HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced Thursday that 34 previously suspended school bus routes across three islands will be reinstated starting Monday, August 12.
Service is being restored for approximately 1,200 student riders enrolled at 23 schools.
The reinstatement of the buses is said to be thanks to the ongoing efforts to address the statewide bus driver shortage.
DOE has secured additional drivers and buses through a new direct contract with Roberts Hawaii.
It's a week-to-week arrangement, enabled by Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation, will continue until Ground Transport can fully restore services on all impacted routes.
O‘AHU
ʻAiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area: 5 routes
- ʻAiea Intermediate - HR06A
- Aliamanu Middle - HR10A/HR10B, HR15A
- Alvah Scott Elementary - HR04A
- Moanalua Middle - HR21B
Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area: 5 routes
- Haleiwa Elementary - CR21A and Waialua Elementary - CR22A*
- Leilehua High - CR08B and Wahiawa Middle - CR08A*
- Mililani Middle - CR03A/CR03B, CR07A/CR07B
- Wheeler Middle - CR10A/CR10B
HAWAI‘I ISLAND
Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area: 5 routes
- Hilo Intermediate - TR07A
- Hilo Intermediate - TR02A, Hilo High - TR02A, Kapiolani Elementary - TR02B*
- Hilo High - TR08A
- Hilo Union Elementary - TR03B and Hilo High - TR03A*
- Kaʻumana Elementary - TR09A, TR09B
Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area: 9 routes
- Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary - SR05A, SR05B
- Keaʻau Elementary - SR26A, SR26B*
- Keonepoko Elementary - SR15A, SR15B*
- Mountain View Elementary - SR34A
- Naʻalehu Elementary - SR01A, SR02A, SR03A
- Pāhoa Elementary - SR08A and Pāhoa High and Intermediate - SR08B*
MAUI
- Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui Complex Area: 10 routes
- Kalama Intermediate - UR13A, UR15A, UR25A, UR30A, UR31A
- Kekaulike High - UR13A, UR15A, UR25A, UR29A, UR31A
*Routes have been consolidated.
“We understand how crucial reliable transportation is for our students and their families, and we are committed to doing everything possible to restore these bus routes quickly in working with our contractors. Our top priority is ensuring that students have safe, dependable access to school. We are grateful for the ongoing support from Governor Green and our county leaders as we work to resolve this situation and get all of our students back on the bus,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said.
Efforts to restore the remaining 113 suspended bus routes are ongoing.
Assistance from the Hawaii National Guard to support student transportation needs has been requested by Superintendent Hayashi.
Additionally, HIDOE has been collaborating with the mayors of Hawaii, Maui, and Honolulu counties to increase capacity on public transportation routes that students can use to get to and from school.
Parents and guardians of students affected by the route restorations will be notified directly of these updates along with information on requesting refunds for bus passes.