Governor Neil Abercrombie been a strong supporter of various state lawmaker’s suggestions to lease out public school land to private companies in an effort to generate additional revenue. Abercrombie has pointed out that on average, the typical public school is 65 years old, and it currently costs tax payers approximately $210 million per year to maintain.
Waikiki community leaders, however, are concerned that it would be their schools that would be the first to be targeted, based upon their excellent location and the high desirability of their land. Jefferson Elementary, for example, sits on 15 acres of land directly across from the Honolulu Zoo on Kapahalu Avenue and is just a few short blocks to the ocean. Waikiki and Ala Wai elementary schools are also located on excellent parcels. The state Department of Education has not identified which schools may be redeveloped, but Assistant Superintendent Raymon L’Heureux has acknowledged that several private companies have inquired about Jefferson, Waikiki and Ala Wai elementary. L’Heureux stated, “All schools are candidates at this point. They’ve got mineral rights in Colorado. In Hawaii, we’ve got real estate.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-25-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
