STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
FINANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, October 31, 2024


PRESENT:
Ken Kuraya, Chairperson
Elynne Chung, Vice Chairperson
Kahele Dukelow
Wesley Lo
Roy Takumi, Ex Officio
Bill Arakaki, Ex Officio

EXCUSED:
Mary Hattori

ALSO PRESENT:
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Randolph Moore, Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Department of Education
Audrey Hidano, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Facilities and Operations, Department of Education
Ethan Yang, Board Student Representative
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 10:04 a.m.

II. Update on status of schools’ fire alarm systems Committee Chairperson Kuraya called on Randolph Moore, Deputy Superintendent of Operations, to provide an update on the status of schools’ fire alarm systems.

Moore outlined the status of schools’ fire alarm systems and noted that three schools have been removed from the manual fire watch list Kainalu Elementary School, Kapalama Elementary School, and Konawaena Elementary School. Fifteen schools have been successfully removed from the fire watch list as a result of fire alarm system repairs or replacements since April 2024. The Department is responsible for 266 schools including conversion charter schools and replacement costs totaling $2.5 million per school and there are replacement parts that are no longer available.

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

Committee Member Lo noted that the capital budget comes from a couple of buckets and asked if fire alarms will be included in the health and safety category. Moore confirmed that fire alarms will be from the health and safety category of funds. Committee Member Lo acknowledged that the Department needs to catch up but the systems are already old.

Committee Member Dukelow asked how the Department will prioritize how to address the inoperable systems and asked what the plan to move forward is. Moore replied that part of the priority determination is based on how well a system is performing which may not relate to the overall age of the system. He explained that the age, history, and environment of a fire alarm system need to be considered for fire alarm systems.

Committee Member Dukelow asked how many years it will take till the Department can focus on maintenance of fire alarm systems. Moore replied that the issue relates to being on top of the problem and if there is adequate funding from the legislature to address the issue. Committee Member Dukelow acknowledged the issues relating to funding.

Committee Member Lo asked if there is consideration to do more catch-up then start to get into a normal cycle since in the long run it will be easier if this is a known request for funding.

Committee Vice Chairperson Chung asked for clarification on the wearable devices being used at fire watch schools. Moore explained that there are two wearable devices which include a panic type button to alert the office that action is required on a subscription basis.

Board Member Bill Arakaki, Ex Officio, expressed appreciation for the update and asked if there are areas of more feasible systems or alternatives to traditional fire alarm systems. Moore replied that as technology evolves there may be better solutions but it is hard to tell.

Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, stated that in an effort to be more proactive the Department is looking to identify smart systems to help alert staff to issues so that the Department knows beforehand if a system is breaking.

Committee Chairperson Kuraya expressed appreciation for the upgrades that have been made to fire alarm systems. He acknowledged the staff for their work and applauded the City and County who has offered to push permitting approval forward. Committee Chairperson Kuraya requested that the Department continue to update the Board and expressed hope that the nine schools with inoperable systems will become zero.

Committee Member Dukelow asked if the schools in red with system replacement are dates based on availability of funding or has contracts been secured. Moore confirmed that contracts are secured for the system replacements.


III. Adjournment

Committee Chairperson Kuraya adjourned the meeting 10:27 a.m.

List of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting


NAME
Organization
Agenda Item
Ren MII. Updates on status of schools’ fire alarm systems
Jemima TitaniaII. Updates on status of schools’ fire alarm systems
Chelsea PangII. Updates on status of schools’ fire alarm systems