CPB Foundation Donates $25K to Help Cool Classrooms

Hawai’i’s 3R’s, a non-profit group that aims to Repair, Remodel, and Restore Hawai’i’s public schools, received a $25,000 check from the Central Pacific Bank Foundation to assist with classroom cooling, an issue that has presented itself across the state with special emphasis on Oahu after students started the school year in record-breaking heat conditions.

The Department of Education sent home letters to parents this week about how they can prepare their students for heat conditions with a set of heat-illness related guidelines.

In addition, HIDOE recently requested an exemption to state procurement rules to make an emergency purchase of up to 250 portable AC units to place in high priority classrooms for heat-relief.

“I want to thank Central Pacific Bank Foundation for answering the call to help our schools that are in need of funds to provide heat relief to students,” said Sherry Menor-McNamara, CoC-Hawai’i President & Chief Executive Officer.

“We are encouraged by what is being done to help cool classrooms for our keiki and we are very happy to be a part of this effort,” said Denis Isono, Central Pacific Bank Foundation President.

On Wednesday, schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi and Dann Carlson, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of School Facilities and Support Services, were on hand to accept the check from CPB Foundation with Hawai’i 3R’s representative Edmund Aczon.

“We’re very grateful to the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and CPB Foundation for their support,” said Matayoshi. “This has been a challenging time for our students and staff and we are working as fast as we can within our means to bring relief to our classrooms.”

The DOE is currently working with the legislature to fast-track air conditioning projects and other heat-relief initiatives through its Heat Abatement Program.