Word about possible weapons on campus at Leilehua High School prompted school officials to have police officers on campus yesterday. Students were allowed to leave school if they chose.

The talk stemmed from a fight involving several students in the cafeteria Thursday, said state Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen.

"There were rumors circulating that even mentioned the possibility of weapons on campus," Knudsen said. "There is absolutely nothing to substantiate those rumors, yet it was definitely going around to the point that the school did respect the concerns of the students and said if they contacted their parents and there was parental concurrence, they would be allowed to leave school today and Monday."

"Quite a few students" chose to leave yesterday, Knudsen said.

Knudsen said police were on campus yesterday and will be present Monday primarily to reassure students and also as a precautionary measure. No weapons were found on campus, he said.

In a letter on Leilehua's Web site, Principal Aloha Coleman said there were no serious injuries from Thursday's incident and that all students directly involved have been "excluded from the school until further notice."

"As with any incident that involves a number of students, rumors and misinformation compound the complexity of efforts to bring students together and restore calm to the campus," she said, adding that the school has increased campus supervision personnel.

"We realize that this incident has had a chilling effect on our students, but we are confident that our campus is safe," she said. "We encourage all students to return to school on Monday. Students who still have concerns are advised to see a counselor or administrator."

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.