GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $1.5 MILLION GRANT TO BUILD BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WINDWARD CLUBHOUSE

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released a $1,500,000 capital improvement project grant that will go toward the building of a permanent Windward Clubhouse for the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i. 

Under a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i and the Department of Education, the facility will be located on the grounds of Kailua Intermediate School.  The state funds will be used to renovate the existing boys locker room in the physical education building into two new locker rooms and showers – one for boys and one for girls.  Other components of the planned Windward Clubhouse include developing a media center, erecting an additional building to house a social recreational facility and covering a portion of the existing basketball courts.

The Clubhouse will be available to youth from all schools on the Windward side of O‘ahu during non-school hours, including afterschool, intersession and holidays.  It will offer youth development programs that emphasize character and leadership development; education, technology and career development; health and life skills; the arts; and sports, fitness and recreation.  During regular school hours, the Windward Clubhouse will be used by Kailua Intermediate’s approximately 650-670 students.

“The Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i plays an important role in helping youth develop the skills and self-confidence they need to become responsible, productive citizens,” said Governor Lingle.  “The State is proud to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i and the many private and community organizations that have generously contributed to the Windward Clubhouse to provide a safe, nurturing place where our youth can grow and learn.”

“This is an extremely exciting opportunity to create an educational experience for young people,” said David Nakada, executive director, Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i.  “By partnering with the State DOE we are able to build a facility and offer a program that will seamlessly create an 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., in-school and afterschool day at Kailua Intermediate School.  We could not have come this far without the visionary leadership and perseverance of Kailua Intermediate School Principal Suzanne Mulcahy,” Nakada added.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $5 million.  The Boys and Girls Club has successfully raised the remaining $3.5 million through private donations from corporations, foundations and individuals.

The Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i operates seven facilities on O‘ahu and two on Kaua‘i where members can access programs and services that guide them to become responsible citizens.  Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” Boys and Girls Club clubhouses and outreach sites provide guidance-oriented character development programs six days a week for children 7-17 years old.  Annual membership is $1.

The Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i is a charter member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and has been operating in Hawai‘i since 1976. The organization touches the lives of nearly 4,800 members and provides services to an additional 5,000 youths each year, many from disadvantaged circumstances.

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