KĪHEI – The opening of the new Kūlanihāko‘i High School campus in Kīhei is being delayed while the Hawai‘i State Department of Education continues to work through the necessary steps to ensure the safety of all students.

An outstanding issue is a requirement set by the state Land Use Commission in 2013 that a grade-separated pedestrian crossing be built across Pi‘ilani Highway to access the campus. The Department was hopeful that the school could be allowed to open this month based on a pedestrian safety plan that includes crossing guards at the new Kūlanihāko‘i Street traffic roundabout and school-operated shuttles for students walking to and from school until the crossing is completed.

The Department is fully committed to working through all of the necessary requirements to open the school in a safe and timely manner, and is working closely with Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s administration on the best way forward. 

“We are at a very important juncture on this. The way to get students who want to attend Kūlanihāko‘i into their new school is by the State and the County working together to address critical and necessary requirements. I’m certain no agency, department, community leader and parent has ever wavered from the need for student safety first and foremost,” said Mayor Richard Bissen, Jr. “The County will not be issuing a temporary certificate of occupancy at this time and will be working very closely with the Department of Education to systematically get through the required steps. We are focused on the fact that the students are the ultimate beneficiary of all of our efforts.”

Kūlanihāko‘i High will continue to operate at its temporary location at Lokelani Intermediate School until further notice, and construction work on the Kūlanihāko‘i site will continue to proceed.