Lahaina public schools to close for one-year anniversary of wildfires

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The Hawai'i State Board of Education (Board) today approved the Hawai'i State Department of Education's (HIDOE) recommendation to grant a waiver that would allow for the closures of the Lahaina public schools on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Lahaina wildfires.

"We recognize the importance of schools providing a sense of normalcy and continuity for students, but also acknowledge the profound emotional, psychological, physical and financial impacts that the wildfires have had on survivors and the community," Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. "The destruction disrupted the lives of many of our students and staff, and we recognize the need for time to grieve and heal."

The four Lahaina public schools - King Kamehameha III Elementary, Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and Lahainaluna High - will be closed to students and staff on Aug. 8, 2024, to allow employees and students to participate in any commemorative events and healing activities. Schools will reopen on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.

The first official day for the 2024-25 academic year will remain unchanged as Aug. 5, 2024. Parents are encouraged to confirm with their child's school when students are to report as each school has its own pre-planned waiver days or grade-level orientations during the first week of school. Students missing school days on other days of the week of the anniversary will be afforded the opportunity to make up any missed assignments.

"It is important to have this day so that parents, teachers, staff and families can attend community events," said Maui Board Member Kahele Dukelow, who Board members selected as acting chair for today's meeting. "I think it's the right thing to do to provide that particular day off for everybody to process as they need to."

With the Board's approval of Superintendent Hayashi's waiver request, the Department will grant salaried employees a paid administrative leave day on Aug. 8, 2024. Staff can use established procedures to request leave to prioritize their well-being and that of their families during this sensitive time.

The Department has also authorized an internal Maui Wildfires Leave Share Program where all salaried HIDOE employees can donate leave time to their Maui co-workers who lost or suffered severe damage to their primary place of residence due to the wildfires. This optional leave donation will provide affected employees with additional leave time to address personal business needed to recover from this loss. Leave donation forms, applications and guidelines have been distributed to all Department staff. Applications are due by Sept. 13.

Families and staff can reach out to their school directly with any questions.