About 400 Naalehu Elementary students are back on their restored campus
Crews hauled out more than 600 tons of debris and refurbished about 40 rooms in under eight weeks. Students marked the return with an oli, hula, a lei for the school, and a run through welcome banners.
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About 400 students returned Monday to Nāʻālehu Elementary on Hawaiʻi Island, nearly two months after Hurricane Lala closed the campus, Hawaii News Now reported. The storm left mud and debris inside classrooms and damaged the support under one building. State facilities crews, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and private contractors finished the work in less than eight weeks.
More than 600 tons of debris came off the grounds, and about 40 rooms got new flooring, repaired ceilings, ceiling fans, paint, and mold cleanup. The playground was restored, and ruined furniture was replaced. Students gathered at the flagpole for an oli, hula, and a lei for the school, then ran through welcome-back banners. Principal Jason Britt said the noise in the halls is the school coming back to life.
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