Public schools in Hawaii announced their plans for graduation celebrations.
The state Department of Education announced earlier this month that traditional graduation programs would be replaced with “alternative celebrations” because of safety concerns and social distancing guidance amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the DOE, “virtual” and drive-through diploma cover pickup ceremonies are planned May 22 at Ka‘u High and Pahala Elementary School (42 seniors), Keaau High School (233 seniors) and Hilo High School (265 seniors); May 23 at Waiakea High School (336 seniors), Honokaa High and Intermediate School (120 seniors), Kohala High School (58 seniors) and Konawaena High School (187 seniors); and May 24 at Pahoa High and Intermediate School (85 seniors).
Security will be in place.
Ceremonies at Hilo High, Kohala High and Konawaena will be livestreamed, while the virtual ceremony at Waiakea High will be streamed via select media outlets.
Kealakehe High School (229 seniors) will host a virtual commencement ceremony May 23.
Commencement at Connections Public Charter School (26 seniors) was postponed, according to the DOE, while Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School (55 seniors) will conduct a virtual ceremony May 22.
Kua O Ka La New Century Public Charter School (five seniors) will have a virtual ceremony at a date still to be determined, while Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School (12 seniors) will host a virtual commencement May 22.
West Hawaii Explorations Public Charter School (34 seniors) will have virtual and drive-through diploma cover pickup May 22.
The list will continue to be updated on the DOE’s website, hawaiipublicschools.org, as more details become available.
For more information, families should contact their child’s school directly.