The HHK Three Steps Forward capital improvement/expansion project will begin in the Summer of 2021 at the HHK facilities located in Kapaa, Hawaii. The clearing and fencing of the remaining front 9+ acres of land, the construction of a Clearspan building over our arena, and the conversion of a 40 foot shipping container into an off-grid office will enable HHK: to increase equine health and happiness while decreasing feed expenses, thus HHK will be able to obtain additional equines, which will permit an increase of ridership (up to 20%); to improve the comfort and safety of our medically sensitive clients (clients with MS, SCI, TBI, post-stroke, heart disease, and those taking certain medications (anxiety and depression meds) all have difficulty with thermoregulation); and to promote volunteer and instructor retention due to more comfortable working conditions for equines and staff. Outfitting a shipping container with off-grid solar will permit onsite record keeping and lesson planning, hence increasing job satisfaction, improved instructor retention, and increased quality and continuity of care for our clients.
Timeline: Clearing additional acreage of trees and concrete is predicted to take up to a month. The fencing contractor stated he can build 1000+ feet a week. Fencing can begin on the portions already cleared so will overlap with the clearing. Fencing may take up to 2 months to complete. A Clearspan building will ship within 1 month of ordering, we need to allow 2 months for delivery, and another 2 months for construction. Constructing a roof over the 40' shipping container should be completed within a month. Solar installation and wiring for the office should be completed within 1 week. The installation of a botanical riding trail will be an ongoing project. We already have 100+ trees in our plant nursery (Loulu, Lonomea, Wiliwili, Ohia, etc.) and have begun to out plant them in the already cleared portions of the property.
Goals: 1- to improve living conditions and nutrition of our equines.
Obj. 1.1 - Landscaping company will clear approx. 9+ acres of small trees and brush, grinding material to ground level. Mulched material will be left where it falls. (We have previously hired a company to clear 1 acre with grinder - which took 3 days to complete. Grass filled in the chips within 8 weeks.)
Obj. 1.2- Concrete company will remove any concrete debris piles.
Obj. 1.3- Fencing company will install a perimeter hardwire horse fence and interior electric fencing.
Obj. 1.4- A covered arena will keep equines cool and dry
Goal 2- to improve the comfort and safety of our medically sensitive clients.
Obj. 2.1 A Clearspan building will be shipped and constructed by Farmtek-Clearspan utilizing local contractors to cover our existing arena spaces allowing clients to remain cool and dry
Goal 3- to improve the working conditions of our staff and volunteers to promote volunteer and instructor retention.
Obj. 3.1 A Clearspan building will be shipped and constructed allowing staff to remain cool and dry, while also providing consistent scheduling as we would no longer have to cancel or postpone lessons due to weather
Obj. 3.2 Contractor with build an slant roof over our 40' shipping container - permitting the mounting of a solar array, installation of Powerwall battery, and further weather proof the structure.
Obj. 3.3 - Solar Contractor will install solar panels, batteries and wiring for the office permitting onsite record keeping and lesson planning, hence increasing: job satisfaction, instructor retention, and quality and continuity of care for our clients.
Additional Benefits: 1- Kapaa Kuhio Hwy corridor beautification and habitat restoration will also provide better canal drainage (hence decreased mosquito load);
2- ability to increase equine activity offerings to include a veterans program with therapeutic driving, trail riding, and ground work challenge course due to increased cleared space;
3- increased ridership;
3- community enrichment with increased activity offerings;
4- educational media attached to each plant specimen (tags and QR codes) installed along riding trail will include information about “Pono plants” and the responsible use of natural resources;
5- reduced need to purchase mainland produced horse feed thus reducing carbon footprint;
6- increase the amount of riding trails available to residents and visitors.
