5 p.m. update
In addition to the previously announced closures for O‘ahu, Kauaʻi and Maui County, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) has expanded the closure to include all public schools and HIDOE offices on Hawaiʻi Island on Friday, March 13.
This update aligns with the directives issued by Gov. Josh Green and county mayors in response to severe weather conditions impacting communities statewide. The decision to close schools and offices across all islands was made out of an abundance of caution due to ongoing concerns related to flooding, hazardous road conditions and potential power outages.
There will be no in-person instruction or extracurricular activities statewide on March 13, and students and staff should not report to campuses or HIDOE offices unless specifically directed.
Students and teachers statewide are scheduled to be on spring break March 16–20.
The Department will continue to monitor conditions in coordination with state and emergency management partners and will share additional updates through official channels as information becomes available.
The Department appreciates the Governor’s leadership and the continued coordination across state agencies to help keep Hawaiʻi’s communities safe.
1 p.m. update
In alignment with Gov. Josh Green’s directive issued on March 12 in response to severe weather conditions impacting the state, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will implement the closure of all public schools and HIDOE offices on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and in Maui County on Friday, March 13.
The decision was made out of an abundance of caution due to concerns related to flooding, road conditions and potential power outages across multiple communities. While the Department recognizes the importance of every instructional day, student and staff safety remains a priority.
There will be no in-person instruction or extracurricular activities on March 13 on O‘ahu, Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokai and Lānaʻi. Students and staff should not report to campuses or HIDOE offices unless specifically directed. Schools and offices on Hawai‘i Island will remain open at this time. Students and teachers statewide are scheduled to be on spring break March 16-20.
This closure applies only to the current severe weather event and this date. HIDOE will continue to monitor conditions in coordination with state and emergency management officials and will share updates through official channels as information becomes available.
The Department appreciates the Governor’s leadership and the coordination across state agencies to keep communities safe.
Previous updates:
Several schools on Oʻahu and Molokai are closed on March 12 due to flooding and flooded roads affecting safe access to the campuses.
On Oʻahu, Waialua High & Intermediate School and Haleʻiwa Elementary School are closed.
On Molokai, Molokai High, Molokai Middle, Kaunakakai Elementary, Kilohana Elementary and Maunaloa Elementary are closed.
The schools are notifying staff and students’ families. Staff will remain on campus for any students already at school or whose families cannot immediately pick them up.
At this time, all other Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) schools are scheduled to be open. The HIDOE is closely monitoring severe weather conditions in collaboration with state and county emergency management agencies to ensure the safety of students and staff. Any emergency announcements will be made through the Department’s official communication channels.
