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West Maui families to weigh in on proposed Lahaina Elementary School site
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West Maui families to weigh in on proposed Lahaina Elementary School site

LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Kamehameha Schools is offering its land to be the new home for the fire-damaged King Kamehameha III Elementary School on Front Street.

The proposed site is up to 16 acres of makai in the Lahaina Bypass and mauka in the tsunami inundation zone.

The newest proposed location is up to 16 acres on Kamehameha Schools land in Ku'ia.
The newest proposed location is up to 16 acres on Kamehameha Schools land in Ku’ia.(Kamehameha Schools)

West Maui resident David Weeks said he and other parents believe the site is unsafe.

“It’s in the dry fire zone. You have evacuation zones that, as we found out, were inadequate at best, and you already have three schools here, and the safety of the kids and just peace of mind,” said David Weeks, who attended the children at the school.

He said the youngest, who is currently in fourth grade, would like to return once the permanent school is built.

Kamehameha Schools said in a statement Wednesday that it recognizes that the final decision rests with the community and the Hawaii Department of Education.

DOE officials said in a statement Wednesday that Ku’ia is one of two sites they are currently evaluating.

Pulelehua is where the school’s temporary campus was built, north of Lahaina near Kapalua Airport.

A study last summer found that 54 percent of stakeholders did not support a permanent rebuild there.

Most people preferred the Front Street location, but this was ruled out for a number of reasons, including the discovery of iwi kupuna during debris removal.

So now the DOE is asking for feedback.

“If you’re a parent, show up, and even if you’re a young person, because this school is probably going to be for children who haven’t been born yet,” Weeks said. “I mean all of us who have children at that age, our children will already be gone. So it’s important for the whole community to come.”

The community meeting will be held on November 19 at the temporary site of King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Pulelehua.

To join the meeting, click Here.