Department announces school closures on Hawaii Island, Maui County

Precautions are being taken in advance of storms that are expected to impact the Islands over the next few days. Please check back for updates as Iselle and Julio advance.

News Release from Hawaii DoE August 5, 2014

HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) is scheduling closures at designated public schools in advance of storms Iselle and Julio. On Thursday, Aug. 7, all public schools in Hawaii and Maui Counties (Maui, Molokai, Lanai) will be closed. All other public schools will remain open and continue their regular school schedule and afterschool activities.

School closures are being made according to the storms’ paths and in preparation of designated emergency shelter sites.

“The force of these storms remain uncertain, however, we do not want to wait until last minute to close our schools,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “Additionally, many of our schools are designated emergency shelters and it is necessary to prepare these facilities as the storms approach.”

State and County Civil Defense officials expect Iselle to impact Hawaii Island and Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai) on Thursday. Julio is forecasted to impact the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6: The following Hawaii County public schools, which are designated emergency shelters, will close at 2 p.m. This means all afterschool activities for students and staff are canceled at these schools, as well as any scheduled public meetings:

• Laupahoehoe
• Kohala High & Elementary
• Kealakehe High (pet friendly)
• Konawaena High (pet friendly)
• Hilo High (pet friendly)
• Waiakea High (pet friendly)

• Keaau High (pet friendly)
• Pahoa High & Intermediate (pet friendly)
• Honokaa High & Intermediate (pet friendly)
• Kau High (pet friendly)
• Waikoloa Elementary

THURSDAY, AUG. 7: All public schools in Hawaii and Maui Counties (Maui, Molokai, Lanai) will be closed.

FRIDAY, AUG. 8: The schools in Hawaii and Maui Counties that are designated emergency shelters will remain closed on Friday. The Hawaii County schools are listed above, Maui County designated shelters are:

• Baldwin High
• Lokelani Intermediate
• Kekaulike High
• Hana High & Elementary
• Molokai High
• Kilohana Elementary

In Hawaii County, three complex areas serve more than 23,000 students: Hilo-Laupahoehoe-Waiakea (7,864), Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena (10,167), Kau-Keaau-Pahoa (5,414). There are more than 21,000 students in Maui County on three islands. Statewide, the DOE serves about 185,000 students at 289 public schools and charter schools.

DOE officials continue to meet with State Civil Defense and are closely monitoring the storms’ patterns. Information regarding public schools and afterschool activities will be announced as needed.

For updated information, follow the DOE on Twitter at @HIDOE808.