Kamehameha Schools Pāhoa Preschool has relocated to the KS Hawai‘i campus in Keaʻau to keep keiki and staff members safe from the Kilauea lava flow that has been slowly plowing through the Puna region since June. The two temporary preschool classrooms are housed in the campus’ Charles Reed Bishop Library.
The preschool’s seven staff members began evacuation procedures on September 17 when it was projected that the lava would reach nearby Highway 130 within a week.
By September 18, all of the school's supplies, furniture and classroom equipment had been packed into a Matson container. Plans started immediately to locate and secure a temporary site for the preschool. As soon as the KS Hawai‘i site was ready, staffers began setting up their classrooms.
The preschool’s 32 keiki will be able to return to school once the Department of Human Services licensing requirements have been met for the temporary site. The licensing process includes site inspections and permitting for use of the space.
“KS Hawai‘i Headmaster Dr. Holoua Stender and his staff have been very gracious in welcoming us to campus so that we can finish out this school year with our Pāhoa Preschool keiki,” said Community-Based Early Childhood Education (CBECE) Associate Director Shelli Kim Aiona.
CBECE Educational Coordinator Karen Tomita says dealing with the lava flow has taken its toll on the community. The sight of moving trucks, businesses closing, and families having their “last meals” at their favorite restaurants, has left residents with lingering feelings of fear and uncertainty.
“The stress felt by staff and families is evidenced by parents sharing their emotional stories with us,” said Tomita. “It became very real when keiki would get picked up from school in trucks filled with boxes of home items.
“It has been a challenge to move quickly during the school year,” said Tomita. “We appreciate everyone’s support and patience as we worked to secure a new location. Our goal is to reopen as quickly as possible in order to continue to provide services for our keiki.”
According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory daily update, as of Friday October 31, the lava flow is stalled in a residential area approximately 170 yards above Pāhoa Village Road, about half a mile from the preschool site.
For updates on the Pāhoa Preschool relocation, please call CBECE Administrative Coordinator Ann Lindsey at 1-808-534-8305. For updates on the Puna Lava Flow, visit the flow front map on the United States Geological Survey website.
The KS ‘ohana continues to convey its concern and prayers for staff members, families and community members impacted by the Puna lava flow.
Jessika Garcia is a 2009 Kamehameha Schools Kapālama graduate serving as a communications intern with the KS Community Relations and Communications Group. She graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu in May of 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications Mass Media and is currently considering career options.
KS Hawai‘i Headmaster Dr. Holoua Stender and his staff have been very gracious in welcoming us to campus so that we can finish out this school year with our Pāhoa Preschool keiki.
Shelli Kim Aiona, Associate Director, KS Community-Based Early Childhood Education
Pāhoa Preschool’s playground and classrooms have stood empty since staffers packed up the school's supplies, furniture and classroom equipment more than a month ago.
Pāhoa Preschool is no stranger to disaster. When tropical storm Iselle tore through the Puna area in August, the school offered meals to impacted students and their families.
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