Multiple Schools Closed After Weekend Storm

Extensive damage reported across Hawaii, leading to temporary campus closures.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 1:49am

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The Hawaii State Department of Education has reported over 500 work orders related to storm damage following a second kona low storm that brought heavy rain and localized flooding. As a result, several schools on Hawaii Island, Oahu, and Molokai will be closed on Monday, March 23, or for the full week of March 23-27 to allow for cleanup and repairs. The most common issues include roof leaks, water intrusion, downed trees, and flooding, with some schools reporting more extensive damage.

Why it matters

The storm damage has disrupted school operations across Hawaii, forcing temporary closures that will impact students, teachers, and families. The closures highlight the vulnerability of Hawaii's school infrastructure to extreme weather events, raising concerns about the state's preparedness and ability to quickly recover from such incidents.

The details

The Department of Education has received over 500 work orders related to storm damage, with 42 incidents requiring insurance review due to more significant impacts. The most common issues include roof leaks, water intrusion into classrooms, downed trees, and localized flooding. While many campuses experienced minor to moderate impacts, some schools like Konawaena High School on Hawaii Island will transition to distance learning during the closure to allow for remediation efforts.

  • The second kona low storm hit Hawaii over the past weekend.
  • Schools will be closed on Monday, March 23, or for the full week of March 23-27 to allow for cleanup and repairs.

The players

Hawaii State Department of Education

The state agency responsible for overseeing Hawaii's public school system, which is assessing the storm damage and coordinating the school closures.

Konawaena High School

A high school on Hawaii Island that will transition to distance learning during its closure to allow for remediation efforts.

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What’s next

The Department of Education will continue assessing damage and coordinating repairs at the affected schools, with the goal of reopening campuses as soon as it is safe to do so.

The takeaway

The extensive storm damage to Hawaii's schools highlights the need for increased investment in infrastructure resilience to protect educational continuity during extreme weather events. As climate change intensifies, the state must prioritize strengthening school facilities to ensure students can reliably access in-person learning.