HOLUALOA, Hawaii — Holualoa Elementary School officials are hailing a “complete transformation” of the formerly mold-afflicted campus following extensive renovation work this summer.

What You Need To Know

  • Earlier this year, the Hawaii State Teachers Association drew attention to environmentally unsafe conditions at the school, including rampant mold, aging wooden structures, soiled carpets and rat droppings

  • In response, Senate Majority Leader Dru Kanuha and Gov. Josh Green's administration worked swiftly to appropriate funds for a comprehensive renovation of the 126-year-old school

  • According to the state Department of Education, the renovations were designed to reduce interior environmental conditions conducive to mold growth in Holualoa’s damp and humid climate zone, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet above sea level

  • Sixteen classrooms were overhauled with new tile flooring, interior paint, dehumidifiers and other improvements

“We’ve seen everything from the wall colors change to new flooring, for a whole new atmosphere and environment that our students and our teachers are very fortunate to come back to in this coming school year,” said Principal Kristin Muramoto. “Elementary school is really the foundation for success, and I think the classrooms create a safe and healthy environment where students can learn.”

Earlier this year, the Hawaii State Teachers Association drew attention to environmentally unsafe conditions at the school, including rampant mold, aging wooden structures, soiled carpets and rat droppings. In response, Senate Majority Leader Dru Kanuha and Gov. Josh Green's administration worked swiftly to appropriate funds for a comprehensive renovation of the 126-year-old school.

According to the state Department of Education, the renovations were designed to reduce interior environmental conditions conducive to mold growth in Holualoa’s damp and humid climate zone, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet above sea level.

Sixteen classrooms were overhauled with new tile flooring, interior paint, dehumidifiers and other improvements.

“We’ve repainted the classrooms with mold-inhibiting paints and removed old floor carpeting to promote better air quality,” said Randall Tanaka, assistant superintendent for HIDOE’s Office of Facilities and Operations. “Open windows and fans will help air circulation during the day and dehumidifiers will help to reduce moisture in the air overnight, which will create an environment well-suited for students to learn.”

Ten other office and work spaces were also renovated, covered walkways were power washed and new furniture was installed in several classrooms at an approximate cost of $1.27 million to date.

“Renovations are only the first step and we’re working closely with school leadership teams to encourage the use of fans, air purifiers and dehumidifiers in concert to sustain the extensive classroom renovations into the future,” said Janette Snelling, complex area superintendent for the Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area. “I really want to commend the outreach we had to our community partners and industry partners, who all rallied around the needs of the school and came in on very short notice to get the work done, so that teachers and students could be in refreshed classrooms.”

The renovation is expected to be completed before students return for the new school year in August. Installation of ceiling fans is anticipated during the fall or winter break to improve air circulation.

Holualoa Elementary served 455 students in the last school year in grades pre-K to 5.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.