HIDOE leadership issues parent letter regarding recent Maui school threats
STATE OF HAWAI‘I
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
KA ‘OIHANA HO‘ONA‘AUAO
P.O. BOX 2360
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I 96804
KEITH T. HAYASHI
SUPERINTENDENT
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
February 28, 2024
Aloha Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihāko‘i-Maui Complex Area Parents and Guardians,
We are writing to address the recent series of threats that have been made against several
of our Maui schools. We understand the fear and concern that such incidents provoke
among families and want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students and
staff remain our utmost priority.
It is deeply troubling that individuals would seek to disrupt the learning environment and
instill fear within our community. We want to be clear: Threats of any kind are taken
extremely seriously, and we are working diligently alongside law enforcement agencies to
thoroughly investigate each instance and ensure that our campuses remain safe havens
for learning.
We are grateful for the invaluable partnership with the Maui Police Department, whose
prompt response and dedication have been instrumental in managing this situation
effectively. The recent arrests of three suspects in two of the cases speaks to the serious
nature of these offenses. In addition to criminal charges, terroristic threats are considered
Class A student misconduct offenses, the most serious under the Hawai‘i State
Department of Education’s (Department) rules; penalties can range from detention to
dismissal. Privacy laws prohibit schools and the Department from disclosing student
disciplinary information that does not directly pertain to one’s child.
While we recognize and respect the decisions of parents who have chosen to keep their
children home from school due to safety concerns, we want to emphasize that our schools
are safe environments. We have implemented comprehensive safety protocols and
continue to enhance our security measures to safeguard against potential threats. Our
dedicated team of administrators, faculty and staff remain vigilant and proactive in our
efforts, including providing mental health and counseling resources.
Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihāko‘i-Maui Complex Area Parents and Guardians
School safety is a continual community effort and your voice is a critical part in keeping our
campus safe. We appreciate your help in remaining vigilant and speaking up immediately if
you see or hear something that could pose a threat or put anyone in danger. Additionally,
we encourage open communication between families and schools to ensure that we can
address any questions or apprehensions you may have.
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and continued support.
Should you have any questions, please contact Desiree Sides, Complex Area
Superintendent for Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihāko‘i-Maui Complex, at 808-243-1300 or via
email at desiree.sides@k12.hi.us.
Sincerely, Sincerely,
Keith T. Hayashi Desiree Sides
Superintendent Complex Area Superintendent
Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihāko‘i-Maui Complex Area
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c: Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kulanihāko‘i-Maui Complex Area
Office of the Superintendent