Two North Shore public campuses, Haleʻiwa Elementary and Waialua High & Intermediate, will be closed Thursday after heavy rain left roads flooded and the trip to school too risky. Principals are notifying staff and families about the shutdowns, while crews keep an eye on conditions on nearby roadways. The closures cover the Waialua–Haleʻiwa area and are expected to throw a wrench into routine pickups and campus activities.
According to Gov. Josh Green, the campuses are closing "due to flooding and flooded roads affecting safe access," with schools reaching out directly to staff and families. The message was shared with local emergency partners and school administrators as the storm system swept across the island.
Weather watches remain in effect
The National Weather Service has a Flood Watch up for large portions of the islands and has also issued a High Wind Watch as the storm continues, warning of locally heavy rainfall and hazardous driving conditions. Those watches mean an increased chance of ponding, road washouts and sudden closures that can quickly make school routes impassable, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
North Shore flooding has been recent and severe
Parts of Waialua and Haleʻiwa have already dealt with flooding in recent weeks, with local reporting detailing evacuation orders and road closures after intense rainfall. It was a reminder of how fast streams and low-lying highways can go from wet to unsafe. That earlier flooding, including an evacuation in the Waialua area, is a key reason officials pulled the plug on classes as a safety precaution, as covered by Hawaii News Now.
What families should know
Parents and staff are urged to check official channels for the latest updates: the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education news feed and each campus website carry contact details and notices. Haleʻiwa Elementary and Waialua High & Intermediate each post alerts and phone numbers for families who need confirmation or pickup instructions.
Officials emphasized that even shallow standing water can be dangerous and urged residents not to drive through floodwater and to follow directions from emergency personnel while the heavy rain and gusty winds continue. This story will be updated as schools or state agencies release new information.
