The state Department of Education announced Monday evening that it would close some schools ahead of the rapidly advancing June 27 lava flow.
The state Department of Education announced Monday evening that it would close some schools ahead of the rapidly advancing June 27 lava flow.
“The pace of the flow has accelerated the implementation of DOE’s contingency plans, which will affect about 1,700 students and 300 employees beginning this week,” according to a press release.
Beginning Wednesday, there will be no school for Keonepoko Elementary School students to allow time to prepare a new facility to receive students.
Wednesday will mark the indefinite closure of Keonepoko as it is in the anticipated path of the lava flow.
Additionally, beginning on Thursday there will be no school for students at Pahoa High &Intermediate, Pahoa Elementary, Keaau High and Keaau Middle to prepare for the transition of students affected by the move.
About 850 Pahoa students who reside north of the flow (in Orchidland, Ainaloa, and Hawaiian Paradise Park) are moving to the Keaau complex. About 850 students who reside south of the flow (Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Nanawale, Leilani, Kalapana and Pahoa) will attend Pahoa High &Intermediate or Pahoa Elementary and report to school on Monday, Nov. 10. Bus pickup sites will be distributed on Tuesday.
The Pahoa secondary students moving to Keaau complex will report to their new campuses at Keaau High and Keaau Middle on Friday, Nov. 7. Keonepoko and Pahoa Elementary students who are moving will report to their new school at Keonepoko North on Monday, Nov. 10.
The students who remain at Pahoa High &Intermediate and Pahoa Elementary will report to school on Monday, Nov. 10. Students who are currently enrolled at Keaau High and Keaau Middle will return to school on Monday, Nov. 10.