DOE weighs options for Maui school rebuild

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Department of Education has pinpointed three potential locations for the permanent reconstruction of King Kamehameha III Elementary School on Maui.

The identified sites include the school’s original site on Front Street, the Pulelehua community where the current temporary campus is situated, and Puu Kolii Village Mauka in the Kaanapali community.

Beyond the imperative of establishing a permanent educational facility, the DOE also cited cost considerations as significant factors in the decision-making process.

“The longer it takes for us to rebuild, the higher the cost goes up. Right now, the land that we’re on is leased, and for the first three years, it’s basically a dollar a year, but after those three years, it escalates drastically.”

Rebecca Winkie, DOE Complex Superintendent for Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai

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The DOE aims to finalize a permanent site selection by this summer and invites public input through an online form, with comments being accepted until May 31.