NANAKULI, Oahu (KHON2) — Nanakuli High and Intermediate School could be getting a huge new addition to its campus in the next few years.
Plans for the development and construction of a performing arts center are now in the works, with hopes that it will be fully funded and open in the next four to six years.
The estimated total cost of the project is approximately $23 million.
Despite the high toll, this has been a long time coming for the school and its performing arts program, which has been in existence for 35 years.
“We began in 1991 when we had no stage, no facility, we actually had to practice outdoors,” said Robin Kitsu, Co-Director for NHIS’s Performing Arts Center, alongside his daughter Chloe.
The program eventually began to use the school’s cafeteria as a place for practice, and occasionally to host performances. However, while grateful, Kitsu said it still wasn’t ideal, with the lack of AC, constant rearranging of tables, and overall inconvenience not always providing the most optimal of conditions.
“One of the dreams, for years, has been to have an auditorium on campus,” said Kitsu.
Now, it seems like that dream may finally be coming to a reality, with plans for the new center in the first phase of development.
“My daughter and I just looked at each other and we were tearing up because we’re like, oh my gosh, it’s actually happening,” said Kitsu on his reaction to hearing the news.
The hope for the auditorium goes beyond just hosting performances, however. Officials want the building to serve as a symbol for the entire community, all along the West.
“Largely, when you look from Makaha all the way to Kapolei, there’s an absence of a gathering space that allows for large entertainment,” said Representative Darius Kila, of Nanakuli/Maili. “When this is complete, this auditorium can hold almost 500 people, and this will be a world-class facility that belongs right here in the Nanakuli valley.”
“I believe that it will bring pride,” said Kitsu. “Not only to the impact, but to the entire Nanakuli community.
Officials also hope that by building the new location, the practice of the arts will be encouraged, and will give children who need a positive source to put their energy into.
“I think largely when you look at the Waianae coast, you see headlines of youth that are looking and seeking help, but don’t have a place to go,” said Kila, also a Nanakuli resident. “The arts has always been statistically shown to help reduce crime but also keep kids in school.”
While there’s no exact date for the auditorium’s construction yet, Kila says that the plan is to push for earlier.
“How can we get this done both quickly and safely, but also in a way that the community can get something it deserves? So we’re looking for an aggressive timeline,” said Kila.