State-wide school bus driver shortage, canceled bus routes impact parents and businesses

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - As the suspension of around 150 school bus routes enters its first week, schools and businesses in the state say they are already starting to feel the impact.

The effects of suspended school bus service for around 3,000 students have been felt across the island chain.

Pacific Floral Exchange in Puna says 20% of its employees now have to come into work later and leave early to pick up their children from school.

“Wednesday, they need to leave here at one o’clock. They normally leave at four o’clock,” said Shane Castillio with Pacific Floral Exchange.

A shortage of bus drivers caused the DOE to temporarily suspend bus routes in Central Oahu, East Hawaii Island, and Central and Upcountry Maui last week.

Management at the Puna flower shop says if the situation isn’t resolved by Labor Day, changes will have to be made.

“Do I hire new employees, and it’s already difficult to find employees? Or do I set up an area in my workplace where they can bring their children back from school and hang out until they are done with work,” said Castillio.

Over in Upcountry Maui, the Principal of King Kekaulike High says nearly half her student body, about 500 students, take the school bus.

She says that on Wednesday, the first day of school, around 100 students didn’t show up, and she is working to create temporary solutions.

“I’ve opened our cafeteria after school as a study hall so parents who have to work late and whose children would normally go on the bus have a place that’s safe to go,” said Principal Amy Strand.

Principle Strand says one challenge for her community is that families live in rural areas away from public transportation.

“There is a stop that’s close enough to the school that students could walk to, but the problem is picking them up at their houses. It can be miles away from where the student lives,” said Strand.

The DOE does not expect the school bus situation to be an all-school-year problem but told HNN there could be an update later this week.