Most Hawaiʻi public schools to reopen Tuesday following Hurricane Lala

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) will resume normal operations at most public schools statewide on Tuesday, Aug. 18, following post-storm campus assessments and recovery efforts. All state and complex area offices will reopen on Tuesday. 

All public schools on Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokai and Lānaʻi will reopen to students and staff.
Some schools on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island will remain closed to students Tuesday as crews continue addressing storm-related health and safety issues, utility service and other conditions affecting campus operations.

At some of these campuses, staff will report to work to continue preparations for reopening. Families and staff are being notified directly.

Throughout Monday, school leaders, facilities personnel and designated staff assessed campuses, restored operations and prepared facilities for the safe return of students and employees. Power and other utility service has gradually been restored to affected campuses.

As of 6 p.m. Monday, HIDOE had received approximately 100 storm-related work orders statewide — 80 on O‘ahu and 28 on neighbor islands.

HAWAI‘I ISLAND

Following announcements by Gov. Josh Green and Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda, all Hawaiʻi Island public schools will remain closed to students Tuesday. Employees will report unless their school is among those identified below as closed to both students and staff.
The following schools will be closed to students and staff Tuesday while health and safety issues are addressed:

• Keonepoko Elementary
• Mountain View Elementary
• Pāhoa Elementary
• Pāhoa High & Intermediate
• Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary

Previously announced extended closures for students and staff also remain in effect:

• Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School — closed through Thursday, Aug. 20
• Nāʻālehu Elementary School — closed through Thursday, Aug. 20

O‘AHU

The majority of Oʻahu public schools will reopen to students and staff Tuesday.
The following schools will remain closed to students and staff Tuesday while health and safety issues are addressed:

• Daniel K. Inouye Elementary
• Kaʻaʻawa Elementary
• Lāʻie Elementary
• Pearl City High

However, if power is restored and conditions allow, these schools may reopen. Families and staff will be notified directly of any changes. 

The following schools will be closed to students Tuesday, with school staff reporting to work:
Honolulu/East Oʻahu

• Kalihi Kai Elementary
• King Liholiho Elementary
• King William C. Lunalilo Elementary
• Linapuni Elementary
• Niu Valley Middle

Windward Oʻahu

• ʻĀhuimanu Elementary
• ʻAikahi Elementary
• Hauʻula Elementary
• Kalāheo High
• Mōkapu Elementary

Central Oʻahu

• ʻAiea Elementary
• Helemano Elementary
• Pearl Harbor Elementary
• Major Sheldon Wheeler Elementary
• Major Sheldon Wheeler Middle
• 1SG Samuel K. Solomon Elementary

West Oʻahu

• Iroquois Point Elementary
• Waiʻanae Elementary
• Waiʻanae High
• Waiʻanae Intermediate

HIDOE facilities teams will continue assessing affected campuses and completing work necessary to safely reopen schools. Families at schools that remain closed to students will receive reopening updates directly from their schools and through official HIDOE communication channels.
The Department recognizes that some students, families and employees continue to experience storm impacts in their homes and communities. We appreciate their patience and understanding, as well as the work of school employees, facilities crews, utility workers, first responders and emergency management partners throughout the response and recovery.