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

Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness

Kula 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 kula should remain open. Many of our kula campuses are designated emergency shelters that are activated by counties in consultation with the ʻOihana Hoʻoponopono Kūikawā Hawaiʻi (HI-EMA). County’s emergency response resources and information are below:

• Kulanakauhale & Kalana o Honolulu: Keena o ka Hooponopono ulia
• Kalana ʻo Hawaiʻi Island: ʻOihana Kūleʻa Kivila Kalana ʻo Hawaiʻi
• Maui County: Keʻena hoʻoponopono pilikia o Maui
• Kalana ʻo Kauaʻi: Keʻena hoʻoponopono pilikia o Kauaʻi

Pau ka mana

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

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

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

Nā Kaʻina Hana Kūikawā

ʻO nā mea a pau schools conduct the following required drills (this wikiō hāʻawi i kahi ʻike nui):

• Lockdown: A lockdown takes place if an internal or external threat is identified at the kula. All kula doors are locked and students are confined to classrooms. No entry into or exit from the kula 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 kula will be allowed until an “all-clear” announcement is made.
• Evacuation (including fire): Certain emergencies may require students and staff to evacuate the kula. 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 kula’s reunification procedures.
• ʻO ke ōlaʻi: ʻo ka protocol e hāʻule, uhi a paʻa a paʻa ka haʻalulu.
• 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 Nā kula

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 kula day, kula activity, and/or work day

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

If a tsunami watch is issued

ʻIkepili pilikia no nā ʻohana

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:

• E mākaukau no ka pilikia
  • Ensure that your child’s emergency contact information is accurate and current.
  • All HIDOE schools have emergency plans. Become familiar with your kula’s emergency plan and parent/guardian reunification procedures in the event of a kula evacuation.
  • Take time to prepare your family’s emergency plan with your children. He waiwai waiwai ka Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ma ka pūnaewele.
• In case of a kula emergency: Although your first reaction would be to call or rush to your child’s kula, please follow these tips:
  • Do not call or rush to your child’s kula. 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 kula news alerts.
  • Rely only on official communication from kula, public safety or HIDOE officials.
  • E hoʻolohe i ka ʻike pili e pili ana i ka hui hou ʻana me kāu keiki. E hoʻokuʻu wale ʻia nā haumāna i nā mākua/nā kahu i kākau ʻia ma ke ʻano he mau pilina pilikia a hōʻike i kahi ID kiʻi e like me ka laikini kaʻa, ID koa a i ʻole passport.
  • E nānā i ka HIDOE pūnaewele a i ʻole ka pāpaho pāpili no nā mea hou pilikia.

Nā palapala hoʻopuka pilikia no nā mākua

Mokuna 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, Mokuna 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 Chapter 19 violation. 

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 kula 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:

• E noho kaʻawale mai nā malihini, mai kamaʻilio a lawe i kekahi mea mai iā lākou.
• Mai hele i kahi me kahi āu i ʻike ʻole ai. Mai ʻae i kahi kaʻa mai kahi malihini.
• Inā hele mai kahi malihini iā ʻoe, e ʻimi koke i ke kōkua mai kahi kanaka makua hilinaʻi.
• E hoʻohana i ka ʻōnaehana hoa; pale i ka hele mehameha.
• Inā hopu ka malihini iā ʻoe, e hana i nā mea a pau e hoʻōki ai i ka malihini. E hoʻōho no ke kōkua.
• E hōʻike i kekahi hana kānalua i kahi kanaka makua hilinaʻi.
• Be alert of your surroundings and let others know where you will be and what time you will be back.

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

Hiki i ke kaiāulu ke aʻo hou aʻe e pili ana i kēia mau hana ma aneʻi:

• Makai o Honolulu
• Maui Police
• Makai Mokupuni o Hawaii
• Makai o Kauai

Palekana kula Committees

Each kula has a Palekana kula Committee charged with attaining the following goals:

• Increasing safety awareness.
• Building enthusiasm for safety programs.
• Hoʻemi a pale i nā ʻeha.

Connect with your kula to learn more.