The creation of a Hawaiian language immersion program comes seven years after a Lanai mother filed a lawsuit against the DOE.

A scramble to establish a Hawaiian language immersion distance program this year for families concerned about Covid-19 only began after parents complained.

The Hawaii Department of Education revised its attendance policy but didn’t say whether kids kept home because their parents fear Covid exposure would also be excused.

The partnership between DOE and Hele-On is in response to a statewide school bus driver shortage that’s led to lack of space on the bus.

Implementation requires swift coordination by schools and complex areas, and some just don’t have the staff to administer tests and send them to labs.

The decision came as the delta variant spread rapidly in communities served by the federally funded preschool program.

Some members wanted more specificity and strategic planning from DOE officials on how to help students catch up.

The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, according to a release from U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, who chairs the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Lyla Berg, who owns a leadership consulting company, will serve at least through June.