A real neighborhood is more than a place to hang your hat. As the redevelopers of Kaka'ako have observed, the goal is to make the community a place to live, work, play and learn.

Increasingly, private companies have been working cooperatively with public schools to help bring the play-and-learn component into the community picture.

That approach seems to have potential for Kaka'ako as well, The Hawai'i Community Development Authority is contemplating ways of helping McKinley High School fulfill its own long-standing plan to enhance its athletic facility, a potential community asset.

The school is creating a master plan for its complex, which with outside help could transform into a natural health, fitness and social magnet for Kaka'ako.

HCDA participation is in the most preliminary talking stages, but the talk so far sounds good. Officials are hoping to pitch in agency funds to help upgrade the ailing track and football field, resurfacing it with all-weather artificial turf. The McKinley students would have use of it for school needs, but it would become available for the community as well.

Second, they hope to attract a private or nonprofit athletic club to open nearby, a place that could supplement the athletic facilities available to adults and youth.

Finally, the search is on for a nonprofit that could run a fitness program for teens, one that combines athletic training with guidance to help prospective college athletes navigate admissions and financial aid requirements — an obstacle course in its own right.

This discussion is happening in the midst of other promising school-community partnerships. The Roosevelt Stadium improvement effort, for example, has admirably paired outside support with state appropriations and fundraising by the parents and alumni.

And the ongoing public-private partnerships network known as Hawaii 3R's (www.hawaii3rs.com) has accelerated upgrades of schools' athletics and academic facilities very successfully.

Reproducing that model in Kaka'ako represents the best strategy for creating a dynamic community. The planning deserves support and participation from all who hope to benefit.