Update: Sept. 14, 2026, 5 p.M.

Hanalei Elementary sets new reopening date as community recovery continues

Hanalei Elementary School’s reopening following Hurricane Lowell has been delayed to provide additional time for the school community to recover from significant storm impacts in the surrounding area.

Teachers and staff will return to campus Friday, Sept. 18, to prepare for reopening, with students returning Monday, Sept. 21. The school had previously planned for employees to return this Tuesday and students Wednesday.

Communities served by Hanalei Elementary, including Hanalei, Wainiha and Hāʻena, sustained significant impacts from the storm, and recovery efforts remain ongoing. While the campus remains closed, the school is working to provide instructional packets and shelf-stable meal boxes for families to pick up this week.

The Department will continue working with government leaders, school leaders and community partners and will provide families with any additional updates as needed.

Update: Sept. 13, 2026, 3 p.M.

Kīlauea, Hanalei elementary schools set to reopen following Hurricane Lowell

Kīlauea Elementary and Hanalei Elementary, the two Kauaʻi public schools that will remain closed to students Monday, Sept. 14, following Hurricane Lowell, are set to reopen this week as water service has been restored and boil-water advisories for both communities have been lifted.

Kīlauea Elementary will reopen to students and employees Tuesday, Sept. 15. Hanalei Elementary will reopen to employees Tuesday to prepare the campus, with students returning Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Kīlauea and Hanalei are now the only Kauaʻi public school campuses awaiting power restoration, after electricity was restored to Kapaʻa High on Friday night. Both schools have contingency plans in place to operate without electricity while power restoration efforts continue.

Student transportation on Kauaʻi also remains impacted as recovery work continues.

Special education curb-to-curb transportation will continue to be provided. However, some regular education bus routes will be unable to operate or will operate with modified service because road conditions and detours cannot safely accommodate school buses. Schools have been communicating directly with affected families about the status of bus transportation.

Updated school bus service information is available here.

The Department will continue monitoring conditions and working with schools and partners as recovery efforts continue.

Update: Sept. 11, 2026, 5:45 P.M.

Most Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools on Kauaʻi will reopen to students Monday, Sept. 14, following a week of closures due to impacts from Hurricane Lowell.

As of Friday afternoon, electricity had been restored to 12 of 15 public school campuses on Kauaʻi. Three schools remain without power: Kapa‘a High, Kīlauea Elementary and Hanalei Elementary.

Kīlauea Elementary and Hanalei Elementary will remain closed to students and staff Monday. Neither campus currently has potable water available. The schools are also preparing contingency plans to support continued learning if the lack of potable water prevents the campuses from reopening.

Kapaʻa High remains without power but is able to safely operate, with contingency plans in place for instruction and gas-powered cafeteria equipment available to provide meals to students.

Kauaʻi public schools not identified above are scheduled to resume regular operations Monday. Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School will proceed with a previously scheduled waiver day for staff professional development Monday, with students returning Tuesday, Sept. 15.

School and HIDOE teams have been working throughout the week to assess facilities, make repairs, clear debris and prepare campuses for students. Teachers and educational assistants returned to campuses Friday to prepare for students’ return.

The Department will continue monitoring conditions at the schools that remain closed and will provide families with updates on reopening as information becomes available.

Sept. 10, 2026, 3 p.m.

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools in Kauaʻi County are preparing to welcome students back to campus Monday, Sept. 14, following a week of closures due to impacts from Hurricane Lowell.

As of Thursday morning, power had been restored to nine of the 15 public school campuses on Kauaʻi, with utilities and other essential services continuing to come back online in communities across the island. School and Department teams are working to assess facilities, address storm-related damage and prepare campuses to safely resume operations.

Kīlauea Elementary and Hanalei Elementary remained without power and water as of Thursday morning, although limited water service has begun returning at Kīlauea Elementary. Once utilities are restored, school and Department teams will need time to check campus systems and complete necessary preparations before students can return. The schools expect to make a determination on Monday operations by 4 p.m. Friday and will notify families directly.

“Visiting our schools and communities, it’s clear that recovery is still very much underway, and many of our families and employees are dealing with storm impacts in their own homes and neighborhoods,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Our teams are working hard to get our campuses ready, while being mindful of what our school communities are going through. Our focus is on safely welcoming students back and supporting them as recovery continues.”

Hayashi and Kauaʻi Complex Area Superintendent Leila Maeda-Kobayashi visited schools  Wednesday to see storm impacts and recovery work firsthand. They observed downed trees and branches, roof and ceiling damage, water intrusion and debris at several campuses. At Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary in Līhuʻe, a portable classroom lost its roof and other classrooms sustained ceiling damage.

School employees have been working throughout the week to support recovery efforts. Custodians have been clearing debris and checking campuses, cafeteria staff have been assessing kitchens and food supplies and removing food that could no longer be safely used, and school administrators have been inspecting classrooms, documenting damage and identifying needed repairs. 

Teachers and educational assistants are scheduled to return to campuses Friday to prepare for resuming instruction, including plans for paper-based lessons at schools where power may not yet be available.

Kauaʻi public schools remain closed to students through Friday, Sept. 11. Families will receive reopening information and any school-specific instructions directly from their schools as recovery work continues.