By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Hawai’i, to provide relief for disaster damages, losses, and suffering, which shall include providing relief for Department of Education (DOE) school bus service shortages, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people, I, JOSH GREEN, M’D., Governor of the State of Hawaii, hereby determine, designate and proclaim as follows:

WHEREAS, there is currently a shortage of school bus drivers able to provide services to the DOE and certain independent schools. Among bus service contractors statewide, an estimated 1 79 additional drivers are needed to fully staff school bus routes. Over the last school year, 1 75 school bus drivers have vacated their positions, along with an additional 112 during the summer months;

WHEREAS, the shortage has resulted in the DOE and certain independent schools reducing school bus services for qualified students needing transportation to and/or from school, and forced the suspension of service for 1 38 school bus routes on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island serving approximately 3,720 students during the 2024-25 school year;

WHEREAS, on August 2, 2024, I issued the Proclamation Relating to School Bus Services to address the critical shortage of school bus drivers and bus services. On October 1 , 2024, I issued the Second Proclamation Relating to School Bus Services, on November 27, 2024, I issued the Third Proclamation Relating to School Bus Services, and on January 24, 2025, I issued the Fourth Proclamation Relating to School Bus Services. As of March 2025, these proclamations will have resulted in 125 routes having been reinstated statewide, 90% of the total routes suspended at the beginning  of this school year 2024-2025. Of the 3,720 students impacted by the route suspensions, 3,498 students will have had their school bus routes restored as a direct result of the proclamations.

WHEREAS, a continued proclamation is critical to maintain the restored routes and prevent suspensions of additional school bus routes across the State;

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