Gov. David Ige on Tuesday released $3.6 million in capital improvement project funds for the design and construction of a covered play court at Kohala Middle School.
Rep. David Tarnas, D-North Kona, Kohala, said the project is a priority for the school because it currently has no on-campus space that can hold all of its students at once.
“A covered play court will provide many benefits to the Kohala Middle School community,” he said in a press release. “This facility will allow the Middle School students to play outside in all weather, especially Kohala’s rainy days. It will also provide the school with a flexible space for creative projects, school gatherings, and celebrations.”
According to the state Department of Education, 190 students are enrolled in grades 6 to 8 this academic year at the Kapaau campus.
“Thank you to all who have worked so hard to make this dream come true,” said Kohala Middle School Principal Alan Brown. “It will be so nice to have a place where the whole student body can sit in one place and it will provide a dry space for PE classes in all weather.”