600 work orders filed at Hawaiʻi public schools following Hurricane Lala

As staff returned to campuses Tuesday and assessments continued, additional storm-related damage was identified and reported, bringing HIDOE’s statewide preliminary total to more than 600 work orders as of noon — 360 on Oʻahu, 81 on Hawai‘i Island and 175 across all other islands. Reports range from downed trees and damaged roofs to water intrusion, electrical issues and other facility impacts.

Public schools are also expected to reopen Wednesday, except for individual campuses that cannot operate safely because of storm-related damage, road closures or other local conditions.

Nāʻālehu Elementary School and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School will remain closed through Thursday, Aug. 20, because of storm-related damage to the campus and classrooms, as well as road closures affecting safe access.

On Tuesday, most public schools reopened to students, while staff returned to other campuses to continue assessments and preparations for reopening. 

All remaining schools are cleared to reopen to students and staff Wednesday, including a small number of campuses on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island without power that are able to safely operate.

“Seeing firsthand the impacts on our schools and communities underscored the challenges many families are facing, particularly in areas affected by road conditions and extended power and communication outages,” said Superintendent Keith Hayashi, who on Monday visited schools in the Keaʻau, Pāhala and Nāʻālehu areas on Hawaiʻi Island. 

“At the same time, I was encouraged by the tremendous work underway by county and state responders, our school teams and others helping communities recover on Hawai‘i Island. As schools reopen, we know recovery is not over for many of our students, families and employees, and we’ll continue supporting them through that process,” Hayashi said. “I also want to thank Gov. Josh Green and Mayor Kimo Alameda for their leadership and partnership throughout the response.”

Throughout the storm response, HIDOE employees, facilities crews, contractors and utility partners have worked to assess damage, restore essential services and prepare campuses for reopening.
Updates are being posted at https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-hurricane-lala/.