#hidoe

Students and teachers are already scheduled to be off this week for spring break (March 16-20). At this time, HIDOE schools are scheduled to reopen Monday for year-round staff, with the exception of Hāna High & Elementary School, which is impacted by debris and remains without power while restoration efforts continue.

In alignment with Gov. Josh Green’s directive issued on March 12 in response to severe weather conditions impacting the state, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will implement the closure of all public schools and HIDOE offices on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and in Maui County on Friday, March 13.

Students at Kahaluʻu Elementary School enjoyed locally grown microgreens on their lunch plates this week, harvested just across the street from campus at Kupu Place. Because of the farm’s close proximity, the greens were picked Sunday, delivered Tuesday, and served to students Wednesday.

King Kamehameha III Elementary, Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate School and Lahainaluna High School will reopen on Wednesday, Feb. 11. 

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education announced that all public schools and offices are expected to reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 10, following the improvement of weather conditions statewide. All University of Hawaiʻi campuses will reopen and resume operations and classes on Tuesday, Feb. 10, following the statewide closure of state offices due to storm conditions.

The Department, which serves over 103,000 meals per day to students statewide, plans to operate up to two regional kitchens on Oʻahu, two on Hawaiʻi Island and one each on Kauaʻi, Maui and Molokaʻi. Standalone production kitchens will continue at Hāna High & Elementary, Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, Lānaʻi High & Elementary and Nāʻālehu Elementary schools.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program is seeking sponsor organizations on all islands to help provide children in low-income communities with free meals during the summer months.  The SFSP provides nutritious meals that help children to learn, play, and grow during the summer break when many schools are not in session.

The Hawai‘i School Facilities Authority is adopting a new digital tool designed to speed up school construction planning and reduce costs.

To ensure Hawai‘i public school students are prepared for life after high school, the Hawai‘i State Department of Education will require students to complete a financial literacy educational opportunity beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi issued a permanent trespass notice banning two individuals from all public school properties following the recent violent attack on Moanalua High School Assistant Athletic Director Natalie Iwamoto.

This December, Hawaiʻi public school cafeterias statewide were offered the opportunity to serve local ʻuala (sweet potato) bread for breakfast using locally sourced Okinawan sweet potato. Nearly 1,700 pounds of Okinawan sweet potato were distributed to 127 participating schools.

Pearlridge Center welcomed more than 80 students with visual and hearing disabilities from across Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island last week for inclusive holiday events — “Santa Cane to Town” and “Deaf Santa.”

This November, Hawai‘i public school cafeterias added a special Thanksgiving treat to their traditional turkey lunch — a slice of freshly baked pumpkin pie served alongside roast turkey with gravy, whipped potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables and a whole wheat roll.

The Hawaiʻi Board of Education has reappointed Keith T. Hayashi to a new four-year term as superintendent of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, extending his leadership through December 2029. The decision was approved during a special board meeting Nov. 5.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Education has implemented new regulations governing the use of electric bicycles or e-bikes on all Department campuses, effective immediately.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education is encouraging families who have experienced a change in income due to furloughs or job losses from the federal government shutdown to apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits for the current school year.

This September, public school cafeterias on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island were offered the opportunity to serve chicken papaya soup — a classic Filipino dish also known as Tinola — for lunch using locally sourced bok choy and green papaya, as available.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education has appointed two senior leaders to strengthen operations and student services across the public school system.

With a statewide regional kitchen master plan now in motion, the Hawai‘i Department of Education is turning its attention to transforming school menus to feature more locally grown and produced foods.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) is on track to resume all school bus routes that were in service at the end of last school year when students return starting Aug. 4.