North Shore learning lessons By The Garden Island | Wednesday, July 4, 2018, 12:05 a.m.
HAENA — Following the massive rainfall and flooding on Kauai in April, many residents experienced a high degree of uncertainty as schools, businesses, and roads were closed, leaving many stranded or displaced. Organizations and individuals — in Hawaii and elsewhere — took notice and contributed to the relief and recovery effort through the Hawai‘i Community Foundation resulting in students being able to access classes and complete the school year. “An issue that emerged very early on after the storm was the need to get keiki back in a safe and familiar environment so that families could focus on rebuilding their homes,” said Darcie Yukimura, HCF director of community philanthropy – Kaua‘i. “Through our work sharing information and resources, and bringing community members together, many students were back in class quickly and were able to complete the school year on time.” About 30-40 public school elementary, middle and high school students were impacted by damaged infrastructure and the inability to get to school. The school principals from Hanalei Elementary and Kapaa High, along with teachers and students, had an idea for a satellite campus that would enable all students access to their education. As the primary facilitator, HCF worked with the Hanalei PTSA and the Department of Education to provide access to school by creating satellite classrooms at Hanalei Colony Resort. Together with the support of the community, satellite classrooms were able to open just three days after the reopening of Hanalei School and provided a much needed alternative for students, especially those who regularly travel more than 20 miles from the north side of Kauai to attend Kapaa High School. “For the Kapaa students who lost electricity or internet services, whose house was completely flooded and they couldn’t do online learning or email their teachers, the satellite school was a tremendous help. They could just go and get their homework done, have something to eat, be normal,” said Daniel Hamada, principal at Kapa‘a High. “None of our high schoolers fell behind. Everyone was able to fulfill their requirements, pass their classes and move up to the next level. All of our seniors finished out the school year and graduated with their friends.”