The Maui News

Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset members delivered 61 refurbished used computers to Princess Nahienaena Elementary School on Saturday morning.

Club member Katie Zimmerman, who served as project chair, said the computers were donated by the community and refurbished by the club.

“We heard that there was a need at Princess (Nahienaena Elementary) for kids who did not have computers at home,” Zimmerman said. “As a club, we felt we could meet that need. Our goal was 90, and we will continue to collect until we meet our goal.”

School Principal Rebecca Winkie said the computers were much appreciated. 

“I think it is amazing, the efforts they go to,” Winkie said. “They rise up and see what they can do to help the school. We have loaners, but these will be given to families.”

The computers were first dropped off at a donation site at Moku Roots restaurant in Lahaina and then refurbished by club member and “computer guru” George Gordon, who cleaned, sanitized and loaded the necessary programs for students.

Gordon said the haul included MacBook Pros, iPads, tablets and PC’s. A few were “really old” and could not be salvaged, but the rest have a chance to make a difference in the lives of students and families as they deal with distance learning necessitated by the threat of COVID-19.