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

Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness

School 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 school should remain open. Many of our school campuses are designated emergency shelters that are activated by counties in consultation with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency​ (HI-EMA). County’s emergency response resources and information are below:

• City & County of Honolulu: Department of Emergency Management
• Hawaiʻi Island County: Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency
• Maui County: Maui Emergency Management Agency
• Kauaʻi County: Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency

​Power Outages

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

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

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

​​​​​​Emergency Drills

All schools conduct the following required drills (this video provides an overview):

• Lockdown: A lockdown takes place if an internal or external threat is identified at the school. All school doors are locked and students are confined to classrooms. No entry into or exit from the school 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 school will be allowed until an “all-clear” announcement is made.
• Evacuation (including fire): Certain emergencies may require students and staff to evacuate the school. 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 school’s reunification procedures.
• Earthquake: The protocol is to drop, cover and hold on until the shaking stops.
• 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 Schools

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 school day, school activity, and/or work day

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

If a tsunami watch is issued

Emergency Information for Families

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:

• Be prepared for an emergency
  • Ensure that your child’s emergency contact information is accurate and current.
  • All HIDOE schools have emergency plans. Become familiar with your school’s emergency plan and parent/guardian reunification procedures in the event of a school evacuation.
  • Take time to prepare your family’s emergency plan with your children. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has valuable resources online.
• In case of a school emergency: Although your first reaction would be to call or rush to your child’s school, please follow these tips:
  • Do not call or rush to your child’s school. 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 school news alerts.
  • Rely only on official communication from school, public safety or HIDOE officials.
  • Listen for official information regarding reunification with your child. Students will be released only to parents/guardians who are documented as emergency contacts and who present a picture ID such as a driver’s license, military ID or passport.
  • Check the HIDOE website or social media for emergency updates.

Emergency brochures for parents​​

Chapter 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, Ch​apter 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 school 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:

• Stay away from strangers, do not talk to or take anything from them.
• Don’t go anywhere with someone you don’t know. Never accept a ride from a stranger.
• If a stranger approaches you, seek help immediately from a trusted adult.
• Use the buddy system; avoid walking anywhere alone.
• If a stranger grabs you, do whatever it takes to stop the stranger. Yell for help.
• Report any suspicious activity to a trusted adult.
• Be alert of your surroundings and let others know where you will be and what time you will be back.

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

The community can learn more about and participate in these efforts here:

• Honolulu Police
• Maui Police
• Hawaiʻi Island Police
• Kauaʻi Police

School Safety Committees

Each school has a School Safety Committee charged with attaining the following goals:

• Increasing safety awareness.
• Building enthusiasm for safety programs.
• Reducing and preventing injuries.

Connect with your school to learn more.