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| The state Department of Education and Hawai'i County encourage those with CDL licenses to become school bus drivers to help return public school bus service to Kaʻū through Volcano into Puna and Hilo. The pay starts at $32 an hour. Apply at https://www.groundtransportinc.com/how-to-apply.html. |
THE SCHOOL BUS EMERGENCY that would leave no school bus service for all of Kaʻū, Volcano, Puna and Hilo when school starts next week got a quick response from the County after it was announced on Friday. The first day of school for grades six, seven and nine is next Monday. The first day for all students is Tuesday.
County of Hawai'i issued a statement saying it will collaborate with representatives from state Department of Education and County Mass Transit Agency to mitigate effects of the shortage of bus drivers that led to the Department of Education temporarily stopping school bus service in the area.
The County will help by identifying Hele On bus public transportation routes that will temporarily accommodate students, as well as making an urgent appeal for Commercial Driver’s License holders to fill the critical role of driving school buses.
Additional stops may be added to existing Hele-On routes to ensure safe and reliable transit to and from public schools.
“Our keiki deserve consistent and dependable transportation to and from school,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to finding swift solutions while we continue to work on long-term strategies. We are calling on our community, especially those with CDL licenses, to step forward and help ensure that no child is left without a ride to school.”In the short term, public transportation routes may be adjusted to prioritize student access. The Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit Agency has designated specific routes where students can utilize the Hele-On Bus system at no cost during school commute hours. The county is also collaborating with the state to expedite the hiring process for new drivers for CDL holders who are willing to join this effort.
Special education students will still receive transportation in smaller vehicles.![]()
Students who live beyond walking distance of Nāʻālehu Elementary and Pāhala High & Elementary can take the free Hele On Bus public transportation or rely on family and friends for rides to school.
Randy Moore, the DOE's Deputy Superintendent of Operations, said, “Working with our contractors to restore the bus routes is critical to support our students’ attendance at school and their learning.”
Parents and guardians who drive students to school can be reimbursed for mileage. Visit https://bit.ly/HIDOE-EXPRESS.
“We recognize the challenge and hardship this creates for parents and schools. Getting all of our students to school each day is a very high priority, and we are working to restore service as soon as Randy Moore, the DOE's Deputy Superintendent of Operations, said, “Working with our contractors to restore the bus routes is critical to support our students’ attendance at school and their learning.”
Parents and guardians who drive students to school can be reimbursed for mileage. Visit https://bit.ly/HIDOE-EXPRESS.
The state and its contractors are concurrently exploring long-term solutions, including subsidizing CDL training programs for residents interested in becoming school bus drivers and enhancing recruitment efforts locally.
Individuals with a current CDL license who are interested in becoming school bus drivers are encouraged to contact the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education for more information on how to apply. Ground Transport, Inc. is offering competitive compensation and benefits to attract qualified candidates. The statement said that Ground Transport Inc. is offering competitive compensation and benefits to attract qualified candidates.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
GROUND TRANSPORT, INC IS OFFERING $32 AN HOUR, starting pay for school bus drivers on school routes in Kaʻū and beyond. There is a $3,000 signing bonus and a guarantee of 22.5 hours a week. Qualified employees--whether employed full-time or part-time-- receive a full benefit package with medical, drug, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K and profit sharing.
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| 5,500 in the mail and 2,000 on the streets |
Applicants must be at least 21 years old with a valid CDL A or B license with P & S endorsements. The position is a split schedule to accommodate a.m. and p.m.school runs, Monday through Friday. Drivers may also be scheduled for excursions in between the school runs, evenings and weekends.
Applicants are required to pass a pre-employment drug screen and DOT Physical, paid by Ground Transportation, Inc. Applicants must also submit a Traffic Abstract and Driver History Record and Negative TB Clearance.
Openings are also available for van drivers for special education students. Drivers receive a $1,500 hiring incentive and $23 an hour with regular drivers license and $25 and hour with CDL. Openings are also available for van aides who receive a $1000 hiring incentive and $20 an hour. Both positions include guaranteed hours and benefits.
To apply, see https://www.groundtransportinc.com/how-to-apply.html.
Applicants are required to pass a pre-employment drug screen and DOT Physical, paid by Ground Transportation, Inc. Applicants must also submit a Traffic Abstract and Driver History Record and Negative TB Clearance.
Openings are also available for van drivers for special education students. Drivers receive a $1,500 hiring incentive and $23 an hour with regular drivers license and $25 and hour with CDL. Openings are also available for van aides who receive a $1000 hiring incentive and $20 an hour. Both positions include guaranteed hours and benefits.
To apply, see https://www.groundtransportinc.com/how-to-apply.html.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
COFFEE TALK AT KAHUKU unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park this month on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon is about two of the largest volcanic events at Kīlauea since the Polynesian voyagersʻ arrival![]()
The first is the eruption of a giant lava flow in Puna in the 15th century and the ensuing formation of the summit caldera about 1500 CE. There are oli (chants) that metaphorically describe these eruptions and that have only recently been appreciated by geologists who overlooked their value in passing down the volcanic history.
Growing up near Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens, USGS geologist Don Swanson says he was almost fated to become a volcanologist. His passion for poetry as well as science led him to compare the Pele-Hiʻiaka oli and the volcanic history of Kīlauea. His Coffee Talk presentation will detail the correlation between the chants and the modern scientific understanding of these volcanic events.
On Sunday, Sept 1, from 9-1, the community is invited to participate in Community Day at two pre-contact agricultural field system excavation sites here at Kahuku. Janae Garcia of the park's Cultural Resource Management team will lead the hike, which is rated moderate to difficult. There are
25 places allotted and reservations are required. Email reservation requests to They will be filled in the order received.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.
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| The Reunion features the screening of a PBS film Ka'u Sugar, A Town Remembers on the history of the sugar plantation and the closing of the mill in 1996. It will also feature a film on history of the local coffee industry. |
