Cleaning has begun at Holualoa Elementary following several press conferences related to problems with molds, rats and other unsanitary conditions on campus.
“It saddens me that it took a press conference (in February) to spur the DOE into action,” said Holualoa first-grade teacher Courtney D’Agostino, who currently is on medical leave due to long-term mold exposure symptoms. “I have been asking for help and fighting this battle for over 4 months now.”
Principal Glenn Gray on March 8 confirmed that dehumidifiers were purchased and distributed to classrooms, with staff receiving training on how to operate them. He added that hoses also were being installed so they can run continually throughout the night to reduce moisture in classrooms.
Several other updates have been sent out to parents and staff regarding the cleaning effort.
On March 10, the school notified parents that professional cleaning will continue during spring break, mold-inhibiting painting will begin in cleaned spaces, and the school is preparing to reopen P2, a classroom that was of major concern among parents and staff.
An update on Monday said a recently renovated classroom received a set of furniture, power washing and prep had begun for the “breezeway” between classrooms P7 and P8, and painting was underway for the P7 classroom.
On Tuesday, another notification said cleaning was continuing, the painting of the P7 and P8 “breezeway” was almost complete, and painting was in progress for the P7 classroom.
“They need to get the school cleaned up,” said Cherise Hibbard, a parent of a first-grader at Holualoa. “We love the school and the staff, but since August, my son has been absent over half of the instructional days due to respiratory issues. He’s had to undergo X-rays, he’s on two different inhalers, and also an oral steroid. This is in addition to at-home breathing therapy.”
An Indoor Environmental Quality Assessment was completed Jan. 5, which included walk-throughs and visual inspections of classrooms in buildings C and D as well as several portables.
Mold samples were taken in rooms D1, D2, P4 and PB12, and all samples showed the presence of mold spores.
Cladosporium, one of the most common molds associated with soil, was predominant, while low levels of Ascospores and Basidiospores were also detected. In three of the four tape-lift tests performed to test for mold, Aspergillus/Penicillium spores also were detected. These can be associated with Type I allergies such as hay fever and asthma.
“The situation calls for additional and more comprehensive mold testing,” said Hawaii State Teachers Association President Osa Tui Jr. following the assessment. “The first round of mold testing happened only because teachers insisted, and (DOE) officials used Scotch tape and plastic baggies from a teacher to take and preserve the samples. Teachers are concerned the samples were not gathered using best practices or strategically because the samples came from a handful of classrooms and not from those that might have more serious mold issues.”
The assessment noted “options for addressing mold issues at Holualoa Elementary are constrained by logistical, operational and procurement issues,” but provided some “near-term” recommendations. These included favoring cross-ventilation in all rooms during school hours by opening windows, turning on ceiling fans, and procuring dehumidifiers.
Hawaii County legislators addressed concerns about the school during a “West Hawaii Talk Story” livestream on March 9, hosted by Sen. Tim Richards, Sen. Dru Kanuha and other state representatives.
“We have been working really closely with DOE and the Department of General Services to address a lot of these issues that have been plaguing Holualoa for a long time,” Kanuha said during the livestream.
Gov. Josh Green, who said he lived in Holualoa for two years, acknowledged the school’s need for support and said he would make it a priority.
“This thing obviously got out ahead of what was acceptable,” Green said during the livestream. “I’m an unusual kind of emeritus legislator from our community and therefore a superally, and that usually means I’m going to approve those things and release those monies the minute that it hits my desk.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.