Hanalei school closed all week; DOE conducts environmental assessment of campus

Hanalei Elementary School on Kauai will remain closed for all students for the rest of the week as the campus is cleaned after suffering flood damage this weekend, state Department of Education officials said today.

The department is conducting an environmental assessment as a precaution, they said in a news release.

“With the anticipation of more rain, we remain concerned for the safety of our students, staff, and families. We are hopeful that Hanalei Elementary will reopen on Monday,” said Bill Arakaki, Kauai Complex Area Superintendent.

“We want to thank our parents and the community for their patience during the clean-up as we work to make the campus safe for our students,” Arakaki said earlier. “Students who were impacted by the floods at their homes will not be penalized for attendance issues during this time and the school will work with them and their parents to make sure that all academic requirements are still met.”

School bus service has resumed operation for students residing in Hanalei who attend Kapaa Middle and Kapaa High schools. Bus service for students living in Waikomo, Wainiha and Haena remains temporarily suspended, and will resume when Kuhio Highway reopens, officials said.