A Papaikou school was forced to close Tuesday after a water main break cut off water to a portion of the town.
A Papaikou school was forced to close Tuesday after a water main break cut off water to a portion of the town.
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School released students at about 10 a.m. after water stopped being supplied to the school.
Nyssa Kushi, spokeswoman for the county Department of Water Supply, said the department is still investigating the cause of the main break, which occurred at the intersection of Old Mamalahoa Highway and Maluna Place.
However, that same main has had similar issues in the past. The main previously ruptured in August after Hurricane Lane hit the island, causing a similar school closure, said Vice Principal Lindsay Miyashiro.
Water service was temporarily cut off from properties along Old Mamalahoa Highway north from Maluna Place and from side streets. However, Kushi said water was restored to the area Tuesday afternoon after repairs to the main were completed.
Miyashiro said students will return to school as usual today.
