Nearly two months after Hurricane Lala caused extensive flooding and damage at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, approximately 400 students will return to their campus Monday, Oct. 12, following the completion of repairs and the schoolʻs temporary relocation to Ka‘ū District Gym.
“Parents, staff and the community have shown up for us during these uncertain times,” Nāʻālehu Elementary Principal Jason Britt said. “I am so thankful to our teachers and administrators who created the welcoming environment at Kaʻū District Gym and provided stability, positivity and support for our students during this transition. And I cannot thank our facilities and janitorial staff enough for their dedication and hard work to ready our campus. We cannot wait to be back at school.”
School and facilities staff have been preparing classrooms and the campus for students’ return, with final preparations and finishing touches being completed during fall break this week.
Hurricane Lala brought damaging rains to Hawaiʻi Island in August, with Nāʻālehu Elementary, Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary and surrounding communities in South Hawaiʻi Island among the hardest hit.
Nāʻālehu Elementary experienced extensive flooding and damage to roofs, flooring and campus grounds, forcing the campus to close for repairs. Leaks and water intrusion required roofing and ceiling repairs, flooring replacement and mold remediation to ensure safe learning environments. Furniture and equipment damaged by water and mud were also replaced.
While repairs were underway, a temporary learning site at Kaʻū District Gym opened Sept. 2, allowing students to resume in-person instruction on a staggered schedule by grade level.
The Department also worked to maintain access to meals and learning materials throughout the disruption. On Aug. 26 and 27, HIDOE distributed 3,800 free shelf-stable meals at sites in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View. Elementary students received instructional packets with meal boxes before in-person instruction resumed, and Nā‘ālehu students continued receiving shelf-stable meals to take home on days they were not scheduled at the temporary campus.
“Restoring the Nāʻālehu Elementary campus was a tremendous team effort involving our school and facilities teams, along with county and state partners and construction crews who worked together to complete critical repairs,” Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area Superintendent Stacey Bello said. “At the same time, our teachers and staff kept students connected, supported and learning throughout the disruption. We are deeply grateful to everyone who stepped up for the Nāʻālehu community and helped make this return possible.”
Statewide, HIDOE identified storm-related repair and maintenance needs at 38 schools following Hurricane Lala, generating 153 work orders and approximately $12.5 million in preliminary cost estimates.
