Public schools on Hawaii island will be closed on Friday in anticipation of the coming storm, the Department of Education said Wednesday afternoon.

Inter-scholastic athletic events and student activities are also canceled beginning Thursday and through the weekend.

The following Hawaii island schools will serve as emergency shelters:

» Kau High & Pahala Elementary

» Keaau High

» Kohala High & Elementary

» Kealakehe High

» Konawaena High

» Hilo High

» Waiakea High

» Pahoa High & Intermediate

» Honokaa High & Intermediate

» Waikoloa Elementary

For information on public charter schools’ closures, visit http://www.chartercommission.hawaii.gov/.