(AP) A Big Island elementary school that sat in the path of the June 27 lava flow will reopen next school year.
(AP) A Big Island elementary school that sat in the path of the June 27 lava flow will reopen next school year.
The state Department of Education said Monday officials are planning to reopen Keonepoko Elementary School now that lava no longer is an immediate threat to the area.
The department built a $9 million alternate site at Keaau High School in anticipation of lava hitting the elementary school.
The department closed Keonepoko in October as the lava flow advanced, rerouting students to other area schools and the temporary site.
The adjustments affected 1,700 students and 300 employees.
Hawaii County Civil Defense informed the department that based on current information, lava is no longer headed to Pahoa.