Schools Adjacent to Maui Wildfire Zone Prepare to Reopen, Prompting Parental Debate on Children’s Safety

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Students assemble at makeshift desks on a church patio, located several miles from the site of their incinerated school. Freshly-delivered textbooks sit in plastic containers, and children play during recess on the neighboring resort’s golf course.

The devastating wildfire that razed the historic town of Lahaina in Maui earlier this summer dislocated numerous students, compelling families and educational authorities to devise alternative learning solutions.

More than two months have elapsed since the wildfire of August 8, which claimed at least 98 lives. This week marks the reopening of the three surviving public schools, presenting a critical juncture for the afflicted students and their families. They now face the dilemma of whether to return to their original schools or to continue at the alternative educational institutions that have accommodated them.

Despite assurances from educational authorities about the safety of the campuses, some parents remain hesitant, citing concerns about residual toxins from the fire.

Cailee Cuaresma, a sophomore at Lahainaluna High School, expressed her enthusiasm about returning. “It fills me with optimism and gratitude that our school is still intact,” she said. Over the last month, Cuaresma has been attending classes at the provisional campus of Sacred Hearts School, a Catholic establishment founded in 1862 that also suffered significant fire damage.

Schools like Sacred Hearts have offered sanctuary to dislocated public school students, including Cuaresma, providing a year of tuition-free education. Other students have had to travel significant distances or have resorted to online learning as an alternative.

In light of the present circumstances, schools have had to be resourceful. For instance, students attending classes at the temporary Sacred Hearts site are frequently relocated to shaded areas to protect them from the intense Lahaina sun. Tonata Lolesio, the Principal of Sacred Hearts, informed the student body that it could be up to two years before they could return to a completely rebuilt campus.

Class scheduling has also had to be adapted to the constraints of space, and preparations are underway to erect tents to facilitate daily attendance for younger students.

One school in Lahaina, King Kamehameha III Elementary, was completely destroyed by the fire. Students from this school will be integrated into Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary, another school that was temporarily closed for post-fire cleaning. Despite being located near heaps of potentially hazardous ash, officials assert that air quality assessments validate the decision to reopen these schools.

Some parents, however, remain skeptical. Tiffany Teruya, whose son Puʻuwai Nahoʻoikaika is an eighth-grader at Lahaina Intermediate, said her son will not return to the school. Similarly, Debbie Tau intends to continue driving her children to schools in Kihei, as she harbors fears about air quality and potential long-term health risks.

In some cases, the experience has led families to reevaluate their educational choices altogether. Patrick Williams, for example, has decided that his son will remain at Sacred Hearts, despite the financial challenges this will entail.

Teachers, too, are adapting their approaches to connect with students impacted by the disaster. At Maui Preparatory Academy, Gabby Suzik, a science and math teacher, said she often reaches out to her Lahainaluna High students who have lost their homes, as she herself is a victim of the fire.

During a lesson on Hawaiian culture at Sacred Hearts, teacher Charlene Ako sought to engage third-graders by presenting them with an image of Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena adorned with a feathered lei, symbolic of Hawaii’s past monarchy. Nine-year-old Maile Asuncion, whose family has also been significantly impacted by the fire, participated by drawing a native Hawaiian bird, adding yet another layer to the complex emotional landscape that these students navigate daily.

For many, the path forward is uncertain, fraught with both logistical and emotional challenges. Yet, the community finds itself at a significant crossroads, one that could shape educational decisions and familial choices for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Maui Wildfire Schools Reopening

More about Maui Wildfire Schools Reopening

• Maui Wildfire: An Overview
• Hawaii Department of Education: School Reopening Plans
• Air Quality Tests Following Lahaina Fire
• Sacred Hearts School’s Rapid Response
• Alternative Schooling Options in Maui
• Mental Health Support for Displaced Students
• Long-term Educational Choices After the Fire
• Student Safety Measures During Natural Disasters
• Cultural Learning Programs in Maui Schools