Local schools in Hawaii are cracking down on phone use in classrooms, some using phone boxes. /THE WILDCAT

Local schools in Hawaii are cracking down on phone use in classrooms. With the increasing distraction of smartphones in educational settings, many schools are now implementing strict bans on phone use during class hours. The debate centers on whether this rule will effectively improve student focus and academic performance, or if it will simply lead students to be sneakier with their phones.

Many Konawaena students have neutral opinions on the phone rule. However, some students believe that the rule is the worst thing the school has ever done, and some students believe that it is the best thing that has happened because it helps them focus on schoolwork. After class is over, they enjoy using their phone to check in with friends.

Karlie Kahalioumi, a senior at Konawaena High School, says she believes that banning phones in classrooms can be both beneficial and detrimental. "I think the phone ban in classrooms helped with my learning a little bit compared to freshman year, where we had easy access to our phones. Now, if I try to use my phone in class to help me with a simple assignment, I know it would lead to me getting in trouble!” Starting from the 2023-2024 academic year, Konawaena High School administrators began strictly enforcing their long-standing phone ban in classrooms. Previously, not all teachers applied the rule, so it wasn’t effective. The year 2024-2025 is when the school decided to add the phone storage boxes to help reduce phone usage in classrooms.

 Naleo Kanuha, a freshman at Konawaena High School, said, “Honestly, I think the phone ban rule helps us concentrate more in our classes because we don't have to worry about constantly getting sidetracked by our phones. In my opinion, I don’t think the rule is a good or bad thing; I just think the school should be more lenient with the rule.” 

 Zion Casuga, a senior at Konawaena High School, said, "As a student at Konawaena High, I think the phone rule is helpful and can help keep students focused. The phone rule didn’t significantly impact my performance, but it did help me stay less distracted. Overall, I think the phone ban in classrooms is a good idea, but it just depends on the situation.” 

School staff said now that the phone rule has been set, they noticed students are spending less time outside of classrooms on bathroom breaks. As the school year progresses, it will be important to continue implementing the policy’s impact to best serve the needs of the student body and teachers, they added.