Pahoa charter school seeks expansion

By COLIN M. STEWART

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science is looking to expand its online learning program to a facility in Pahala.

The state Public Charter School Commission’s Performance & Accountability Committee on Thursday will discuss a request by the Pahoa-based HAAS to pursue adding a satellite location at Pahala Hongwanji.

The full commission is expected to take up the request at its next meeting in August, and will consider whatever recommendation is made by the committee this week.

In a phone interview Monday, HAAS Principal Steve Hirakami said that the move is an effort to respond to increased interest in the school’s InDigital program.

“We have had a lot of recent demand for our online program, especially in rural areas,” he said. “We’re looking for temporary, or part-time, office space out there (in Pahala). … This would be our only site outside of Pahoa, although we’ve got students taking the classes all over the place, in Kona, Ka‘u, Honokaa.”

The online nature of the HAAS program allows students to attend classes from home and other locations over the Internet, Hirakami said, although students are required to meet with their teacher occasionally for some “face-to-face time,” as well as for testing.

That has meant that students in far away rural areas must make the time and effort to drive in to Pahoa for their face-time sessions. A satellite office in Pahala would save students the trouble, he said.

“We’re wanting to provide our students in one area with a place, rather than taking that long drive,” he said.

According to the request submitted to the Charter School Commission, the HAAS site addition would be effective no sooner than Aug. 1, and could serve up to 35 students during the coming school year.

In light of some concerns within the Pahala community about traffic and safety issues that could arise, Hirakami was careful to note that the program does not currently have 35 Pahala-area students signed up, nor would the building normally see that many students on any given day.

“This is all in an exploratory phase at this point. No commitments have been made, no teachers have been hired. A lot of that is depending on demand. We just have a handful of students in the area at the moment. … Even if we had 35, you’d be lucky to have five out of the 35 at the facility on a given day. It’s all virtual; this is not a traditional brick-and-mortar school,” he said.

A handful of Pahala-area residents had submitted testimony as of Tuesday afternoon for Thursday’s meeting, both opposing and supporting the plan.

Karen Wallis wrote that she and other residents had concerns over the building’s readiness to house such a program, including questioning whether it had been cleared of asbestos and lead paint.

“Has it been inspected for structural integrity, it would be a tragedy if the ceiling collapsed on students. What about a bus for student transportation? Has food service been contracted or is there a cafeteria in place with appropriate staff to man it?” she asked.

“I believe Ka‘u needs more choices but do it right. What happens to students who sign up for this rush job and it fails?”

Hunter Bedgood, who identified himself as a “concerned parent,” wrote that he felt the facility could act as a vital resource for children in the area, stating that “a few biased individuals with their own agenda” were trying to “derail an incredible opportunity for our children.”

“The Hawaii Academy of Art and Science Charter School has a state approved curriculum that has incredible success to reach and equip students,” he wrote. “This and other alternative schools have a much better success rate than the standard public school system … The fact that this is available in our district should be seen as a blessing.”

Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.