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

Tapuni a'oga

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 Hawaii'i Fa'alavelave Fa'afuase'i Ofisa (HI-EMA). County’s emergency response resources and information are below:

• Aai & Itumalo o Honolulu: Matagaluega o Faalavelave Tutupu Faafuasei
• Itumalo o Hawaiʻi Island: Ofisa o Puipuiga Lautele a le Itumalo o Hawaiʻi
• Itumalo o Maui: Maui Emergency Management Agency
• Itumalo o Kauaʻi: Kauaʻi Pulega o Faalavelave Tutupu Faafuasei

Pepa le eletise

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.

Fa'alavelave Fa'afuase'i

O mea uma schools conduct the following required drills (this vitio e maua ai se vaaiga lautele):

• Loka: E lokaina pe a iloa se fa'amata'u i totonu po'o fafo i le a'oga. Ua loka uma faitoto'a o le a'oga ma o tamaiti a'oga ua fa'asao i potuaoga. E leai se ulufale i totonu pe alu ese mai le aʻoga o le a faʻatagaina seia oʻo ina faia se faʻaaliga "manino uma".
• Malutaga i le Nofoaga: E sulufai tamaiti aoga i nofoaga atofaina e puipuia ai i latou mai mea matautia po o le leaga o le tau. E leai se ulufale i totonu pe alu ese mai le aʻoga o le a faʻatagaina seia oʻo ina faia se faʻaaliga "manino uma".
• 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.
• Mafuie: O le tulafono e tatau ona pa'u, ufiufi ma taofi seia uma le lulu.
• 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 Aoga

Aoga 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. Aoga 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

Fa'amatalaga Fa'alavelave mo Aiga

O faʻalavelave faʻafuaseʻi o se taimi faigata, ae e tatau i matua ma tagata tausi maʻi ona mautinoa o le aufaigaluega aʻoga e saunia e ala i faʻataʻitaʻiga masani ma faʻafouina. E mafai e matua ma tagata tausi maʻi ona fesoasoani i le faia o mea nei:

• Ia saunia mo se faalavelave faafuasei
  • 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. O le Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) e iai a latou punaoa taua ile initaneti.
• 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.
  • Fa'alogo ile TV/leitio fa'alotoifale mo fa'aaliga aloa'ia a le a'oga.
  • 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.
  • Siaki le upega tafa'ilagi a le HIDOE po'o ala fa'aagafesootai mo fa'amatalaga fa'afuase'i.

Pepa fa'alavelave mo matua

Mataupu 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, Vaega 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:

• Aloese mai tagata ese, aua le talanoa pe ave se mea mai ia i latou.
• Aua e te alu i se mea ma se tasi e te le iloa. Aua nei talia se tietiega mai se tagata ese.
• Afai e alu atu se tagata ese ia te oe, saili vave se fesoasoani mai se tagata matua faatuatuaina.
• Fa'aaoga le faiga uo; aloese mai le savali i soo se mea na o oe.
• ‘Āfai e pu‘e oe e se tagata ‘ese, fai so‘o se mea e mafai ai e taofi ai le tagata ‘ese. Alalaga mo se fesoasoani.
• Lipoti soo se gaioiga masalomia i se tagata matua faatuatuaina.
• 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. 

E mafai e le nuu ona aoao atili e uiga ma auai i nei taumafaiga iinei:

• Leoleo a Honolulu
• Maui Police
• Leoleo Motu o Hawaii
• Leoleo a Kauaʻi

Aoga Safety Committees

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

• Increasing safety awareness.
• Building enthusiasm for safety programs.
• Faʻaitiitia ma puipuia manuʻa.

Connect with your aoga to learn more.