DRAFT

STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
FINANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, March 7, 2024

PRESENT:
Ken Kuraya, Chairperson
Bill Arakaki
Kaimana Barcarse
Warren Haruki
Lauren Moriarty
Kahele Dukelow, ex officio

EXCUSED:
Makana McClellan

ALSO PRESENT:
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Curt Otaguro, Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Department of Education
Audrey Hidano, Interim Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Facilities and Operations, Department of Education
Capsun Poe, Board Executive Director
Wimmie Wong Lui, Board Analyst
Lady Garrett, Secretary


I. Call to Order

Committee Chairperson Ken Kuraya called the Finance and Infrastructure Committee (“Committee”) Meeting to order at 9:52 a.m.


II. Approval of Meeting Minutes of February 8, 2024

ACTION: Motion to approve the Finance and Infrastructure Committee’s February 8, 2024, meeting minutes. (Barcarse/Arakaki). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.


III. Discussion Items

Committee Chairperson Kuraya called on Curt Otaguro, Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Department of Education, and Audrey Hidano, Interim Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Facilities and Operations to provide an update on the status of schools’ fire alarm systems.

Otaguro stated that the Department is working to actively address various aspects relating to school fire alarm systems and completed an inventory of 258 schools. The Department will provide more resources including checklists for schools to strengthen the fire watch plans which are a top priority. The Department implemented a new oversight system and emphasized that due to the urgency of repairs issues need to be addressed with vendors Johnson Controls and Phoenix Pacific.

Committee Chairperson Kuraya called for public testimony on this agenda item. No public testimony was provided.

Committee members received written testimony before the meeting. (A listing of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting is included at the end of these minutes.)

Committee Member Barcarse asked for clarification on the monthly updates, timeline, and costs so that there are working fire alarms in all schools. Otaguro replied that the Department will provide monthly information and noted that regarding the aging systems, the team is analyzing the information. He noted that regarding costs, the Department is working on 25 active projects, with an amount of about $2 million per school as a rough average to perform proactive replacements, and expressed concern with capacity issues due to limited available vendors to complete the work.

Committee Member Haruki referenced page 2 and asked if the Department can consider an addressable system and suggested that the next report include examining how to move to addressable systems instead of just replacing old technology. He also suggested reviewing statute waivers that may help with fire alarm system upgrades to expedite replacement of systems.

Committee Chairperson Kuraya stated that inoperable could reference the whole system or a part of the system that may need to be replaced or repaired. He suggested that in future reports, it should be noted which ones are repairable versus replacement, obsolete versus discontinued and whether parts are salvageable. Otaguro clarified that inoperable fire alarm system information will be provided. Hidano referenced the colors of the fire alarm report. Committee Chairperson Kuraya stated that the list provides an understanding of where the Department stands at this point.

Otaguro stated that the Department needs to work on the procurement process. Committee Member Haruki noted that the Department should provide specific information relating to the inoperable systems when issuing requests for proposals.

Board Member Kahele Dukelow, Ex Officio suggested that the Department reach out to the University of Hawaii relating to the effectiveness of addressable fire alarm system updates including large companies with control over fire systems.

Committee Chairperson Kuraya called on Otaguro and Hidano to provide a review of the status of Department capital improvement projects (CIP).

Otaguro stated that the Department continues to work with the legislature on CIP and the lapsed projects. He referenced that currently there are 1,076 projects which represent $1.2 billion in appropriations and outlined the staffing challenges in the facilities development branch.

Committee Chairperson Kuraya called for public testimony on this agenda item. No public testimony was provided.

Committee Member Haruki referenced the encumbrance deadline for $1.2 billion in appropriations and expressed concern that there are three months left and the Department only completed $42 million during the summer. Otaguro stated that the amount is big but there are significant projects and the plan is to request for an exception to the lapse date. Hidano explained that there are large projects but the Department should also be doing work that campuses need such as upgrades to electric and covered walkways. Committee Member Haruki expressed concern that due to the time crunch basic needs will be placed on hold in exchange for gigantic projects.

Committee Member Moriarty asked what two policy decisions is the Department looking at. Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, stated that the Department needs to revise processes to prioritize projects relating to health and safety. Committee Member Moriarty shared about her previous experience developing purposeful designs for construction projects and encouraged the Department to find standard solutions. Otaguro expressed support for the concept and establishing standards.

Committee Chairperson Kuraya suggested information be provided to include whether projects are funded, unfunded, encumbered or deferred so the Board understands which projects will move forward or be deferred.
IV. Adjournment

Committee Chairperson Kuraya adjourned the meeting at 11:03 a.m.

List of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting


NAME
Organization
Agenda Item
Laurel BruceIII.A. Update on status of schools’ fire alarm systems