STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, October 4, 2023
*This meeting was a remote meeting under Section 92-3.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The meeting recording is available here.

PRESENT:
Warren Haruki, Chairperson
Bill Arakaki
Kahele Dukelow
Ken Kuraya
Makana McClellan
Lauren Moriarty

EXCUSED:
Kaimana Barcarse, Vice Chairperson
Shanty Asher

ALSO PRESENT:
Kenneth Fink, Director of Health, Department of Health
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, Deputy Superintendent of Strategy, Department of Education
Disa Hauge, Complex Area Superintendent, Complex Area Superintendent, Nanakuli-Waianae Complex Area
Capsun Poe, Board Executive Director
Lady Garrett, Secretary


I. Call to Order

Board Chairperson Warren Haruki called the Board of Education (“Board”) Special Meeting to order at 1:51 p.m.
Board Chairperson Haruki introduced Disa Hauge and expressed support for her appointment as the permanent complex area superintendent of the Nanakuli-Waianae complex. He noted that the Board received tremendous testimony in support of Hauge.

Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education (“Department”) expressed appreciation and shared that he has known Hauge for many years and she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the Nanakuli-Waianae area.

Hauge expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve and thanked the staff from the Nanakuli-Waianae complex area. She shared that she is overwhelmed and expressed appreciation for the support.


II. Report of the Superintendent
Board Chairperson Haruki called on Hayashi to provide the report of the superintendent.

Hayashi reported on the Department’s response efforts to support Maui since the August 8, wildfires. He announced that on Friday staff from Lahaina schools who are temporarily assigned to other schools would return to Lahaina campuses and students will return after fall break.

Hayashi stated that the Department is working closely with the Department of Health (“DOH”) to ensure schools are safe to reopen. He noted that DOH has the authority on public health and plans will proceed based on their guidance. Hayashi explained that Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of Health, Department of Health and his team have been instrumental partners in this process to finalize health and safety guidance based on Environmental Protection Agency and Center for Disease Control requirements. He noted that revised emergency action plans are in place for all schools, which address alternative emergency access and exit paths. Hayashi explained that campuses are located in a residential community with one main road in and out so discussions are ongoing to determine alternative routes should mass evacuations be necessary in the future.

Hayashi reported that the Department continues to monitor safety issues and conducted extensive environmental testing on air, water, and soil quality. He shared that Governor Green and Fink held a joint press conference in Lahaina to announce school reopening plans and DOH has installed air quality monitors at the three campuses and near the Lahaina bypass road. During the press conference Fink shared that the monitors set up several weeks ago consistently is showing that the air quality is green on the safety scale, meaning air quality is good. Hayashi stated that the network of monitors are maintained and operated by trained government agencies which, provides an hourly update of air quality for each monitor. He shared that guidance is going to be forthcoming focused on the responsibility of the Department and schools with respect to monitoring and responding to changes in air quality and wildfire threats and outline the action plan for schools.

Hayashi explained that for drinking water quality, data for the three schools from Maui County’s Department of Water Supply indicated “non-detect” for all volatile compounds at the campuses. During the press conference, Fink shared that water sampling was from the treatment plant above the high school, which provides water to all three campuses.

Hayashi explained that for soil quality, no observations have been made of visible ash at the three schools after the fire. DOH recommended not to do soil testing, but out of an abundance of caution, the Department hired an independent consultant to look for heavy metals and dioxins at the three schools with the results posted on the Department’s website.

Oyadomari-Chun shared that the Department’s website includes a status update and links to the technical reports and noted that air, water, and soil quality are safe. She explained that the updated presentation shows that all schools have completed professional cleaning.

Oyadomari-Chun stated that the facilities and grounds maintenance include grass cutting and landscaping and will continue during the fall break. She also stated that electricity and internet has been restored and telephones are now operational at Lahainaluna School.

Oyadomari-Chun acknowledged concerns about potential evacuation routes and the Department is working on evacuation routes to find solutions to be in place when students return to school.

Oyadomari-Chun shared an update on the temporary Pulelehua campus in Kapalua and an announcement with the United States Army Corp of Engineers took place last week. The temporary school is expected to be open in 2024 and will likely be in use for several years.

Oyadomari-Chun reported that the Department has made contact with 99.9% of families. As of now, contact has not been made with 13 students and the Department is communicating with the FBI about these students. She shared that fall break programs will be available for students including a family program outreach day on October 12. Oyadomari-Chun stated that the $10 million provided by Governor Green was used for cleaning and testing and there is potentially $17 million in repair and maintenance funds that may be repurposed under the emergency proclamation. Additionally, the Department is seeking funding through FEMA reimbursements, insurance, federal grants and philanthropic funds and will be making an appropriation request from the Legislature.

Kalama Takahashi, testified in support of Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) efforts for Lahaina ohana (family) and expressed appreciation for kumu (teacher) to clear the path forward.

Manuel Kuloloia, testified regarding the latest Maui wildfire information.

Kanoelani Stewart, testified in support of the Kula Kaiapuni for Lahaina and noted that members had sought out and secured funding to stand up a temporary site. She requested written assurance from the Board and the Department to welcome keiki (children) to the temporary site.

Mikey Burke, testified in support for the Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) for Lahaina. He urged the Board to continue to support efforts to stay temporarily in northwest Maui given the health and safety of keiki (children) and kumu (teacher).

Palama Tanaka, testified in support of the Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) and expressed appreciation for the support. She emphasized that the community has come together to make the Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) campus happen.

Hayashi reiterated that the Department continues to communicate with DOH who is the subject matter expert regarding safety, which has determined that all campuses are safe. Board Chairperson Haruki expressed appreciation for the partnership with DOH to help address concerns with the safety of returning to the affected areas.

Board Member Dukelow suggested thinking about the different ways for everyone to access information and emphasized that communication should be clear on air, soil, and water safety and evacuation routes. She acknowledged that families have stood up the Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) through this time for their keiki (children) which ends this Friday and asked if there is a process to lay out how this discussion happens with the community.

Board Member Dukelow asked to create space to have a conversation on what will happen for the Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) community.

Board Member McClellan echoed comments from Board Member Dukelow and recognized the testimonies because it is a shared kuleana (responsibility) to see what can be done to malama (take care of) the community.

Board Chairperson Haruki suggested that the Department and Board work together given the governance requirements to figure out a process for the path forward. He noted that having a formal letter outlining what the request is relating to a separate K-12 campus would help to start.

Board Member Kuraya expressed support and emphasized the important opportunity. He also noted that decisions should not be made haphazardly.

Board Member Moriarty stated that there are long-term implications and both short and long-term issues to be addressed.

Board Member Arakaki expressed support to develop a committee to help support including what legislation can help to establish a process. He suggested creating a concrete process so that plans are expeditious for the Maui community. He also noted that it would have implications for other communities that are looking to create something similar.

Board Member McClellan expressed support for putting a timeline in place so that the Board can provide the community with a good faith effort.

Board Chairperson Haruki explained that based on consultation a permitted interaction group will need to be created at a separate meeting.

Board Member McClellan reiterated that time is short and expressed support to develop a process to help the community who is directly dealing with impacted keiki (children) that have already experienced trauma.

Board Member Dukelow shared that communication is happening and the Department has been working to engage the community in the short-term so that a collective conversation can take place.

Board Chairperson Haruki expressed appreciation for the report and for all the efforts of the staff to help the community.


III. Action Items

Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on this agenda item.

Julie Reyes-Oda, member of the public, testified that the Department is asking for supplemental budget monies past the current school year and noted that the school year started with a teacher shortage. She stated that teacher differentials help with recruitment issues and asked where the differentials are in the line item request.

Hayashi clarified those teacher differentials for hard to fill, special education and Kula Kaiapuni were added into the base budget during the last legislative session. He noted that the differentials are in the Department’s base budget.

Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Kuraya moved, on behalf of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, to approve the recommendations concerning the Department’s supplemental operating budget request for FY25. Board Member Arakaki seconded.

Board Chairperson Haruki asked if there were any objections to the motion. No Board member raised objections, and the motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present (Board Members Arakaki, Dukelow, Kuraya, McClellan, and Moriarty).

ACTION: Motion to approve the recommendations concerning the Department’s supplemental operating budget request for FY25. (Kuraya/Arakaki). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.

Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one testified on this agenda item.

Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Kuraya moved, on behalf of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, to approve the recommendations concerning the Department’s CIP budget request for FY25. Board Member Arakaki seconded.

Board Chairperson Haruki asked if there were any objections to the motion. No Board member raised objections, and the motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present (Board Members Arakaki, Dukelow, Kuraya, McClellan, and Moriarty).

ACTION: Motion to approve the recommendations concerning the Department’s CIP budget request for FY25. (Kuraya/Arakaki). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.


Board Chairperson Haruki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No one testified on this agenda item.

Board Member and Finance and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Kuraya moved, on behalf of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee to approve the recommendations concerning the HSPLS supplemental operating budget and CIP request for FY25. Board Member McClellan seconded.

Board Chairperson Haruki asked if there were any objections to the motion. No Board member raised objections, and the motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present (Board Members Arakaki, Dukelow, Kuraya, McClellan, and Moriarty).

ACTION: Motion to approve the recommendations concerning the HSPLS supplemental operating budget and CIP request for FY25. (Kuraya/McClellan). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.


IV. Adjournment

Board Chairperson Haruki adjourned the meeting at 3:42 p.m.

List of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting


NAME
Organization
Agenda Item
Elizabeth BowenII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Jezelyn GonsalvesII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Maile TualaII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Shannon KalauliII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Lyndee SprengerII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Nahau KeahiII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Kapua LeopoldinoII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Lei BlandoII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Susan Pcola-DavisII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts
Haley van NoordII. Report of the Superintendent, Maui Wildfire Impacts