The state Department of Education announced Wednesday that all public schools on Hawaii Island will be closed Friday in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ana making landfall. ADVERTISING The state Department of Education announced Wednesday that all public schools on Hawaii
The state Department of Education announced Wednesday that all public schools on Hawaii Island will be closed Friday in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ana making landfall.
“Students and staff of these schools will be dismissed at the end of the school day Thursday,” the DOE said in a press release. “Additionally, all inter-scholastic athletic events and student activities are canceled beginning Thursday and through the weekend, resuming when schools reopen.”
Many DOE schools serve as emergency shelters. Hawaii County Civil Defense officials have determined which schools are activated shelters. They include:
• Ka‘u High & Pahala Elementary
• Keaau High
• Kohala High & Elementary
• Kealakehe High
• Konawaena High
• Hilo High
• Waiakea High
• Pahoa High & Intermediate
• Honokaa High & Intermediate
• Waikoloa Elementary
Information on emergency shelters is available through the state or county Civil Defense at scd.hawaii.gov. For updated information on public school operations, follow the DOE on Twitter at @HIDOE808.
The University of Hawaii announced Wednesday that individual campuses would make decisions concerning cancellation of classes and activities as their administrators continue to monitor the storm situation. A spokeswoman reported that no decision had been made regarding UH-Hilo classes or activities as of Wednesday afternoon.
Updates will be provided at hawaii.edu/emergency.
As of Wednesday afternoon, a number of public charter schools on Hawaii Island also were scheduled to be closed Friday, including:
• Kua o ka La New Century Public Charter School, Pahoa.
• Connections Public Charter School, Hilo
• Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science Public Charter School, Pahoa.
• Ka Umeke Kaeo, Hilo
• Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki Public Charter School, Keaau
• Na Wai Ola Public Charter School, Mountain View.
• Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School, Laupahoehoe
• Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School, Waimea
• Innovations Public Charter School, Kailua-Kona
• Kanu o ka Aina New Century Public Charter School, Waimea
• For information on public charter school closures, visit chartercommission.hawaii.gov.
Kamehameha Schools’ Hawaii campus in Keaau, Hawaii Island preschools and Hawaii Island business and community sites all will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday in response to the approach of Tropical Storm Ana. Plans for Monday have yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Island school-related or other on-campus activities also have been canceled or rescheduled for the same time period.
St. Joseph School, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Parker School and Makua Lani Christian School will also be closed Friday.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
