LIHU’E — Normally, the act of acquiring permits for establishment of a new private school doesn’t generate much controversy. But when county officials place what may be a several-hundred-thousand-dollar burden on the school’s landowner to improve water lines in order
LIHU’E — Normally, the act of acquiring permits for establishment of a new private school doesn’t generate much controversy.
But when county officials place what may be a several-hundred-thousand-dollar burden on the school’s landowner to improve water lines in order for the project to move forward, conflict arises.
The Aloha Montessori International School received permits from the Kaua’i Planning Commission yesterday, but a county Department of Water requirement to expand a water line to the property might be enough to scuttle the project.
Roland Sagum, a consultant on the project, thanked commissioners for the approvals, but said complying with the Department of Water requirement will drive up the cost of the project and be an “expensive burden.”
An existing eight-inch water line currently runs mauka to makai from Waimea Canyon Drive to the project site. To comply with fire-protection requirements of the county, Kikiaola Land Company, because it is a co-sponsor of the project, is required to replace that line with a 12-inch line.
Sagum said Department of Water officials have plans and capital-improvement funds to replace the pipes.
But he said he was told by DOW officials that Kikiaola leaders would have to swallow the cost for the project if the school opens before the conversion of the pipes can be accomplished by DOW workers.
Sagum said government should do more to help communities like Waimea.
“The use of the school is urgent. Everything Kikiaola has built, there is a community purpose behind it,” Sagum said. “Government needs to be doing more of its part to help us along.”
Linda Fayé Collins, president of Kikiaola Land Co. Ltd., accompanied Sagum to the meeting, and voiced similar concerns.
Sagum said Kikiaola officials want to be a responsible land developers, and would provide matching funds for the upgrade.
Sagum said the government could help Kikiaola leaders out by allowing the developer to tap into another line in the area, rather than upgrading the other line.
“It (the other line) runs from Kekaha, along Kaumuali’i Highway, and we are part of that system,” Sagum said. “It would work for the project.”
A new Montessori school is to be built on the grounds of Waimea Plantation Cottages, to provide more educational opportunities for West Kaua’i children.
At its meeting at the Lihu’e Civic Center yesterday, the Kaua’i Planning Commission approved a proposal by Kikiaola Land Company Ltd., the owner of the 56 former plantation homes that have been converted for visitor use, and Aloha Montessori International School of Kaua’i, to open the school.
Both parties had sought a use permit, a Class IV Zoning permit and a Special Management Area permit for the project.
A key part of the project calls for the renovation and restoration of the historic Mana Store building, which figures to be the main school building.
The former store served West Kaua’i residents for generations, and was moved from Mana to Waimea in the 1980s.
Plans call for strengthening the building’s floor, and construction of a covered entry.
The new school will be located on 24,000 square feet, could accommodate up to 24 students, and would employ two certified teachers and a teacher’s aide.
Other parts of the project include a paved walkway, a fenced play area and playground area.
The school’s focus is to encourage children to develop academic, social and life skills, and is based on an educational approach promoted by Maria Montessori, an early-20th-century Italian physician and educator.
Staff Writer Lester Chang may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net.
