New vape detectors have been added to Kalani High School bathrooms by the Kalani administration during summer break. Due to an apparent increase in youth vaping in many schools, Kalani has decided to find a solution that both respects students’ privacy while trying to encourage them to make better choices.
Youth vaping epidemic is a spreading issue and has been apparent at Kalani for a while now, according to the vice principals.
Last year Vice Principal Patrick Nishi took action and implemented these new methods to stop kids from using nicotine in school.
“Mr. Nishi was the main operator for this and got all the funding and everything,” Vice Principal Colin Awa states. “When he joined a year and a half ago, he assessed the situation, saw how bad it was, and wanted to do something about it.”
Drug use at school has been brought up by concerned parents and students. The vape detectors have been a decision in the making for a while, as the use of nicotine at Kaalni has become apparent in the past several years, according to the vice principals.
Now that detectors are finally installed, they seem to have an effect on how much students use nicotine and marijuana in school restrooms.
“It was already paid for and beginning to be installed when I came on board at the end of last year,” Mr. Awa says. “In the very short time school started till now I think the word has slowly gotten out and we don’t smell it anymore.”
Kalani partnered with Blue Shield Security Oahu and spent approximately $7,000 per vape detector, while also paying a monthly fee to clean and service the devices. Although expensive, they have been working so far and will soon be expanded to all bathrooms on campus.
The vice principals receive a text message when the detectors pick up the smell of vape or marijuana. Then, the vice principals alarm security. Security apprehends everyone in the restroom and brings them to the office. Because they were in the restroom when the alarm went off, admin has reasonable suspicion and students can be searched for contraband, Mr. Nishi explains.
Mr. Nishi hopes that the new vape detectors will make students shy away from smoking in the bathrooms and in school in general.
