KEAʻAU, Hawaiʻi Island – The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced today the restoration of one previously suspended school bus route serving Keaʻau Middle School, set to begin Monday, March 10, 2025. This reinstatement will provide crucial transportation for approximately 11 student bus riders in the Kaʻu-Keʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area.

The restored route, designated SR21A, will be serviced by bus service provider Ground Transport, Inc. Parents and guardians of the affected students are being notified directly about the restored route and any necessary modifications to existing schedules.

This restoration brings the total number of reinstated bus routes statewide to 119. The HIDOE continues to work diligently to restore the remaining 19 suspended routes.

Ground Transport is actively addressing the driver shortage that led to the previous suspensions. They are leveraging Governor Dr. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation, which allows drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a “P” endorsement (permitting them to transport passengers) to operate school buses temporarily. This measure helps expedite the hiring process by allowing qualified drivers to fill immediate needs, even without the “S” endorsement specifically required for school bus drivers.

In addition to utilizing the emergency proclamation, Ground Transport is exploring partnerships with other tour bus operators to supplement their existing capacity and further expand their workforce.

The HIDOE has pledged to provide further updates as additional bus routes are restored, assuring parents and students that they are prioritizing a stable and reliable transportation system for all.