West Maui teachers hoping DOE calls off school Aug. 8

WEST MAUI (KHON2) — It’s been over a week since Maui County council passed a resolution recommending the school year be pushed back until after the Maui wildfire anniversary.

Teachers are expected to report back to classrooms on July 30, while students are expected back August 5.

“I’m looking forward to a new year,” said King Kamehameha III teacher Kristen Silvey. “A lot of changes took place last year, a lot of adjustments. So I’m looking forward to just more of a stable school year.”

She was surprised to see school was still going to begin on August 5, and no mention of having the day off on August 8.

“I assumed either we would start the following week, or at least have that day off,” Silvey added.

Maui County council passed a resolution recommending the school year for Maui County be pushed back to the following week, but the Department of Education says they haven’t discussed the matter yet.

“I prefer to start on Aug 5,” said Peachie Garcia, who is also a King Kamehameha III teacher. “Just because our students have already missed so much school. But I’m all for not obliging students to attend on the 8th.”

Both teachers believe it’s important for that date to be remembered, not just this year-but forever.

“Because this will go down in history, and, you know, it should never be forgotten or set aside,” Silvey added.

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They said a lot of students are still struggling with trauma and grief.

“Forcing them to attend on the anniversary, being at school could trigger painful memories, or hopefully not, but it could potentially worsen their emotional state,” Garcia said. “So, I think prioritizing mental health during that day would be beneficial for not only for the students, but also for the teachers.”

There are memorial and commemorative events set for the week.

Garcia said teachers outside of west Maui prefer starting on August 5th, but these two teachers do agree, August 8 needs to be a day of reflection.

Garcia says they also need time to strengthen support services.

“Sensitivity would, would definitely demonstrate that the school system cares about not just their academic performance, but their mental and emotional well-being also,” Garcia added.

If the DOE does not cancel that day, the teachers worry there won’t be enough substitute teachers to cover.

The HSTA and DOE haven’t returned our requests for official comment.