NATIONAL PLAYGROUND SAFETY WEEK —
2007 John Preston Playground Safety Award

Congratulations to Hawaii Department of Education

Congratulations to the Hawaii Department of Education on being this year’s recipient of the John Preston Playground Safety Award. The Hawaii Department of Education hosted NPPS’s Playground Safety School in 1999. Since that time, Hawaii’s Deparment of Education, especially the facilities division, has

  • Assessed all of the state’s playground equipment, surfacing, and accessibility on all elementary schools
  • Removed all unsafe and noncompliant equipment.
  • Developed an age-appropriate equipment replacement program.
  • Developed and distributed a playground safety video and curriculum linked to Hawaii DOE content Standards to all schools with playgrounds.
  • Designated a playground safety specialist to coordinate the statewide installation, maintenance, repair, and inventory of all DOE playgrounds.
  • Partnered with the Hawaii State Legislature to get funds for replacement of playground equipment and provide safety training.
  • Incorporated regular playground inspections for each playground.
  • Installed playground safety signage for each play area.

NPPS applauds the work of the Hawaii Department of Education! Your dedication to the future of Hawaii’s children is remarkable!

Photo Names (L to R): Randy Moore, Asst Superintendent; Monica Kaui Baron, Auxiliary Services Branch Director; Giblert Chun, Deputy Superintendent; Clayton Fujie; Ken Kajihara (missing)