Bishop Museum gave a special welcome today to the students, parents and staff of Central Union Church Preschool & Kindergarten who were displaced when fire destroyed much of their Makiki facility.

From 9 a.m. to noon, the museum offered free admission to the group.

"While this is a challenging time for those affected by the fire, Bishop Museum offers an educational and fun environment for the preschoolers to come to and for the staff to enjoy as they continue to work on learning opportunities for the keiki," Bishop Museum President & CEO Timothy Johns said in a news release.

School officials said parts of the school are being moved to temporary facilities at the church in expectation of reopening on Monday.

Police have said the fire that caused more than $100,000 damage to a 104-year-old wooden building that houses the school was deliberately set.

Police classified the case as an arson based on evidence of forced entry and an interior search, indicating a burglary. The fire began in the trash can of a restroom, police said.

The fire gutted three classrooms, an office, store room and the teachers lounge and displaced 48 preschool and kindergarten students. The fire also destroyed most of the school's archives.

The thieves were unable to open a fireproof office safe containing proceeds from the school's recent fair, police said.