- Hurricane Lala caused damage to the campus and classrooms at Naalehu Elementary School on Hawaii Island, as well as road closures affecting safe access.
- Two Hawaii Island public schools will close this week as officials assess campus damage and hazardous road conditions left behind by Storm Lala.
- Naalehu Elementary School is scheduled to remain closed to both students and staff from Monday, Aug. 17, through Thursday, Aug. 20.
- Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School will close on Monday, Aug. 17, while assessment teams inspect campus conditions and local roadway accessibility.
- Department of Education officials cited storm-related impacts to classrooms and campus facilities, as well as nearby road closures that prevent safe access to the school.
- State education officials said the safety of students and staff remains the department's top priority, acknowledging that many local families and employees continue to face storm-related disruptions in their homes.
Hurricane Lala has led to the closure of two public schools on Hawaii Island as officials assess the damage caused by the storm.1
Naalehu Elementary School will remain closed from Monday, Aug. 17, through Thursday, Aug. 20, due to significant storm-related impacts on classrooms and campus facilities.34
Ka'u High & Pāhala Elementary School will also close on Monday, Aug. 17, while assessment teams evaluate campus conditions and local roadway accessibility.
The Department of Education has emphasized that the safety of students and staff is their top priority, as many local families continue to face disruptions in their homes due to the storm.56
Officials are particularly concerned about hazardous road conditions that prevent safe access to the schools.
The storm has caused significant damage to the campuses, prompting the need for thorough inspections before students and staff can return.
As assessments continue, the community is urged to remain vigilant and prioritize safety during this recovery period.
“Naalehu Elementary will remain shut from Monday through Thursday, while Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary closes only on Monday for inspections. Department of Education officials cite storm-related classroom damage and nearby road closures, prioritizing student and staff safety amid ongoing home disruptions.”
Hawaii News Now
