A brawl closes school in Hawaii as racial tension between students of Micronesian decent and other racial groups reaches a tipping point. The brawl ended up with a total of 8 students being arrested, 7 boys, and 1 girl.

A total of roughly 20-30 students were involved in the fighting and was the culmination of a week of smaller fights and racial taunting according to Hawaii School officials. The students were arrested, charged with disorderly conduct and released.

Nobody was seriously hurt in a Thursday fight that led to a campus lock down at the school of 1,600 students, Hawaii County police said

The brawl closes school Friday on Hawaii’s Big Island at Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona. The school’s principal, Wilfred Murakami, said the fights resulted from ongoing “bullying through racial and cultural taunts.”

Hawaii Department of Education spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz noted no one was seriously hurt but said there had been concerns about “social issues” at the school.

Brawl closes school but plans to reopen Monday

Kealakehe High School plans to open for normal hours and schedule on Monday, Murakami said.

West Hawaii Today says: For more information and updates, Murakami suggested visiting the school’s website, khswaveriders.org. Concerned parents may contact Murakami at the school at 327-4300 or via cellphone at 960-0459; Scott Tamura, vice principal, at 960-8766; or Tammy Furrer, vice principal, at 960-8036.

Hawaii Brawl Closes School: Kealakehe High School Shutdown Because of Racial Tension.