{"id":15997,"date":"2025-10-01T18:00:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T04:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiipublicschools.org\/?p=15997"},"modified":"2025-12-11T07:34:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T17:34:45","slug":"2025-gov-green-state-officials-announce-king-kamehameha-iii-elementary-school-rebuilding-site","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiipublicschools.org\/zh_tw\/2025-gov-green-state-officials-announce-king-kamehameha-iii-elementary-school-rebuilding-site\/","title":{"rendered":"Gov. Green, state officials announce King Kamehameha III Elementary School rebuilding site"},"content":{"rendered":"

The state of Hawai\u02bbi, County of Maui and federal and private sector partners are moving forward with plans to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School at the approximately 14-acre Ku\u02bbia<\/a> site below the Lahaina Bypass. Appropriate cultural and environmental surveys for the property will soon begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis represents a major milestone in Lahaina\u2019s healing and recovery,\u201d Gov. Josh Green said. \u201cIt demonstrates the resilience of the Lahaina community, with support from the County of Maui and the entire state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed $162 million project \u2014 above the tsunami inundation zone \u2014 is about 0.6 miles directly mauka from the original King Kamehameha III Elementary School campus on Front Street, which was destroyed by the deadly Aug. 2023 wildfires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom the beginning, my priority has been to follow the lead of the Lahaina community in deciding where their keikis\u2019 school should be rebuilt,\u201d Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said. \u201cThe selection of the Ku\u02bbia site reflects the voices of residents who want their children connected to their home, culture, history and future. This new school will honor the legacy of King Kamehameha III while providing a safe and resilient place for our children to learn and thrive. I extend a special mahalo to Governor Green, the State Department of Education, our federal and private partners and most importantly, the Lahaina community for guiding us to this important step forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project still requires federal funding and legislative support before construction can begin. The state is pursuing Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement fund options. Any remaining balance will likely be covered by state appropriations, insurance payouts, or a combination of both. The new location was identified after the Hawai\u02bbi State Department of Education (HIDOE) conducted extensive outreach in the Maui community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary is essential for the healing and recovery of our students, families and staff. Our priority is to provide a permanent school where learning can continue without disruption,\u201d Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. \u201cWith the emergency proclamation allowing us to move more quickly and with strong support from the Governor, Mayor and legislature, we\u2019re committed to transitioning our students from temporary modular classrooms to a school they can call home \u2014 built with their needs and future in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between May 2024 and Nov. 2024, HIDOE conducted outreach meetings and surveys with the Lahaina community, including area residents, school faculty and staff, alumni and other stakeholders. HIDOE issued two reports summarizing the feedback: one in June 2024<\/a> \u548c one in Jan. 2025<\/a>. A total of 485 area residents participated in the surveys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The majority in the first survey \u2014 67%\u2014 supported rebuilding the school in the original Front Street location. But that plan would not be feasible because of the impact to iwi k\u016bpuna and the high risk of flooding.\u202fRebuilding at the Front Street site would have required a smaller, vertical school, which is cost-prohibitive and would not meet the needs of the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The community\u2019s next choice was the Ku\u02bbia property due to its favorable traffic conditions, better emergency access and proximity to the original elementary school. Over half \u2013 51 % \u2013 of the respondents in the second survey supported this location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A third proposed site at Pulelehua \u2014 which is located about seven miles away from the original Front Street elementary school \u2014 received support from 46% in the second survey. The temporary Lahaina elementary school is located on an adjacent parcel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fourth site at Pu\u2018ukoli\u2018i Village \u2014 nearly 2 miles away from the original Front Street elementary school \u2014 was supported by just 4% in the first survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respondents attributed a lot of weight to a property\u2019s cultural and historical significance in expressing their preferences. Residents also cited traffic and providing educational and extracurricular opportunities for students as important factors. Locating the school at Ku\u02bbia addresses many priorities expressed by the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ku\u02bbia site keeps the school in Lahaina, where King Kamehameha III lived and governed, honoring his historic legacy. Ku\u02bbia co-locates the school near other educational and civic resources. The location would also enhance safety, fire mitigation, accessibility and convenience for the Lahaina community. Preliminary plans include developing multiple access points to help ease traffic congestion and increase the number of evacuation routes, strengthening overall community resilience and connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related news releases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n