The state Department of Education announced Thursday a plan to build an alternate site for elementary school students in Pahoa that could be displaced by lava. ADVERTISING The state Department of Education announced Thursday a plan to build an alternate
The state Department of Education announced Thursday a plan to build an alternate site for elementary school students in Pahoa that could be displaced by lava.
“(DOE) continues to work on contingency plans for public schools, students and staff in preparation for lava to eventually cross Pahoa’s Highway 130,” reads a Thursday afternoon press release. “The lava flow stalled Sunday on its approach toward Pahoa town. However, volcanic activity is ongoing.”
Ka’u-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area Superintendent Mary Correa explained that the DOE was ready to respond to the changing conditionsn of the June 27 lava flow.
“We are doing our best to keep a sense of normalcy in our schools and we stand ready to adjust our operations as needed,” she said.
Based on information provided by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and Hawaii Civil Defense, the DOE reported that it would do whatever is necessary to allow public school teachers and students to continue teaching and learning.
“This includes preparing for the potential loss of an elementary school,” the release stated. “The DOE is building an alternate site for elementary students in the Keaau High lower parking lot that could hold a number of classrooms. The site would accommodate at least 17 classrooms and up to 500 students and staff.”
The DOE estimated the initial cost for the project to be $9 million.
“We believe that setting up an alternate site is necessary in order to ensure that our teachers and students have everything ready should we lose a school,” stated Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “We continue to tackle a number of scenarios and we appreciate the flexibility of our staff, the cooperation of our families, and the collaboration with Hawaii County agencies in our preparation efforts.”
Based on the expectation that access to Keonepoko Elementary, Pahoa High & Intermediate, and Pahoa Elementary will be compromised, plans are being made for students who reside north of the flow to be rerouted to the Keaau complex when the flow crosses Highway 130. Students who reside south of the flow will remain in their homeschools if those facilities are not negatively impacted.
“When the lava crosses the highway, we want to make sure everything is in place in order to provide continued school services,” said Correa.
Pahoa complex currently has an estimated 1,800 students and roughly 300 employees.
Plans have been shared with parents at all three schools via letters and school meetings. Besides student planning, the DOE is also initiating plans that would guide affected employees on necessary changes. Earlier this month the DOE asked parents and staff who may have changed their residence to immediately update their contact information with school administrators.
