BREAKING: Neighbor Island Schools Announce Distance Learning to Start School Year

Complex area superintendents on the neighbor islands today announced the distance learning models that schools will be implementing on Aug.17.

Public schools on Kaua‘i, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui County – with the exception of Moloka‘i schools and Hāna High & Elementary – will transition to full distance learning for the first four weeks of the 2020-21 school year.

During the transition, school leaders will assess plans for the rest of the quarter. Schools will provide in-person special education services as appropriate and will serve as a learning hub to support students who lack internet access. Students and families are encouraged to utilize the ‘Ohana Help Desk, the nation’s first statewide, comprehensive technology support help desk to assist with distance learning.

“This transition prioritizes the health and safety of our students and staff while ensuring equity of access for high-needs and underprivileged students,” Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area Superintendent Esther Kanehailua said. “Student engagement and family needs during distance learning will be important factors in our decision-making as we move ahead.”

Kauai

• Kapa‘a-Kaua‘i-Waimea Complex Area (CAS Paul Zina)

All Kauai schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school.

Hawai‘i Island 

• Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area (CAS Esther Kanehailua)

All HW schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school.

• Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area (CAS Keone Farias)

All KKP schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school.

• Honokaʻa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area (CAS Janette Snelling)
  All HKKK schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school.

Maui County

• Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui Complex Area (CAS Kathleen Dimino)

All BKM schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school.

• Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokaʻi Complex Area (CAS Lindsay Ball)

Lāna‘i High and Elementary and schools in the Lahaina Complex will implement 100% distance learning for the first quarter of school. Schools on Moloka‘i will implement face-to-face and blended learning as previously announced for the first quarter. Hāna High and Elementary School will implement face-to-face learning for grades K-5 and a hybrid model for upper grades.

All schools on Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i and Maui County will follow the three-phase plan for distance learning below, with the exception of Moloka‘i schools and Hāna High & Elementary as noted.

First phase, in-person training (Aug. 17-20)

During the first week of school, students will physically return to campus on a coordinated and scheduled basis, determined by each individual school, to connect with their teacher, receive training on the distance learning platforms, and address issues with connectivity and access to technology. Special considerations will be given to vulnerable students and their families for more in-person access to the school and teachers.

Starting on Aug. 17, School cafeterias will be serving only grab-and-go meals for their enrolled students; in-person dining will not be allowed. After-school programs will be suspended until students return to in-person blended learning models.

Second phase, ready to learn (Aug. 24-Sept. 11) 

For the remainder of the four week period, full distance learning will be implemented. Staff will report to their designated work sites for continued distance learning instruction. Special education services that cannot be provided in a distance learning format will be available in person. Supervised in-person learning labs at schools will be available for students who do not have WiFi access.

Third phase, transition to blended learning or continue distance learning (Sept. 14) 

HIDOE will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with the Governor’s Office and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health to assess whether or not students can safely return to in-person blended learning models. If distance learning will continue for the remainder of the first quarter of school, an announcement will be made on Sept. 8 by each complex area superintendent.

On Aug. 7 HIDOE announced a modification to school reopening plans for all O‘ahu public schools to implement full distance learning models for the first four weeks of the school year. All HIDOE buildings remain open for faculty and staff, and employees are expected to follow all health and safety protocols. Plans are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation evolves.