HAWAII DELEGATION ANNOUNCES $33.2 MILLION FOR HALE KULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Senator Brian Schatz, Representative Colleen Hanabusa, and Representative Tulsi Gabbard announced today that Hale Kula Elementary School will receive $33.2 million for renovation and repairs. The U.S. Department of Defense today awarded $26.6 million in funding for the school while the Hawaii Department of Education has pledged to award the school an additional $6.6 million in matching funds.

The federal funds come from a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Defense for schools on military bases around the country. Hale Kula, a public school located on Oahu’s Schofield Barracks Army Installation, serves a student population comprised of 98% military dependent children. The grant will help the school make critical facility improvements in order to address student overcrowding. Project groundbreaking is expected to begin this summer.

“When men and women serve in our military, their children serve too,” said Senator Hirono. “This much needed funding will help ensure the children of families stationed at Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield can learn in a school with facilities that meet their needs. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will work closely with the Department of Defense and base leaders to ensure other public schools on Hawaii military bases will be considered for these grants.”

“I’m pleased to announce these critical funds for Hale Kula Elementary so that children of military families have the tools they need and are in the best atmosphere possible to receive a quality education while their parents are making sacrifices for this country,” said Senator Brian Schatz. “I will continue to work with our entire delegation, state and federal agencies to ensure that Hawaii’s schools continue to receive the necessary funds so that our children can compete with children across the country.”  

“Maintaining readiness in our armed services means caring for not only our military personnel, but also their families. I want to thank the Department of Defense for continuing to invest in Hawaii’s military families, and the education of Hawaii’s children. Particularly in light of our nation’s current budget situation, I am proud to see the DOD acknowledging its wider role in serving our country,” said Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.

“Hawai‘i’s students are our most valuable resources. A safe and productive learning environment is essential in setting them up for success. The $33.2 million in funds announced by the Departments of Defense and Education today will go a long way to address serious over-crowding and building deficiencies at Hale Kula Elementary,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.