Dear Hilo High School Parents and Guardians,
As we begin the new school year, we would like to remind families about our school's emergency procedures related to tsunami events.
Because our school is not located within a designated tsunami evacuation zone, students and staff would not be required to evacuate from campus during a tsunami warning.
If a tsunami watch is issued, we will follow our local emergency management agency instructions and will notify parents about the status of school. Please see below for action steps we would take based on various tsunami scenarios.
If a tsunami warning is issued during normal school hours, drop-off or pick-up time, or during after-school care or events:
- Students who are already on campus will remain in the care of school staff. No evacuation will be necessary.
- Parents and guardians should not come to campus to pick up their child. The school will follow the guidance of local emergency management officials until the "all clear" is issued.
If a tsunami warning is issued before the school day or a school activity begins:
- Families will be notified if the school is closed.
- Please do not bring your child to school.
- Schools will follow the local emergency management agency instructions and wait until the "all clear" has been issued.
For distant tsunami events with sufficient warning time, schools may have enough time to close before the school day begins and coordinate an early school bus pickup for students who receive bus transportation. Schools will keep parents and guardians informed if these circumstances arise.
To help us keep your child safe, please:
- Keep your emergency contact information current throughout the school year.
- Review your family's emergency plans and discuss them with your child.
- Monitor official emergency alerts and school communications during an emergency event.
- Avoid traveling to the school or evacuation site during a tsunami warning unless directed by school or emergency officials. Roads may be congested, and emergency responders need clear access.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.
We encourage all families to prepare their homes for tsunamis and other natural disasters. Additional preparedness information is available from the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency at https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/. You can also find emergency procedures in our school's parent handbook.
Sincerely,
Adrian De Mello
Principal