Maui Chooses New Site for Relocated King Kamehameha III School

The relocation of King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Maui has been confirmed following a comprehensive review process. The school, which originally opened in 1913 on Front Street in Lahaina, was severely damaged by a fire in August 2023. Officials announced that the new site for the school will be located at Ku‘ia, approximately 0.6 miles mauka from its original location.

Community Involvement and Decision Process

Determining a suitable site for the school posed several challenges. The original Front Street location is significant for its cultural heritage, as it is known to hold iwi kupuna, or ancestral bones. This fact raised concerns about disturbing the site, which is also situated within a tsunami flood zone. As a result, safety considerations further complicated the decision-making process.

Over the past seven months, a series of community outreach efforts and consultations were conducted to gather input from local residents and stakeholders. This engagement aimed to ensure that the needs and concerns of the community were adequately addressed in the planning of the new school site.

Project Details and Future Steps

On Thursday, officials confirmed that the project would proceed with an estimated budget of $162 million. This investment will facilitate the construction of a new facility designed to meet modern educational standards while respecting the cultural significance of the area. The project will include necessary cultural and environmental surveys, which are expected to take place in the coming months.

The move marks a significant step forward for the community of Lahaina, as it seeks to rebuild and recover from recent challenges. As plans develop, the focus will remain on creating a safe and culturally respectful environment for future generations of students.