Two similar instances of a stranger approaching female students at Kainalu Elementary School has its administration officials, teachers, students and parents being extra vigilant to protect the children.

“It is a very scary situation, and we want to do whatever we can to protect our students from harm,” said Principal Sheri Sunabe Tuesday.

The incidents happened Friday and Monday.

She said the school is beefing up supervision during recess and a parent has also volunteered to assist during recess.

In the first instance during Friday morning recess at about 9:45 a.m., a man in a white car drove up alongside the chainlink fence along Kainalu Drive, and approached some older elementary school girls.

Playground equipment is also located near the fence.

One girl reported the man was staring at her, so she said she stared back, Sunabe said. A teacher came up, and the man left in the car.

Then on Monday during morning recess, a white vehicle with a man driving approached another group of older elementary school girls in the same area.

The man said, “‘Hey climb over the fence and get in my car,’” the girls said.

On Monday, Sunabe called police, the Department of Education’s complex area superintendent, who notified surrounding schools.

She also talked to teachers to review with the students about safety and what to do when they are approached by a stranger.

Sunabe said she was on Maui Friday accompanying the school’s chorus.

She has since spoken to teachers about the need to inform her immediately so that the authorities can be informed.

“We have to err on the side of caution,” she said.

Sunabe said she wrote a letter to take home to their parents to explain what has happened and to help the parents ensure the students “have the tools to keep themselves safe.”

The school has also requested police to patrol the area more frequently or to provide plainclothes officers to help.