In the event of a local emergency or an unplanned issue that would prevent a eskwelahan from safely operating, eskwelahan principals work in tandem with complex area superintendents to make decisions regarding short-term eskwelahan closures.

Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness

Eskwelahan Closures​

In the event of large-scale events such as a hurricane, we work with our partners in state and county emergency management to make a determination on whether a eskwelahan should remain open. Many of our eskwelahan campuses are designated emergency shelters that are activated by counties in consultation with the Ahensya sa Pagdumala sa Emergency sa Hawaiʻi (HI-EMA). County’s emergency response resources and information are below:

• Lungsod ug County sa Honolulu: Departamento sa Pagdumala sa Emergency
• Hawaii Island County: Ahensya sa Depensa Sibil sa Lalawigan sa Hawaiʻi
• Maui County: Maui Emergency Management Agency
• Kondado sa Kauaʻi: Ahensya sa Pagdumala sa Emergency sa Kauaʻi

Mga pagkawala sa kuryente

Power outages may occur during eskwelahan hours. While it can be inconvenient, eskwelahan administrators and state office leadership will closely monitor local county alerts. If a power outage occurs, in most cases a eskwelahan campus will remain open. Generally, keeping students on campus is the safest choice.

In the event of a eskwelahan closure, notification will be sent from the eskwelahan directly to families and will also be posted to the HIDOE website. Please ensure that your child’s eskwelahan has your most up-to-date contact information.

View information about Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Program.

Mga Emergency Drills

Tanan schools conduct the following required drills (this video naghatag usa ka kinatibuk-ang pagtan-aw):

• Lockdown: A lockdown takes place if an internal or external threat is identified at the eskwelahan. All eskwelahan doors are locked and students are confined to classrooms. No entry into or exit from the eskwelahan will be allowed until an “all-clear” announcement is made.
• Shelter in Place: Students take refuge in designated areas to protect them from hazardous materials or severe weather. No entry into or exit from the eskwelahan will be allowed until an “all-clear” announcement is made.
• Evacuation (including fire): Certain emergencies may require students and staff to evacuate the eskwelahan. Evacuations are conducted when it is no longer safe to remain on campus. In the event the emergency continues and students are not able to return to campus, parent or guardian reunification procedures will take place. Please familiarize yourself with your eskwelahan’s reunification procedures.
• Linog: Ang protocol mao ang paghulog, pagtabon ug pagkupot hangtod nga mohunong ang pag-uyog.
• Tsunami: For schools in tsunami zones, this is an evacuation drill to a designated area away from the reach of tsunami waves.

Hurricane Preparedness

The Department monitors potential storms and hurricanes affecting the state in close coordination with state and county emergency management officials. Ahead of a storm, schools take precautions to secure campuses and reduce potential hazards. Following a severe weather event, schools assess facilities and grounds for damage to determine when it is safe for students and staff to return. Families and employees are encouraged to monitor official HIDOE communications, local media and county emergency management agencies for the latest information. For more information on preparing for hurricanes and other severe weather events, visit ready.hawaii.gov. 

Tsunami-Zone Mga eskwelahan

Schools that lie in tsunami zones practice evacuation based on a locally generated tsunami. This could result in a tsunami wave arriving on shore in 15-30 minutes. All schools practice evacuating tsunami zones within 10 minutes. Parents are directed to stay away from campus until the emergency has passed. Schools that lie within the primary tsunami evacuation zone (color code red) include:

The following provides recommended guidance for “Distant Tsunami” on specific situations. These tsunamis can travel across the entire ocean basins and may take hours to reach land, allowing for more time to issue warnings and evacuate.

If a warning is issued prior to the start of the eskwelahan day, eskwelahan activity, and/or work day

If a warning is issued during the eskwelahan day, at drop-off or pick-up, or during after-school care or events

If a tsunami watch is issued

Impormasyon sa Emergency para sa mga Pamilya

Emergencies are a stressful time, but parents and caregivers should be assured that school staff are prepared through regular and updated drills. Parents and caregivers can help by doing the following:

• Pag-andam alang sa usa ka emerhensya
  • Ensure that your child’s emergency contact information is accurate and current.
  • All HIDOE schools have emergency plans. Become familiar with your eskwelahan’s emergency plan and parent/guardian reunification procedures in the event of a eskwelahan evacuation.
  • Take time to prepare your family’s emergency plan with your children. Ang Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) adunay bililhon nga mga kapanguhaan online.
• In case of a eskwelahan emergency: Although your first reaction would be to call or rush to your child’s eskwelahan, please follow these tips:
  • Do not call or rush to your child’s eskwelahan. Phone lines and staff are needed for emergency response efforts.
  • Do not phone your child. Staff and students are discouraged from using cell phone communication for safety reasons.
  • Tune in to local TV/radio stations for official eskwelahan news alerts.
  • Rely only on official communication from eskwelahan, public safety or HIDOE officials.
  • Paminawa ang opisyal nga impormasyon bahin sa paghiusa pag-usab sa imong anak. Ang mga estudyante ipagawas lamang ngadto sa mga ginikanan/guardian nga dokumentado isip mga kontak sa emerhensya ug kinsa nagpakita ug picture ID sama sa driver's license, military ID o passport.
  • Tan-awa ang HIDOE website o social media para sa mga emergency updates.

Mga emerhensiyang brosyur para sa mga ginikanan

Kapitulo 19

In order to keep our schools safe, rules have been established relating to student misconduct. These rules also govern searches of students and seizures of property. Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules, Kapitulo 19 (PDF), are derived from state law. It’s important that students and parents review this information to be aware of the consequences of a Kapitulo 19 paglapas. 

Safety on and off campus

Police will be engaged when there is real or perceived danger involving our students or campuses. Administrators and staff will initiate safety protocols when incidents happen on campus, and facilitate communication with families, community groups and law enforcement when incidents involving students happen off campus.

Hawaiʻi’s law enforcement organizations are an important part of keeping eskwelahan communities safe. Police community outreach educates students about safety.

Families should also speak with their children about basic safety measures when they are out in public and do not have a trusted adult nearby:

• Pagpalayo sa mga estranghero, ayaw pagpakigsulti o pagkuha bisan unsa gikan kanila.
• Ayaw pag-adto bisan asa uban sa tawo nga wala nimo kaila. Ayaw gayud modawat og sakay gikan sa estranghero.
• Kung ang usa ka estranghero moduol kanimo, pangayo dayon og tabang sa usa ka kasaligan nga hamtong.
• Gamita ang buddy system; likayi ang paglakaw bisan asa nga mag-inusara.
• Kung ang usa ka estranghero modakop kanimo, buhata ang tanan aron mapugngan ang estranghero. Singgit alang sa tabang.
• I-report ang bisan unsang kadudahang kalihokan sa usa ka kasaligan nga hamtong.
• Be alert of your surroundings and let others know where you will be and what time you will be back.

The surrounding eskwelahan neighborhood and community are our partners in watching for and reporting suspicious activity around campuses. We encourage neighbors to report suspicious activity to eskwelahan staff and/or law enforcement. 

Ang komunidad makakat-on og dugang mahitungod ug makaapil niini nga mga paningkamot dinhi:

• Honolulu Police
• Maui Police
• Pulisya sa Isla sa Hawaii
• Kauaʻi Police

Kaluwasan sa Eskwelahan Committees

Each eskwelahan has a Kaluwasan sa Eskwelahan Committee charged with attaining the following goals:

• Increasing safety awareness.
• Building enthusiasm for safety programs.
• Pagpakunhod ug pagpugong sa mga kadaot.

Connect with your eskwelahan aron makat-on pa.