Hawaii Island public schools to close Friday due to storm

Tropical Storm Ana is expected to strengthen over the next 12 hours, forcing the closure of all Hawaii Island public schools on Friday.

News Release from Hawaii DoE October 15, 2014

​HONOLULU – With Tropical Storm Ana expected to strengthen over the next 12 hours, the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) will close all public schools on Hawaii Island on Friday, Oct. 17. Closures are being made in anticipation of severe weather.

Students and staff of these schools will be dismissed at the end of the school day tomorrow. Additionally, all inter-scholastic athletic events and student activities are canceled beginning tomorrow and through the weekend, resuming when schools reopen.

Many DOE schools serve as emergency shelters; however, County Civil Defense agencies have determined which schools are activated shelters. Please note the following:

Hawaii County designated shelters:

• ​Kau High & Pahala Elementary
• Keaau High
• Kohala High & Elementary
• Kealakehe High
• Konawaena High
• Hilo High
• Waiakea High
• Pahoa High & Intermediate
• Honokaa High & Intermediate
• Waikoloa Elementary​

Please check with State or County Civil Defense for more information on emergency shelters. For updated information, follow the DOE on Twitter at @HIDOE808.

For more information on public charter schools' closures, visit http://www.chartercommission.hawaii.gov/.

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GOVERNOR SIGNS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION IN ANTICIPATION OF TROPICAL STORM ANA

News Release from Office of the Governor October 15, 2014

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Ana, which is forecast to impact the state this weekend, possibly as a hurricane.

The proclamation, which includes all of the main Hawaiian Islands, allows the state to draw upon funds for protective measures. It also allows easier access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels, along with the suspension of certain laws as needed for emergency purposes.

“Now is the time for all of us to prepare for Ana,” said Gov. Abercrombie. “The best way the state can prepare is through this proclamation, which allows us to respond quickly to any potential impacts.”

The disaster emergency relief period for the proclamation begins today and continues through Oct. 24, 2014.

Recommended preparedness actions may be found on the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency website at scd.hawaii.gov. Residents are also encouraged to enroll in local notification systems and monitor local radio and television broadcasts.

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PDF: View Proclamation

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