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.
