Foundation Joins KOK Effort To Win $40 Mil

Phyllis Ida

It’s a gift given to grab greater grants: Harold K.L. Castle Foundation has awarded $20,000 to Kamalapua O Ko’olau to facilitate an attempt to win $40 million in preschool-development money from the federal government.

“We’re grateful to Castle Foundation,” stated Kaneohe’s Phyllis Ida, project coordinator for KOK and Windward District’s P-3 programs (pre-kindergarten through third grade). “The federal grant would mean more district preschool classrooms, qualified teachers, educational assistants and trainings.”

KOK is working with the state Executive Office on Early Learning to win the grant, which would bring in $40 million for Hawaii over four years — with $4 million going directly to the Windward district annually — to enhance learning for P-3 public school students. Ida has spearheaded the nationwide initiative via KOK on behalf of Windward classrooms. KOK is composed of area families, early childhood groups and kindergarten programs.

This wouldn’t be the first big-money grant awarded to Castle-Kahuku Complex students in the 13 district schools that participate in P-3 activities. Ida also was instrumental in obtaining $1.1 million for the district via a four-year grant that “positively impacted 3,000 children” before funding ended in June.

For more information on the early learning effort, visit kamalapuaokoolau.com.