HONOLULU (KHON2) — More than 3,700 public school students will need to find a new way to get to school on Monday, Aug. 5 after driver shortages prompted the Hawaii Department of Education to suspend almost 150 bus routes.
A total of almost 3,720 students are affected on Oahu and the Big Island — middle and high school students in Aiea, Moanalua, Radford, Leilehua, Mililani and Waialua who signed up for the bus will now need to find a new way to get to class.
“It’s very painful for the parents, certainly not good for the students,” said DOE deputy superintendent of Operations Randy Moore, “and it’s a challenge for the schools because people descend on the school and say, ‘What’s the matter with you guys?’”
Qualifying students can get free City bus passes through the DOE. Students in Hilo, Waiakea, Kau, Keeau and Pahoa on Hawaii Island are also affected.
Parents do have the option to get mileage reimbursements if they drive their children to school, but a County councilmember pointed out that City busses do not have designated school drop-offs and money is not the only consideration for drivers.
“Saying that you can be reimbursed for gas, I don’t think is the biggest issue that most families will be facing here,” Hilo councilmember Jenn Kagiwada said. “I think it’s, you know, time, vehicle availability, those kind of things.”
Some upcountry Maui schools are also affected, KHON2 asked the DOE why the announcement was made so late.
“It wasn’t until Wednesday that we found out about Oahu and the big Island and 2 hours ago that we found out about upcountry Maui,” Moore said. “If there is any good news, It is that we truly expect this to be temporary.”
Officials said driver staffing for the 147 impacted routes will improve week by week, Gov. Josh Green announced an emergency proclamation that will give DOE officials flexibility to find interim solutions.
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Another challenge for families is after school care — 46 out of 163 schools have waiting lists for the Afterschool Plus program. The YMCA is offering hiring bonuses to fill positions, click here for more information.