Hawaiʻi State Department of Education

As recovery efforts continue, schools in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu have developed plans to reconnect students with their teachers, classmates and learning to help provide greater consistency and routine, including in-person learning. Students at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and Nāʻālehu Elementary are preparing to resume in-person learning next week.

✨ Our latest issue of Hoʻohaʻaheo is out! Read about continuing recovery efforts in Kaʻū, four HIDOE middle schools that earned a national recognition, a new ‘uala swirl bun menu item, Miss Hawai‘i 2026 from Kealakehe High School and more! https://lnks.gd/3/3b7PjnJ 📷 Ho’oha’aheo Photo of the Week: Pu‘u Kukui Elementary School fourth graders discovered how the popular Japanese wooden toy kendama can be a powerful tool for academic success when used mindfully. On Aug. 12, Joshua Grove of the educational nonprofit Mindfulness Through Play visited the school to introduce students to techniques that combine play, movement and mindfulness. The organization’s mission is to help students develop emotional regulation skills that support their mental health and well-being in a fun and active way. During physical education class, students learned how to incorporate kendama play with breathing techniques, physical exercise and mindfulness practices. The activities helped students build focus, practice self-regulation and develop resilience—all skills that can support success in and out of the classroom. Credit: Kimberly Tanaka / Pu‘u Kukui Elementary School

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education has developed plans to resume in-person learning for students at Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School and Nāʻālehu Elementary School as recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Lala. Also today, more than 2,000 meals were distributed on the first day of a weekly meal box distribution (pictured). Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary will reopen to students for in-person learning Monday, Aug. 31. Nāʻālehu Elementary students will begin at-home learning through instructional packets this week, with temporary in-person instruction scheduled to begin Wednesday, Sept. 2, at an alternate location while recovery of the school campus continues. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gC4gHvBs

As Hawaiʻi public schools welcome students back, school cafeterias are offering more choices at mealtime, including new breakfast and lunch options featuring local ingredients and flavors. This school year, students statewide will have two lunch entrée choices — one featuring an animal protein and one vegetarian option. While some schools offered multiple entrée choices last year, the expanded selection will now be available statewide. New and expanded menu offerings include banana pancake with haupia sauce and ʻuala swirl bun during breakfast and loco moco with ʻulu gravy and tofu salad for lunch. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gCVE8Wmz

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education continues recovery and planning efforts for Nāʻālehu Elementary School and Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School following significant impacts from Hurricane Lala. Nā‘ālehu Elementary (pictured) and Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary remain temporarily closed to students and staff. Due to uncertainty with potential impacts from the pending storm, restoration of utilities, and safe access to the campuses, the Department will finalize and share plans for resuming educational programming early next week. https://lnkd.in/gn4fyG8s

ʻAiea Intermediate, ʻĪao Intermediate, Niu Valley Middle and Pāhoa High & Intermediate schools are named 2026 “Schools of Distinction” by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), placing them among only 39 schools in the U.S. to earn the honor this year. These four Hawai‘i middle schools are setting the standard for middle-grade best practices. AMLE Schools of Distinction recognize and celebrate schools that are actively implementing the five essential attributes and characteristics (responsive, challenging, empowering, equitable and engaging) of successful middle grades schools. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gdkhFYpR

A new school year brings new goals, new opportunities and plenty to look forward to! We asked students and staff at ‘Ilima Intermediate: What are you most looking forward to this school year? From making memories with friends to reaching new goals, their answers remind us that there’s a lot to be excited about. Here’s to starting the school year with a positive mindset, hopeful hearts and plenty of possibilities!

HIDOE's Ka‘ū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa Complex Area Office is collecting donations for families and communities affected by Hurricane Lala. Donations of goods and supplies can be dropped off at 16-586 Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road in Kea‘au. Monetary donations can be made to vibranthawaii.org and hawaiiislandstrong.org.  For more information, contact Jason Schafer at jason.schafer@k12.hi.us

✨ Our latest issue of Hoʻohaʻaheo is out! Read about the recovery efforts from Hurricane Lala, free workshops for families hosted by Parents for Public Schools Hawai’i, meet a dietician who graduated from Kalāheo High School who’s now helping to improve school meals with local ingredients and more! https://lnks.gd/3/3b3MtqW 📷 Ho’oha’aheo Photo of the Week: Kaʻelepulu Elementary School third- and fourth-grade summer school students turned tragedy into action by advocating for safer streets following a fatal pedestrian accident outside their school in 2023. Working alongside artist Lauren Roth, the students designed a crosswalk mural that will be painted on the pavement at the intersection of Keolu Drive and Akiohala Street during the weekend of Sept. 19. Inspired by the mo‘olelo of Ka‘elepulu Pond, the artwork symbolizes the power of community and the importance of coming together for safety. Throughout the summer, the students presented their vision to the City & County’s Department of Transportation Services, Kailua Neighborhood Board and the Honolulu Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA), earning support and approvals from each group. On Aug. 5, the students visited Honolulu Hale, where they were recognized by the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts for their leadership and advocacy. Credit: Sara Wong / Ka‘elepulu Elementary School

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will resume normal operations at public schools statewide Wednesday, Aug. 19, following post-storm campus assessments, utility restoration and recovery efforts. Visit https://lnkd.in/gn4fyG8s for the latest updates.