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In his August 2023 report to the Board of Education (BOE), Superintendent Keith Hayashi shared the Department’s latest details on the department’s response to the West Maui wildfire impacts as leaders navigate the significant impacts of the affected communities and schools in the Lāhaināluna complex.

Highlights include:

• The Department remains committed to prioritizing the health and safety of students, families and school communities. 
  
• To communicate with impacted staff and students, the Department has been working with Complex Area Superintendent Rebecca Winkie, her team and our four Lāhainā principals to provide support and information to employees and families via text messages and plain text emails.
• A HIDOE hotline was launched to support families and staff who are facing internet challenges and who need assistance with things like enrollment, school information or resources.
• Students and staff are being provided with mental health support — both in-person and through telehealth counseling. Staff have also been offered mental health support training from national experts to help prepare staff for the return of students following this disaster. 
• The Department will be convening employees of the four impacted Lāhainā schools at an off-site location, starting on Monday, Aug. 28, to come together, receive mental health supports, have time to meet as school teams, and receive training and information on how to support students and each other. Resource booths to provide information on housing options, FEMA assistance, Red Cross supports and other resources will also be available.
• Complex area and Lāhainā principals are organizing two community meetings for Wednesday, Aug. 30 — one in West Maui and one in Central Maui, to hear from families and community members. 
• The Department is grateful to our Maui Community Homeless Concerns Liaisons, Education for Homeless Children and Youth team members, Lāhainā principals, and the Maui complex area superintendents, for their dedication and care for the Maui community.