Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter, Nov. 5

Aloha, HIDOE Community – 

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter.

E-bikes on campus
The safety of our students is always our top priority. With the growing popularity of electric bicycles (e-bikes) and other motorized vehicles, we have seen both the convenience they provide and the risks they pose. 

To help keep everyone safe, the following guidelines are in effect immediately for all HIDOE schools:

• Electric motorcycles - Electric motorcycles (sometimes called electric dirt bikes or recreational vehicles) are not allowed on any Department campuses or properties. These vehicles can reach very high speeds—well above 40 miles per hour—and are not designed for student use.
• E-bikes are not allowed on elementary or middle/intermediate school campuses. Under state law, children under the age of 15 are not permitted to have or operate e-bikes.
• For students 15 years of age and older, e-bikes are permitted on HIDOE high school campuses and property only if the bike is properly registered with the county and displays the required decal. E-bikes without a valid decal will not be allowed on school property and must be picked up by a parent, if confiscated.

Mahalo for your cooperation as we help ensure the safety of all of our students.

Supporting our students and families during the federal shutdown
As the federal government shutdown continues, we know that many in our school communities may be feeling its impact. Our priority is to ensure students and families have the support they need during this time.

We’ve issued guidance to schools outlining key resources available. Free school meals will continue for the approximately 39,000 students whose families receive SNAP benefits. Still, we recognize that some students may be facing reduced food access at home. We're encouraging families whose income has been affected to apply for the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program at https://go.hidoe.us/FRPM.

Other available supports include:

• The Hawai‘i Relief Program, offering temporary help with housing and utility costs;
• Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1 resource line, which connects families with essential services statewide;
• And school-based food pantries and community food distribution programs operating across many of our campuses. Check with your child’s school.

We’re committed to making sure our students’ basic needs are met and that families have access to the help they need during this period of uncertainty.

Enchanted Lake Elementary: 🌿 Aloha ʻĀina in Action! 🤙 Our students traded the classroom for the loʻi (taro patch) at Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi in Kāneʻohe! We dove deep into ʻāina education—learning the powerful story of Hāloa and the deep connection between our people and the land.

Maui Waena Intermediate: A HUGE MAHALO goes out to our Vice Principal Courtnee for volunteering to be taped to the wall. Students were able to purchase pieces of tape to tape Courtnee to the wall. All proceeds went to the Student Government. What a great sport!

Campbell High School: Congratulations to our very own freshman Jacob Badua on bowling a PERFECT 300 game, which is believed to be the first in OIA history in at least 25 years! We couldn't be prouder of Jacob and the entire @jchsbowlingteam2025 as they competed in the recent OIA Championships and celebrated their Senior Night. #SaberNation

“My friends and me under the sea” at Kainalu Elementary School is the latest artwork featured in Mural Mo‘olelo, a monthly series highlighting meaningful murals on our school campuses. The colorful mosaic mural, made of paint and ceramic tiles, by the kindergarten class from school year 2008-09, showcases handmade sea creatures with unique characters and personalities.

Honk! Honk! Kalihi Elementary School principal John Hamilton, school counselor Derric Braziel and fifth-grade JPO Kojak Jack stop by HI Now Daily to talk about why attendance matters and how their Walking School Bus initiative helps students get to school safely and on-time.

Students from Alvah A. Scott Elementary School demonstrate to viewers how to create customized keychains and magnets using special shrink art paper supplies in a recent episode of HIKI NŌ PBS Hawai‘i.

Tessa Belardo

Title: Community Homeless Concerns Liaison
Job site: Kaua‘i District Office
Years in the HIDOE: 6
Years in the position: 6

Q: What are your primary duties?
A: My role focuses on ensuring that students experiencing homelessness are identified, supported, and given the same educational opportunities as their housed peers. This includes coordinating with schools and community agencies to ensure McKinney-Vento students are immediately enrolled, have access to early childhood programs, and receive free school meals and transportation to/from their school of origin, ensuring educational stability. I also connect families with vital services such as health care, food, housing and other appropriate resources. Collaboration with administrators, school staff and community partners is a key part of my daily work to remove barriers and support student success. 

Q: How does your job support students?
A: I support students by helping overcome challenges that might prevent regular attendance and success in school. I work to ensure that students experiencing homelessness can focus on learning, feel supported, and have the resources they need to thrive academically and personally.

Q: Favorite part about the job?
A: Seeing students succeed and hearing stories of families moving into permanent housing is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that our support played even a small part in helping them reach stability and success makes this work meaningful every day.