(ABOVE IMAGE) A NOAA sat. image shows the current location of Tropical Storm Ana.

NEWS BRIEF

• The Hawaii State Department of Education will close all public schools on Hawaii Island on Friday, Oct. 17 in anticipation of severe weather.
• All inter-scholastic athletic events and student activities are canceled beginning Thursday and through the weekend, resuming when schools reopen.

PRIMARY SOURCE

With Tropical Storm Ana expected to strengthen over the next 12 hours, the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) will close all public schools on Hawaii Island on Friday, Oct. 17. Closures are being made in anticipation of severe weather.

Students and staff of these schools will be dismissed at the end of the school day tomorrow. Additionally, all inter-scholastic athletic events and student activities are canceled beginning Thursday and through the weekend, resuming when schools reopen.

Many DOE schools serve as emergency shelters; however, County Civil Defense agencies have determined which schools are activated shelters. Please note the following:

Hawaii County designated shelters:
Kau High & Pahala Elementary
Keaau High
Kohala High & Elementary
Kealakehe High
Konawaena High
Hilo High
Waiakea High
Pahoa High & Intermediate
Honokaa High & Intermediate
Waikoloa Elementary

Please check with State or County Civil Defense for more information on emergency shelters. For updated information on public school operations, follow the DOE on Twitter at @HIDOE808.

For more information on public charter schools’ closures, visit http://www.chartercommission.hawaii.gov/. Hawaii Dept. of Education on Oct. 15