With flood repairs nearly done, Hokulani Elementary seeks move-in help

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Four months after floodwaters ravaged Hokulani Elementary School in St. Louis Heights, repairs on 12 damaged classrooms are nearly complete, but teachers and staff say they still need the community’s help.

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Construction crews are working on final touch-ups this week. The school said new carpets and flooring are being installed, along with new sinks and closets and new bulletin boards.

The Manoa Stream overflowed onto the campus during the March Kona low storm, forcing students out of classrooms and prompting parents to rush to pick up their children.

“We were lifting them into cars saying goodbye, and we really had no idea our rooms had been affected until all the little ones had been picked up,” kindergarten teacher Maile Inskeep said. “Then we went back and saw our rooms had been hit too.”

Special education preschool teacher Marissa Badua said teachers prioritized getting students to safety during the flooding.

“My son’s teacher had to carry him,” Badua said. “I feel like the day of the flood they really did step into the role of a hero because that was their first priority making sure the kids got out of here safely.”

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The school said donations of needed items poured in after the flooding, but staff are now asking for help moving desks, chairs and supplies into the repaired classrooms.

Hokulani Elementary will hold a move-in day Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and staff said they hope more volunteers stop by.

“We do need help building shelves and racks because the teachers won’t have the time to do it all in the week that they have to prep for the new school year,” said principal Ervin Pasalo.

“We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. It’s just a nice homecoming,” Inskeep said. “We feel like we can finally get settled in and start a new year.”

Those who can’t make it Saturday but still want to help can donate through the school’s website here.

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