September 21, 2014

The major project last week was clearing the rubble from the demolition of our office building. Workers crushed, sorted, piled, and hauled away most of the remains of the building.  I continue to marvel at the machines and how well they are able to do their job so efficiently!  Now that the area has been cleared, work will begin on the new library/media/student center which is scheduled to be completed by summer 2016.

Yesterday was a Saturday, but the workers were on-campus to pour cement for our covered walkway. The intention is to have the walkway ready in time for the rainy season.  We are grateful for this accommodation as the original plans called for the walkway to be completed during the summer. Very soon, those who are 6 feet tall won't have to bend down to avoid hitting their head (smile).

Some of you have asked about the puddling and the muddy area at the entrance to the school.  That area is the responsibility of US Army Garrison, and we continue to work with them to seek a workable solution. Please be patient as we work together to address this problem.

Here are some photos from last week:

Bulldozing the interior first before the exterior can be demolished

This is what's left of our original office building.

Starting to sort the rubble before they're hauled away to be recycled.

Another angle of the rubble . . . 

. . . . and another view

Getting the materials ready to be hauled away

A side view of the classroom building.  Next phase -- putting on the roof.

Take a look at this photo of Hale Kula, circa 1959, when the school was first opened.  Look at how small that tree was back then.  We found this photo when we were moving from the old building to the new one.  It was frayed and needed to be restored before we could enlarge it on canvas.  Costco did a great job!  

Now It's Aloha to Our Office Building

Oh, dear! I didn't update this blog last weekend as I had intended to! It was another big weekend, and the old office building is now demolished. I was present on Saturday when the work started, and it was just amazing to see how they proceeded. That machine went right into the front door and started methodically knocking down walls, ceilings, and everything in its way. The work was efficient and there was definitely a plan on what to tackle first.  As the machine worked inside the building and pushed the materials out through the back where the walls were quickly knocked down, another machine picked up the rubble and placed them into piles. It was truly an educational experience for me! By Monday afternoon, much of the material had been hauled away to be recycled and reused.

Workers continue to prepare the covered walkway, and weather permitting, the concrete will be poured on Saturday.  I know many of our taller staff and parents are wondering if they will have to worry about hitting their head when the walkway is completed. Workers showed me that the height of the walkway will be 7'1" so unless we have someone taller than that, everyone should be okay.

I took videos of the demolition, but for some reason, they aren't loading on this blog.  I wish you could see those videos; it is amazing to see how quickly and skillfully the demolition is completed.

The office was where new families registered to attend Hale Kula and where every staff member signed in each morning.  Now it is gone for good.

All that remains of our office building 

From a different location on Monday morning . . . 

. . . and by Monday afternoon, most of the rubble had been hauled away.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Yesterday, workers demolished the library side of the building.  Today, they worked on the side that housed our technology center.

When I became principal of Hale Kula, that tech center had 12 student computers. Through grants and school funds, we were able to begin upgrading our technology resources at Hale Kula, and today, we have about 2 devices for every 3 students. When the new classroom building is completed in March (hopefully), there will be a tech lab, and the library/media/student center which will be built on the area where buildings are being demolished will also have a media center.

Thank you to kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Schaefer, for taking this photo today of the tech center being demolished.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Well, the first blows have been taken, and the demolition begins.  I wasn't present as I had a full day already planned, but fortunately, other staff members were there and took videos.

Here's a link from the school library website which shows videos as well as photos: http://bit.ly/1pZ0Z2E

Earlier this evening, I got a call from the alarm company so I had a good excuse to go and take some photos. The demolition work is not complete yet; hopefully, they'll be done tomorrow so they can clear the rubble during the week. 

55 years of memories . . . now it's time to make new memories!