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

Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness

Escuela 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 escuela should remain open. Many of our escuela campuses are designated emergency shelters that are activated by counties in consultation with the Agencia de Gestión de Emergencias de Hawái (HI-EMA). County’s emergency response resources and information are below:

• Ciudad y condado de Honolulu: Departamento de Gestión de Emergencias
• Condado de la isla de Hawái: Agencia de Defensa Civil del Condado de Hawái
• Condado de Maui: Agencia de Gestión de Emergencias de Maui
• Condado de Kauai: Agencia de Manejo de Emergencias de Kaua'i

Cortes de energía

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

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

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

Simulacros de emergencia

Todo schools conduct the following required drills (this video proporciona una descripción general):

• Lockdown: A lockdown takes place if an internal or external threat is identified at the escuela. All escuela doors are locked and students are confined to classrooms. No entry into or exit from the escuela 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 escuela will be allowed until an “all-clear” announcement is made.
• Evacuation (including fire): Certain emergencies may require students and staff to evacuate the escuela. 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 escuela’s reunification procedures.
• Terremoto: El protocolo es agacharse, cubrirse y agarrarse hasta que el temblor cese.
• 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 Escuelas

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 escuela day, escuela activity, and/or work day

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

If a tsunami watch is issued

Información de emergencia para familias

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:

• Esté preparado para una emergencia
  • Ensure that your child’s emergency contact information is accurate and current.
  • All HIDOE schools have emergency plans. Become familiar with your escuela’s emergency plan and parent/guardian reunification procedures in the event of a escuela evacuation.
  • Take time to prepare your family’s emergency plan with your childrenLa Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) tiene recursos valiosos en línea.
• In case of a escuela emergency: Although your first reaction would be to call or rush to your child’s escuela, please follow these tips:
  • Do not call or rush to your child’s escuela. 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 escuela news alerts.
  • Rely only on official communication from escuela, public safety or HIDOE officials.
  • Escuche la información oficial sobre la reunificación con su hijo. Los estudiantes serán entregados únicamente a los padres o tutores que estén documentados como contactos de emergencia y que presenten una identificación con fotografía, como una licencia de conducir, una identificación militar o un pasaporte.
  • Consulte el sitio web de HIDOE o las redes sociales para obtener actualizaciones de emergencia.

Folletos de emergencia para padres

Capítulo 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, Capítulo 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 Capítulo 19 violación. 

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 escuela 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:

• Manténgase alejado de los extraños, no hable con ellos ni acepte nada de ellos.
• No vayas a ningún lado con alguien que no conoces. Nunca aceptes que te lleve un desconocido.
• Si un extraño se acerca a usted, busque ayuda inmediatamente de un adulto de confianza.
• Utilice el sistema de compañeros; evite caminar solo a cualquier lugar.
• Si un extraño te agarra, haz lo que sea necesario para detenerlo. Grita para pedir ayuda.
• Reporta cualquier actividad sospechosa a un adulto de confianza.
• Be alert of your surroundings and let others know where you will be and what time you will be back.

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

La comunidad puede obtener más información sobre estos esfuerzos y participar en ellos aquí:

• Policía de Honolulu
• Maui Police
• Policía de la isla de Hawái
• Policía de Kauai

Seguridad escolar Committees

Each escuela has a Seguridad escolar Committee charged with attaining the following goals:

• Increasing safety awareness.
• Building enthusiasm for safety programs.
• Reducir y prevenir lesiones.

Connect with your escuela para saber más.