HONOLULU (KHON2) -- A new report from the Department of Education revealed the community's thoughts on the rebuild plan for King Kamehameha III Elementary School.
The Department of Education received almost 300 responses from faculty and staff, current school family members, alumni, and other community members from both online and community meetings.
King Kamehameha III Elementary School was one of the many sites destroyed in the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires.
While a temporary campus was built in only 95 days, the HIDOE hopes to find a permanent location to rebuild.
“The Department has been in discussions with the county on the needed infrastructure for the sites being considered for a permanent campus for King Kamehameha III Elementary," said Rebecca Winkie, Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokaʻi Complex Area Superintendent. "We are encouraged by the collective commitment from partner agencies to work together to provide a permanent replacement campus for King Kamehameha III as soon as possible to serve the Lahaina community.”
The community was offered three choices for the new permanent location: its original location on Front Street, Pulelehua, and Kaanapali 2020 -- Puukolii Village.
Surveys showed that 66.9% of community members preferred Front Street as the permanent location. Pulelehu came in second with 28.9% in favor. Kaanapali 2020- Puujolii Village Mauka was the least favored location at 3.6%.
In addition, HIDOE found community members were most concerned about the following:
- Cultural and history
- HIDOE's decision process
- The importance of planning for future rebuilding and growth