The state Department of Education announced Monday evening that it would close some schools ahead of the rapidly advancing June 27 lava flow. ADVERTISING The state Department of Education announced Monday evening that it would close some schools ahead of
The state Department of Education announced Monday evening that it would close some schools ahead of the rapidly advancing June 27 lava flow.
“The pace of the flow has accelerated the implementation of DOE’s contingency plans, which will affect about 1,700 students and 300 employees beginning this week,” reads a press release.
Beginning Wednesday, there will be no school for students at Keonepoko Elementary School to allow enough time to prepare a new facility to receive students. The work will include moving furniture and equipment to the new Keonepoko North facility at Keaau High School from Wednesday through Friday, or longer, as needed. Wednesday will mark the indefinite closure of Keonepoko as it is in the anticipated path of the lava flow.
Additionally, beginning Thursday there will be no school for students at Pahoa High &Intermediate, Pahoa Elementary, Keaau High and Keaau Middle to prepare for the transition of students affected by the move.
About 850 Pahoa students who reside north of the flow (in Orchidland, Ainaloa and Hawaiian Paradise Park) are moving to the Keaau complex. About 850 students who reside south of the flow (Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Nanawale, Leilani, Kalapana and Pahoa) will attend Pahoa High &Intermediate or Pahoa Elementary and report to school Monday, Nov. 10. Bus pickup sites will be distributed today.
The Pahoa secondary students moving to Keaau will report to their new campuses at Keaau High and Keaau Middle on Friday, Nov. 7. Keonepoko and Pahoa Elementary students who are moving will report to their new school at Keonepoko North on Nov. 10.
The students who remain at Pahoa High &Intermediate and Pahoa Elementary will report to school Nov. 10. Students currently enrolled at Keaau High and Keaau Middle will return to school Nov. 10.
Last month, the DOE announced it was allowing teachers and students to continue teaching and learning, while making plans to accommodate them at alternate sites. The DOE and its teams have been working with many in the community to erect a temporary school to be named “Keonepoko North” for elementary students in Keaau High’s parking lot that would accommodate at least 17 classrooms.
Keonepoko and Pahoa High School will remain as election polling sites for the Nov. 4 general election.
