DOE announces phased reopening of Lahaina schools, construction of temporary campus
LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state Education Department on Tuesday announced a revised timeline for reopening Lahaina schools, saying their focus is on getting students safely back into classrooms with their peers and in their own community.
At a news conference, schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi released this timeline:
- Oct. 5: The last day for Lahainaluna High School students at their temporary site Kulanihakoi High School. They’ve been there Kulanihakoi High since Sept. 14.
- Oct. 6: Planning and work day without students.
- Oct. 9 through Oct. 13: Fall break
- Oct. 16: Students will return to Lahainaluna High School
- Oct. 17: Intermediate students will return to Lahaina Intermediate School campus.
Hayashi also announced that Princess Nahienaena Elementary will be the temporary site for King Kamehameha III Elementary students — and students will learn in a temporary setting.
“This arrangement is designed to be a short-term solution using high quality tents that are equipped with power and air conditioning, wood floor, and create a comfortable teaching and learning environment,” Hayashi said.
In the coming months, King Kamehameha III will relocate to a new site that will be built in the mixed use development project known as Pulelehua, on a parcel down the hill, Hayashi added.
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He said FEMA would be fronting the cost of the $5 million campus, which will be a temporary replacement until a new permanent school is built.
“Though it’s a temporary site, it means that we can get a lot of support once again from the federal government, President Biden, from FEMA,” said Gov. Josh Green, who also spoke at the news conference. “These are all incredibly important things.”
King Kamehameha III Elementary was destroyed in the wildfire on Aug. 8.
This story will be updated.
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