The state Department of Education has expressed their concern that no new schools have been planned for the Kakaako neighborhood, despite plans by the city to grow that community significantly over the next 25 years. Currently there are approximately 12,000 residents living in Kakaako, but with over 22 new condominium towers planned for the neighborhood, it is estimated that about 50,000 people will live there by 2030. Currently, there are two elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school in the general area, though four of them are actually officially outside of the Kakaako neighborhood boundaries. To make matters even more challenging, both elementary schools that serve the neighborhood, Royal School and Queen Kaahumanu Elementary, are currently at maximum capacity.
According to Department of Education officials, normally when a developer decides to build a new community, the developer is required to provide land for a new school and put money towards the school's construction. However, the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which is the state agency responsible for regulating the redevelopment of the Kakaako neighborhood, has no such requirements for the area's two largest developers, Howard Hughes Corp. and Kamehameha Schools. This may mean that the Department of Education would be responsible for finding a school site and paying for the school's construction.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 7-18-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
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