Maui Children Return to School Amidst Devastation from Wildfire

Maui’s wildfire has wreaked havoc and destroyed various buildings including schools and campuses

Updated on: 19 August 2023 12:15 pm

Maui’s Wildfire

Maui's wildfire, counted as one of the deadliest wildfires in Hawaii's history, has claimed the lives of at least 111 people. The wildfire, besides taking the lives of people, also destroyed more than 2,200 homes and buildings, including various elementary schools and campuses.

Now, as several students start to return to school, children are facing grief and are devastated. On the other hand, parents are also facing challenges while letting their children resume school.

According to reports, state authorities are advising parents to enrol their kids in schools outside of the burn zone. The Hawaii State Department of Education stated on its website that those children who resided outside Lahaina but were attending schools there should now enrol themselves in different schools.

So far, a total of 400 students who lived and studied in the burn area have moved out and enrolled in other public schools. On the other hand, 200 students have signed up for distance learning, as per the information given by the state. A total of 3,000 students studied in the four schools located in Lahaina.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, various campuses that were not affected by the wildfire were reopened, said the department. It further added that the teachers and staff from those schools located in Lahaina in Maui's Upcountry, where a separate fire occurred, will resume school activities next week.

The death toll due to Hawaii's wildfire has reached 111, and officials have warned the figure may witness an increase as the search operation is still ongoing.