The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 29% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kalihi Waena Elementary School
Kalihi Waena Elementary School sits on Gulick Avenue in Honolulu, serving students from prekindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Hawaii Department of Education, the single statewide public school district covering all of Hawaii's islands. The school draws from a Kalihi-area neighborhood within one of the most densely developed and culturally varied cities in the Pacific. Publicly reported accounts describe Honolulu's urban core as a mix of high-rise density, a tourism economy centered on Waikīkī, and a concentration of government and military employment. The school itself sits away from the tourist corridors, in a working residential stretch of the city.
The student body is modest in size for an elementary school, with a fairly even distribution across the grade levels. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which places the school among those serving a higher-need population. The racial and ethnic composition reflects the broader character of Honolulu: students identifying as Asian and as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander make up the large majority of enrollment, with a smaller group identifying as two or more races. Very few students identify as white, black, or Hispanic. Data on English learner status and special education enrollment was not available, so those portions of the school's profile remain unclear. Title I status was also not reported in the data we received.
On state assessments, Kalihi Waena's results tell a mixed story. English language arts is the relative bright spot, with the strongest grade level showing a fair share of students reaching proficiency and others not far behind. Math results are more modest, with roughly a quarter to a third of students demonstrating proficiency across the tested grades. Science, assessed only in fifth grade, lands in a similar range. Participation was full across every tested grade and subject, which means these results reflect the entire eligible student body rather than a subset. A sizable portion of students are not yet meeting state proficiency benchmarks, particularly in math. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports students working below grade level and what intervention or tutoring structures are in place.
The assessment data covers only the most recent school year, so there is no trend to describe. The school's performance could represent an improvement or a decline from prior years, but the data we have does not say. Average scale scores were also missing from the reported results. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report.
Honolulu's housing market is among the most expensive in the country, and the area around the school reflects that reality. Typical home values in the school's zip code run well above both state and national benchmarks, and monthly mortgage costs far exceed typical rents, making ownership a steep barrier for many families. Rent itself consumes a large share of household income. The broader city has been contending with population decline and an aging demographic, with residents leaving for the mainland, and housing affordability remains a persistent concern publicly cited in city planning and reporting. For families considering the area, the cost of living is a defining factor.
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 specific relevance, so we left that section out rather than guess. The district operates as a single statewide system, which means decisions about staffing standards, curriculum frameworks, and resource allocation are made at the state level rather than by a local school board.
Kalihi Waena is a neighborhood elementary school serving a diverse, higher-need student population in an expensive urban setting. Its academic results show some strength in literacy but indicate that many students are still working toward proficiency in math and science. Families drawn to Honolulu's cultural richness and Pacific setting will find here a school that reflects the community around it, alongside the economic pressures that come with living in one of the costliest housing markets in the nation.
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