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Return to school stirs up mixed emotions for Lahaina teachers

Public schools in West Maui to reopen next week

By Melissa Tanji 6 min read

As three Lahaina public schools reopen this coming week, more than two months after a deadly fire destroyed the town, teachers are both excited to see their students and concerned about lingering effects of the fire.

"I'm a little conflicted," said Lahaina Intermediate teacher Patrick Whalen.

On one hand, he's grateful to have a school to go back to that wasn't damaged in the Aug. 8 fires, and he's looking forward to being back with his faculty and co-workers.

On the other hand, he has concerns over any residue left by the fires near the schools, as well as the students' mental health and well-being.

But Whalen added that he knows there has been a big push from the West Maui community to keep the education close to home and a "strong desire to remain in Lahaina" and "keep community together."

The sixth grade social studies teacher said overall he's "very excited" to get back with students.

This coming week, the three Lahaina public schools not damaged in the Aug. 8 fire will reopen to students, as environmental tests showed it was safe to return, officials said at the end of September. The campuses have also been cleaned, and both power and internet are back up and running at the schools, according to DOE's online progress report.

Lahainaluna High opens Monday, Lahaina Intermediate opens Tuesday and Princess Nahi'ena'ena Elementary opens Wednesday. Students from King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which was damaged beyond repair by the fire, also will return on Wednesday and share a campus with Princess Nahi'ena'ena.

Lahainaluna math teacher Cornelio "CJ" Ancheta said the students had a "great transition" to attending high school while sharing a campus with Kulanihako'i High in Kihei, an arrangement that ended Oct. 5 prior to fall break beginning.

But "they couldn't wait to go back to their original school," Ancheta said of his students.

"You have that sense of belongingness and collectiveness," he said.

As for any concerns over the environmental health of the campuses, with some sitting near the burn zones, Ancheta pointed to a letter from Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai Complex Area Superintendent Rebecca Winkie outlining tests done that show the campuses are safe for students to return.

"I have to trust the authorities because they are there to support us," Ancheta said.

But, he added, "My wishful thinking is that whoever the agencies involved, they are going to make sure there is regular monitoring of the air quality, soil quality and water quality."

But other teachers are still concerned about the impacts of the fire. Justin Hughey, who previously taught at King Kamehameha III Elementary, says he would not feel safe teaching at Princess Nahi'ena'ena and has asked to be reassigned. He was placed at Kahului Elementary School.

"The big problem is Princess is 2,500 feet from a major burn zone," Hughey explained.

He questioned what would happen if there were bulldozers nearby, or if the wind whipped up dust and ash.

"There is no way you can keep all the toxic ash from blowing around," he said.

Hughey said he doesn't know of any plan in place to protect from airborne dust from the burn area and is concerned over whether anything will be done about it.

The state Department of Education has air quality monitors at each of the campuses and has posted links to real-time data on its website. There are also data, information and links for water quality and soil testing.

The DOE said on its website that each school will have a designated administrator who will be responsible for monitoring changes in air quality. More than 300 indoor air filters will be distributed at each of the campuses.

"We will continue to closely monitor air quality with the DOH (Department of Health)," state Department of Education spokeswoman Nanea Kalani said Thursday evening.

She said the soil testing has been completed and that water quality is being monitored by Maui County and the DOH.

Parents and teachers also raised concerns during a meeting with state lawmakers last month over evacuation plans for the schools in the event of another fire.

On Friday, Gov. Josh Green announced the completion of a 2.5-mile emergency access route running from the Lahainaluna fire lane to the Lahaina Bypass. The construction of the route by the state Department of Transportation cost about $550,000.

A second phase to add access points at Hookahua Street and on Lahainaluna Road near the bypass is currently under construction.

School officials, the Maui Police Department, Maui Fire Department and DOT staff have keys for the gates to the emergency access route and will be able to open during an evacuation, the Governor's Office said.

DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi said the emergency route will be incorporated into the schools' action plans.

Despite concerns, Kalani said the DOE anticipates that "the vast majority of staff will be returning to the Lahaina schools" and that there were "a small number of temporary relocation requests." She did not provide specific figures.

Kalani said decisions on the temporary relocation requests were made based on the needs of the department, taking student enrollment impacts into account.

As for students, for planning purposes, the DOE is preparing as though all students are returning, Kalani said.

"But we're continuing to engage with families to help ensure a smooth process for those letting us know that they plan to return to the Lahaina campuses," she said.

There were around 1,300 survey responses from parents regarding their plans for when the Lahaina schools reopen after fall break.

Principals were also reaching out directly to families, Kalani said.

Prior to the fire, 3,001 students had preregistered for the current school year at the four Lahaina public schools. As of Oct. 3, there were 703 Lahainaluna High School students attending school temporarily at Kulanihako'i High; 907 students who transferred to another DOE school; 794 students who applied for distance learning; 154 students who transferred to a public charter school and 88 who transferred to a private school, according to the DOE.

It also said it was able to contact 99.9 percent of students who preregistered for Lahaina schools.

Acknowledging the possible need for more mental health support, Kalani said the DOE is working on sending 20 more mental health staff to Maui with 12 specifically designated to the Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai Complex Area.

The DOE's Maui District has 133 mental health staff supporting all Maui public schools. This includes 17 dedicated school-based behavioral health staff in the Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai Complex Area. There are four behavioral health specialists and 11 school counselors assigned specifically to support the Lahaina campuses.

Bus transportation to the three Lahaina public schools is also being provided via three different routes: a West Maui route stopping at Kapalua Airport and Whaler's Village; a Kihei route stopping at Kalama Park in Kihei and Kai Hele Ku and Haniu Streets in Lahaina; and a Central Maui route from War Memorial Stadium.

Students must register for both school and bus prior to using transportation services. Those with questions may email stsb@k12.hi.us.

For updates and information on West Maui schools, see hawaiipublicschools.org and click on "West Maui Schools."

* Staff Writer Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.

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