Kamehameha Elementary School Renovation

In 2016, Ferraro Choi was retained by Kamehameha Schools to assist with the renovation of the Nahienaena, Kanekapolei, Keolaokalani and Kuiheilani buildings which comprise the 25,000 SF upper portion of its Elementary School at the Kapalama Campus. The buildings were originally designed by Merrill Simms & Roehrig and constructed by Walker-Moody Construction in 1954 and are connected by covered breezeways and lanais. One exterior wall of each building was adorned with ceramic tiles with Hawaiian kapa patterns produced by the 1957 and 1958 kindergarten art students. The four building complex is eligible for both the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

Although designed for natural cross ventilation, air conditioning was added in 1987 as part of a Kamehameha Schools modernization program.
The project involved a total gut of the classroom interiors except for air conditioning which was left in place. Interior improvements included power, lighting, finishes, storage walls behind sliding teaching panels and new flexible furniture systems. Exterior improvements included new storefronts with sliding glass doors at classroom entries, re-roofing and new exterior paint.

Completed in 2017, the project delivered refreshed, comfortable and flexible classrooms reflective of Kamehameha School’s transition to a 21st Century Learning environment compatible with its World-Class Hawaiian Culture-Based Education objectives.