KEAUKAHA, Hawaii – The uncertain future of a Hawaiian language immersion school in Keaukaha was discussed during a Keaukaha Community Association meeting on Wednesday night.

Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo, the Hawaiian language immersion public charter school, has until June 3rd to leave Keaukaha Elementary School.

Ka ʻUmeke students, grades K-2, are using the facilities at Keaukaha Elementary as their school searches for a permanent facility. However, Keaukaha Elementary needs the space for its own, growing students population.

Ka ʻUmeke officials have appealed to the Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area Superintendent, Brad Bennett, to reverse the Keaukaha principal’s decision.

At Wednesday’s meeting in the Keaukaha School cafeteria, Uncle Patrick Kahawaiola’a moderated the back and forth between the two schools as the situation threatens to divide the community.