Local News

Students get a warm welcome as Lahaina Intermediate reopens

The Maui News

Lahaina Intermediate School faculty and staff cheered and waved signs Tuesday as they welcomed approximately 400 students back to their West Maui campus for the first time this academic year, the state Department of Education said in a news release.

Media was not allowed on the campus to view the first day back for the intermediate students following the Aug. 8 wildfires.

Class schedules were distributed upon arrival and students started the day with grade-level orientation assemblies followed by a rotating class schedule to meet all of their teachers, the news release said.

"My heart is overflowing seeing the faces of these kids coming in and them hugging each other, and the staff greeting them," Lahaina Intermediate School Principal Stacy Bookland said in a taped interview released by the DOE. "It has just been an overjoy for me. This is a long time coming so we're very happy to see everyone today."

She also commended her staff, saying they are amazing and are "so resilient." About 19 staff members lost their homes, she added.

Sixth grade science teacher Monica Wilfong explained how she would handle things the first days back.

"I try to make it as normal for me and what I normally would do, but also have the intention of 'we're getting to know each other' and everyone is in different places and to just to keep that in mind and know to take it slowly, not do the normal but also still be normal, if that makes sense," she said in a taped interview.

She said staff members have been there for each other and there has been an outpouring of support.

"There is not an obstacle you can't do without each other," Wilfong said.

Students said they were excited to be on campus with their teachers and peers and felt hopeful about the rest of the school year ahead.

"It felt really refreshing," said seventh grader Drew Briones in a news release. "I remember some old memories I had on this campus and it just felt really good. It was awesome."

Seventh grader Mariah Kauvaka added: "This school year I'm looking forward to making new friends, definitely creating good and fun memories that will last, and keeping my grades up and doing good in school."

The intermediate school is the second Lahaina public school campus to physically reopen to students this week. Lahainaluna High reopened Monday to around 700 students.

King Kamehameha III Elementary and Princess Nahi'ena'ena Elementary students are set to return today. Students and staff from King Kamehameha III will be sharing campus facilities with Nahi'ena'ena until a temporary school site at Pulelehua near Kapalua Airport opens. High-quality tent structures have been installed at Nahi'ena'ena to add classroom spaces that are equipped with air conditioning and laminate floors, the DOE said.