The newly rebuilt Mokapu Elementary School in Marine Corps Base Hawaii, has welcomed students to campus with a grand opening.
The Hawaii Department of Education says that the $147 million project on the island of Oahu features modern learning environments and replaces the original campus built in 1960.
The elementary school now has a two-story administration and library building, in addition to a two- and three-story classroom complex. It has 55 classrooms and support spaces with a capacity for nearly 1,000 students.
The new buildings were constructed on an open section of the 14.2-acre campus that was once home to playfields, a running track and outdoor courts.
In the second phase of construction, the old campus will be demolished to make way for a cafeteria, auditorium, covered play courts, a learning courtyard and additional parking.
The project was supported by grants from the Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, which provided about $116.5 million — 80% of the total project cost. Matching state funds covered the remaining 20%.
Mōkapu Elementary is the only public elementary school on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The school primarily serves military-dependent students from Marine families and enrolls more than 780 preK-6 students.
