Outdoor masking optional at Hawaii public schools starting Wednesday

Hawaii public schools will continue to require protective masks indoors for now, but outdoor use becomes optional starting Wednesday, state schools interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi has announced.

The indoor masking requirement at Hawaii’s 257 regular public schools still stands even though Gov. David Ige announced that the overall statewide indoor mask mandate will sunset on March 25 alongside the current emergency proclamation.

State health officials have recommended indoor masking continue for densely populated “congregate settings” such as schools, public transportation and prisons.

Indoor masks will continue to be required for all students, faculty and staff at all regular public schools across the state as well as all other state Department of Education facilities, the department announced today.

The DOE has required masks both indoors and outdoors since the start of the school year as protection against COVID-19.

The updated guidance takes into consideration the latest recommendations from the state Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a DOE news release said.

The state’s 37 public charter schools are independently governed and will make their own decisions on masks.