Three years after the Ha‘aheo Elementary School in Hilo closed for a $25 million renovation project, teachers are planning to welcome students back to the campus in August.

Read more Lt. Gov. Luke, three alleged co-conspirators plead not guilty

Three years after the Ha‘aheo Elementary School in Hilo closed for a $25 million renovation project, teachers are planning to welcome students back to the campus in August.

The site now includes three new buildings, doubling its previous facility size and adding a new cafeteria, library, computer lab, classrooms, common areas and storage space. The entire school, which first opened in 1888, was also outfitted with air-conditioning and accessibility features.

While construction on a portion of the campus is still ongoing and not expected to be complete until later this year, Ha‘aheo Principal Jennifer Sueoka said she is glad students will be able to return in the meantime.

“I’m excited to have students back, and to hear the students on campus, and to see their faces when they walk on,” she said. “I feel like every staff member, including myself, it felt like coming home … we’re so excited to be home.”

During the construction, students and staff were relocated to Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole Elementary School, about four away in Papaikou. While Sueoka said she is grateful to the school for sharing its facilities, she is eager for her students to have more room for educational activities.

“I think because the learning spaces were so tight all these years, that having adequate space will give way more learning opportunities … ,” she said, adding that it will allow teachers to provide more individualized care and instruction. “One of our big pushes is every kid needs to have the support they need, and now we have the space. It’s so exciting.”

On a recent afternoon, teachers and other staff were busy setting up the space. Sueoka said the upgrades have created a visible boost in morale.

“They are so excited. I feel like they take more ownership now because it’s almost like walking into a new home and redecorating,” she said. “I see they bought all new things, you know, to make their space their home.”

Read more Puna, Ka‘u residents surveyed about energy priorities

Sueoka said that she worked with the state Department of Education to ensure that the school’s culture was reflected and maintained through the project.

Sitting on land that was once kalo fields used to feed King Kamehameha I’s warriors, there are now nods to that history throughout the campus, with kalo designs on all of the signs and room number plaques, as well as a garden at the back of the campus.

Ha‘aheo expects approximately 130 students for the coming school year, up from enrollment over the previous few years, which Sueoka said dipped during the relocation. However, she hopes the renovated site will serve as a draw to families in the community.

“I think once people see the space, they’ll want to come for sure,” she said. “Those that left will probably come back, is my guess.”

Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area Superintendent Kasie Kaleohano said the project has been a collaborative effort driven by a shared vision.

“I think everyone’s intention is the same, and the goal is the same: to bring Ha‘aheo back to its home campus and have the best possible environment for the students who attend the school,” she said. “So, I think because everyone, even those who are not DOE employees — even our contractors and all of our outside services, like transit and whoever has been here — we all have the same goal, and so I think it’s facilitated this process so much better.”

The first day of school for students at Ha‘aheo will be Aug. 5, but families will have an opportunity to get a sneak peak of the campus during the school supply drop-off on Aug. 4.

“Giving the parents an opportunity to come on and walk and take their kids to a class that they’ve never been to before will be nice. We’re excited,” Sueoka said.

Read more Falcons open first training camp under Kevin Stefanski: 5 storylines to watch

Email Grace Inez Adams at [email protected].