Churches help with cleanup at Kapa‘a High School

Churches in Kapa‘a have teamed up with the state Department of Education to complete the cleanup and beautification of Kapa‘a High School today — an effort a church leader says will help spur community pride in Kapa‘a.

The project is unique in that it marks the second time in two years church members have volunteered for such a project, according to Matt Higa, a pastor with the New Hope Kaua‘i church.

“We want to bless the school for the community,” Higa said. “We hope to instill pride and hope to bring back the ohana factor to Kapa‘a.”

School administrators were not available for comment Thursday.

Because Kawaihau District, in which the school is located, boasted a small population in the past, finding volunteers for such work was not difficult.

That situation has changed as the district has undergone considerable growth.

Over the past three weeks, volunteers have painted the interior of the school’s cafeteria and are about 90 percent through, Higa said.

Between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. today, volunteers were expected to finish the job. New Hope donated more than $1,000 for paint, Higa said.

During the work today, volunteers, who have been asked to bring their own equipment and tools, cleared weeds and mowed lawns.

Higa said up to 60 volunteers — half from the New Hope Church — were expecetd to come out for the work today. The motivation for the New Hope volunteers is high because they have children attending the school.

Joining the work were members of the Kapa‘a Missionary Church and Calvary Chapel Kaua‘i, workers from Robert’s Kaua‘i and Kapa‘a High School students, including junior varsity football players, cheerleaders and bowling team members from the school, Higa said.

Higa said they were asking for anybody who wants to give back to Kapa‘a to come out. “We want to make it presentable for students coming back after the summer school break.”