Hirono, Hawaii Delegation Urge Army Corps of Engineers to Work with HIDOE to Swiftly Construct Temporary Replacement for Kamehameha III Elementary School

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-HI) and Ed Case (D-HI) sent a letter to Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, the Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, urging the Army Corps to provide the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) with the resources and support it needs to build a school to temporarily replace Kamehameha III Elementary School as quickly as possible.

“Before the recent wildfires, 3,001 students and hundreds of teachers and staff members from HIDOE’s Lahainaluna Complex—which includes Lahainaluna High, Lahaina Intermediate, Princess Nahienaena Elementary, and Kamehameha III Elementary—were getting ready to start the school year,” wrote the lawmakers. “But these students, teachers, and staff members had their lives completely upended by the wildfires.”

Next month, the HIDOE plans to reopen Lahainaluna High, Lahaina Intermediate, and Princess Nahienaena Elementary Schools. However, students from Kamehameha III Elementary—which was completely destroyed in the fires—will be co-located at Princess Nahienaena Elementary until a temporary school can be built.

“HIDOE has been working to build a temporary school for the students, teachers, and staff members of Kamehameha III Elementary,” continued the lawmakers. “This temporary school will provide a short-term solution for students, teachers, and staff members until a permanent school can be built in its place.”

Following the HIDOE’s request for funding to build the temporary school, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) tasked the project to the Army Corps of Engineers.

“We urge you to work closely with HIDOE and provide it with whatever resources and supports it needs to build a temporary school that meets the needs of the Kamehameha III Elementary’s students, teachers, and staff members,” concluded the lawmakers. “Many in West Maui are still healing from the wildfires, but our work continues to make sure those affected have the resources they need to rebuild in a way that reflects their values.”

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear LTG Spellmon:

Thank you for your work to support those who have been affected by the devastating wildfires on Maui. Federal resources will continue to be critical as the West Maui community starts the rebuilding process, and your agency will play an important role in this process. We write to encourage you to provide the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) with whatever resources and support it needs to build a school to temporarily replace Kamehameha III El as quickly as possible.

Before the recent wildfires, 3,001 students and hundreds of teachers and staff members from HIDOE’s Lahainaluna Complex – which includes Lahainaluna High, Lahaina Inter, Princess Nahienaena El, and Kamehameha III El – were getting ready to start the school year. But these students, teachers, and staff members had their lives completely upended by the wildfires. Some have since relocated to other schools, others have moved to distance learning, and still others are waiting for their schools to reopen. Many will need more time to heal before they are ready to return to campus.

In the meantime, HIDOE has been working to reopen Lahainaluna High, Lahaina Inter, and Princess Nahienaena El as quickly as possible – while taking appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of the students, teachers, and staff members from these schools. In addition, HIDOE has been working to build a temporary school for the students, teachers, and staff members of Kamehameha III El. This temporary school will provide a short-term solution for students, teachers, and staff members until a permanent school can be built in its place.

Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency tasked your agency with providing the necessary resources to build a school to temporarily replace Kamehameha III El. We urge you to work closely with HIDOE and provide it with whatever resources and support it needs to build a temporary school that meets the needs of the Kamehameha III El’s students, teachers, and staff members.

Many in West Maui are still healing from the wildfires, but our work continues to make sure those affected have the resources they need to rebuild in a way that reflects their values. We thank you for your attention to this important matter and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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