The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in English language arts. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Kauluwela Elementary School
Kauluwela Elementary School sits on Aala Street in Honolulu, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school within the Hawaii Department of Education, the statewide district that governs all of Hawaii's public schools. The campus sits in Honolulu's urban core, where high-rise development, government offices, and commercial activity define the surrounding streets.
The student body is modest in size for an elementary school covering its grade range. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic conditions in the surrounding neighborhood. The enrollment is predominantly Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, with Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial students also represented. White and Black students make up a very small portion of the population. We looked for data on English learners and special-education enrollment but found those figures were not reported, so we left them out rather than guess.
On state assessments, Kauluwela's results show room for growth. In math, proficiency rises from third grade through fifth grade, with the youngest tested grade scoring lowest and the oldest scoring higher. English language arts follows a similar arc, with third-grade proficiency below that of fourth and fifth grades. Science, assessed only in fifth grade, came in below the school's own math and ELA figures for that grade. Participation was full across every tested grade and subject, which speaks to consistent engagement with the state testing process. The data covers only the most recent school year, so we cannot speak to whether these results represent an upward or downward trend. A parent considering this school may want to ask how the school supports students below proficiency and what interventions are in place, particularly in the earlier grades where results are softer.
Because Kauluwela serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate, no advanced coursework data, and no career-pathway or dual-credit information to report. Those metrics apply to secondary schools and do not apply here. We also found no program-specific information such as arts offerings, extracurriculars, or specialized instructional models in the data provided. Title I status was not reported, and discipline, staffing, and attendance data were absent as well.
Honolulu itself is Hawaii's capital and largest city, a Pacific hub for government, tourism, military defense, and finance. The school's location places it near downtown, where the Capitol District, Honolulu Hale, and state government buildings sit among commercial towers and older neighborhood streets. Publicly reported sources describe a city dealing with an aging and declining population as residents leave for the U.S. mainland, alongside mounting climate pressures including sea level rise and water shortages. The Skyline rail system continues to develop as a major infrastructure project. Housing affordability is a persistent concern across the island, and the area around the school reflects that pressure. Typical home values in this zip code sit below the statewide benchmark but far above national levels. Renting costs less per month than carrying a mortgage at current rates, though rents still consume a large share of household income. For families already settled in Honolulu's urban core, that rental-versus-ownership gap may shape decisions about where to live relative to the school.
We looked for recent district-level changes from the Hawaii Department of Education that might affect families, such as curriculum shifts, policy updates, or facility investments, but found little of lasting impact reported. The district brief returned general organizational information without specific parent-relevant developments.
What the picture shows is a small urban elementary school serving a predominantly Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander student population in a high-need neighborhood, with assessment results that trail state expectations but show some improvement across grade levels, situated in a city where housing costs and demographic shifts are reshaping the community. Families for whom proximity to downtown Honolulu matters, and who value a school grounded in the local community, may find it worth a closer conversation with school leadership about academic support and enrichment offerings before deciding.
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