Providing Essential
Classroom Cooling
And Hepa Filtration
For Hawaii's Students
Keep Our Kids Kool
Transforming Hawaiian Classrooms: Introducing Kool Skools Hawaii
Aloha! I'm Craig Chapman, and my wife, Ipolani, and I, as kama’aina, are strong advocates for Hawaiian education. We have seen firsthand the struggles our grandchildren face in excessively hot classrooms, returning home with lingering viruses that make them sick. The burden on faculty and staff is also considerable, as they are expected to teach under less-than-ideal conditions.
Classrooms across Hawaii have long been subject to extreme heat, creating conditions that facilitate the spread of various viruses. Promises of effective cooling solutions that once seemed hopeful have unfortunately not materialized. In 2016, $120 million was allocated to address this critical issue, yet little to no progress has been made since then. A staggering $25 million was spent on consultants, but crucial matters such as viruses, dust, mold, and clean air were conspicuously absent from their agenda. The lack of measurable results, accountability, and relief for our students is truly disheartening.
Kool Skools Hawaii exists to change that—right now. Our community-driven solution delivers portable cooling and HEPA-14 air purification at zero cost to the DOE. It’s not the permanent fix, but it’s an immediate relief solution that our children and educators deserve.
Why Our Mission Matters
Several key motivations underpin the initiative: the Department of Education has acknowledged flawed management practices and admitted it cannot account for over $120 million in funding. Meanwhile, our students are enduring sweltering environments that threaten their health. The harsh reality is that the Department of Education estimates that the electrical upgrades required for permanent air conditioning installations will exceed $125,000 in more than 40% of classrooms in Hawaii—far beyond existing budgets.
At the same time, the critical need for cool, clean, virus-free air has been overlooked; poor ventilation only worsens the spread of germs, colds, flu, and other illnesses. Research shows that more than 65% of illnesses that keep students home originate in the classroom.
If We Don't Fix This, Who Will?
It has become our kuleana to address this urgent matter. In response, we have created KoolSkoolsHawaii.org as a proactive initiative to transform our learning environments.
Our community solution supplies 25 portable desktop cooling units per classroom and four HEPA-13 purifiers, providing five air changes per hour (ACH) for air purification at no cost to the Department of Education. Kool Skools is an immediate relief solution that our children and educators genuinely deserve.
Providing Essential Classroom
Cooling For Hawaii's Students
Our mission is simple: to offer an affordable cooling solution combined with HEPA-13 air purification units that can be quickly deployed and maintained, ensuring classrooms remain comfortable and healthy. At the same time, we await long-term funding and foresight from the Department of Education.
This may not be the final solution, but it is the right one for now. Every child deserves a cool, clean, and healthy learning environment. Your sponsorship will directly improve classroom air quality and enhance student well-being, making a tangible difference in their daily educational experience.
Equity is embedded in the program design, benefiting all students.
Operational Details
Each classroom costs $3,000 to equip, and we are seeking ten sponsors to help fund each classroom, with each sponsor contributing $300. This package includes four HEPA-13 air purifiers and 25 desktop cooling units, each with a 20,000 mAh external battery pack that attaches to the student’s desk.
Join us in supporting the Kool Skools Hawaii kuleana Initiative. Your contribution will help lower daily energy costs and significantly improve classroom learning conditions and student wellness.
Design Features for Hawai'i's Schools
These cooling units and programs are specifically tailored for the Hawai’i school environment. The units operate quietly and draw low DC power from USB-C rechargeable batteries, minimizing strain on the electrical infrastructure. Units are portable, desk-friendly, and at 18” away, directed at the student, deliver immediate comfort and clean air regardless of the RH (relative humidity).
The program includes a freezer system for daily rotation of ice cartridges to maintain optimal cooling efficiency.
This initiative is a collaboration between Kool Skools Hawaii and Ha Ike Hawaii, a B Corporation focused on student wellness.
Together, with your invaluable support, we have the power to ignite transformative change that will resonate for generations to come!
Let's Make This Happen; NOW!
