`Aikahi Elementary School

Dear Aikahi Friends and Family,

I would like to address concerns you may have about our playground. Recently our playground was audited by the Department of Education’s Auxiliary Services Branch following federal standards and guidelines. The primary safety concerns brought up in the audit were the tires, playground surface, and telephone poles. A follow up review also determined that the large rocks were also a hazard.

The tire, telephone pole, and rock hazards could be eliminated only by removing them from the playground, which we did last week. The playground surface hazard was addressed by over 50 volunteers who came to the playground on July 26 to help sift and replace the playground surface with Maui dune sand. At this time the surface is considered adequate for our playground equipment. A regular maintenance schedule is being put into place to ensure that the surface stays within compliance.

I want you to know that I am sensitive to the sentimental value that many of you have for the playground. It is unique and has provided thousands of hours of enjoyment for our students. But, it was necessary for our students' safety to remove certain pieces. As the playground stands now we have more playground equipment on our campus than most schools, if not all of the schools, in the state. Yes, there are some empty spaces on the ground where the tires and poles once stood. I believe these spaces are an opportunity to bring in new and exciting equipment that is low maintenance and safe.

The Aikahi Community has always come together to solve problems and to make dreams come true for our students. I believe that same spirit will enable us to rebuild a unique playground that will inspire our students to play, create and imagine. I invite you to volunteer in our regularly scheduled playground clean ups. The schedule and future plans for the playground will be posted on our school site at aikahi.net.

Sincerely,

Gay Kong
Principal

*A PDF version of the letter is attached below.