Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School rolls out 2 new buses

The students at Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School rolled into the first day of school in style in two new state-of-the-art school buses made possible by philanthropist and long-time Hawai’i Island residents, Marc and Lynne Benioff. 

The $500,000 gift makes a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to equitable access to education, helping to eliminate transportation barriers for students across Kawaihae Hawaiian Homes to Lakeland. 

The donation provided the full funding for the purchase and shipment of the 80-passenger Thomas-built buses from California, replacing an aging fleet and expanding the school’s capacity to serve more students safely and reliably. 

Janice English, principal of Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School, expressed her gratitude for the support: “Free transportation for our families provides invaluable support for our vision of being a place of infinite possibilities.”

The busses have onboard safety cameras and GPS tracking to enhance route planning and reliability. And, they have air conditioning.

The school also is excited that these buses will support place-based learning. Each grade level will now be able to participate in huakaʻi (cultural and environmental excursions) that connect classroom learning to the land and community.

Over the years, the Benioffs have contributed more than $250 million to philanthropic causes on Hawai‘i Island and across the state to address health care, education and affordable housing needs, including nearly $10 million supporting teachers with classroom resources, healthcare tools, and enriched learning experiences through the nonprofit DonorsChoose.

Last June, the Benioffs donated an additional 158 acres to a Hilo-based nonprofit developing affordable housing at ʻŌuli in Waimea.

Marc Benioff is the Chair, CEO and co-founder of Salesforce, an enterprise software company.

“Every child deserves access to a great education,” the Benioffs said in a statement. “We’re inspired by the dedication of the educators and families at Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School and grateful for the opportunity to support their work.”

Parent Marvalee Carvalho said the buses “supports the needs of so many ʻohana.”

She adds that the complimentary transportation provides working parents peace of mind, “relieving the burden of figuring out how to get to school.”

The buses began picking up students last week, with a blessing ceremony was held in front of the Z-building.