Today was hot dog in the blanket w/ Tater Tots . Had to make 520 servings today for lunch . read more

Would not recommend after kindergarten. Child attended this school through 3rd grade a few years ago but removed as teachers were not the best. Report cards were often cut and pasted for each student and barely any attempt for teachers to communicate how student was doing individually. The other staff are great but the principal can be very rude. Would not recommend to anyone despite being a favorable school. Not sure why it's ranked as high as it is. read more

As a kid who grew up in Chinatown and attended Princess Kaiulani Elementary School, this was the school many people RAVED about. I was young and didn't think much about it but eventually had a smack on the head when I attended Kawananakoa Intermediate School where I had classes with kids who came from Ma'ema'e. These students excelled and definitely stood out in the class. They were the leaders in the pack and I was in the back only to eat their dust. Math, science, English, social studies and Japanese - - they kicked my butt!!! Some of my cousins attended here, including my niece and nephew, and I was shocked on the school's curriculum. Compared with what I had, this school excels in academics and streamlines the students to rise to the top. Because this school is in my district I support them, just like the others in my neighborhood. I have actively helped with their school fundraisers and donated my time volunteering. I understand this school is very difficult to attend if you do not live in this district. Many parents work in downtown and try to get their kids to attend here via Geographic Exception but I hear it's not an easy task. They have their annual Family Night which I attended tonight. On the school grounds they have many games, rides, food booths, bake shop, country store, silent auction, face painting, school logo shop and more! I have volunteered at the Family Night many years when my niece and nephew attended here but now that they have both graduated, I now come here to enjoy. I came to the Family Night 2x today - - once in the early afternoon to attack their bake sale and the second time after 7pm to look for bargains. Tonight I walked away with 4 plants and 4 Fuji apples for less than $15. It was also very cool to bump into some old classmates (they are Ma'ema'e alumni but we met at Kawananakoa) here tonight. read more

I was able to contact my grandson's teacher right away when I needed to confirm homework info after a last minute need to pick him from school. Both office staff person and his 1st grade teacher were kind and helpful...So appreciative! read more

Ma'ema'e school...the school that we called our own. It was our own playground even during the summer months.. A lot of my friends and family still live in the LIliha, Nuuanu, and Alewa Heights area, so I do past the school quite a bit. And each time we drive by the school, I turn into that Dad, Uncle, or gramps that has a different story about the crazy things we did in school. I went to school when Mr. Matsunami was the principal. If you don't know then you better ask somebody LOL. Because we were so kolohe, a lot of the rules now were implemented because of us...man those were the days. We got the rulers, spankings, and pinching...we weren't beat-they just had to get our attention. All I can say is i'm glad that I got swat here and there for getting out of hand...I can truly say that it made me a little more respectful for teachers and it also made my reflexes much faster. Our school had a strong PTA and parents were always around school and that was in the late 70's to 80's. We had awesome events...Family Night was the best. Malasada's, teri beef sticks, farmers market, baked goods...I miss those times. I'm sure the parents are more involved now then ever because god forbid their kid on district exception does bad in school and jeopardize his chances of getting into Ma'ema'e again. I've heard its a tough school to get a DE into and its a public school. The best thing that ever happened to me was getting hounded by my counselor...Mr Takatsuki. I think he became principal at point. I was naughty to the point that he would talk to my Grandma everyday. Then one day he told me about detention homes and jails....that was enough for me to realize that I did not want to end up there and disappoint my Grandparents. Takatsuki made that very clear to me and I am forever thankful that he did. Some people say teachers shape the future of tomorrow...but lets not forget about the counselors who also can make a difference. Nothing but love for Ma'ema'e school and Mr. Takatsuki Shaka brah read more

Maemae Elementary School - Ma'ema'e School our old stomping grounds. - Elementary Schools Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My son has been attending maemae since kindergarten and I couldn't be happier!! The teachers go out of their way to make sure the kids are getting the best public school education possible. The campus is clean and well maintained. The PTSA is unbelievable!! From family movie nights, to fundraisers, and the children's most recent production of Willy Wonka the PTSA really gives it their all. My son has another 2 yrs ( k to 5) and we will really miss this place! read more

I went to Ma'e Ma'e from 3rd to 6th grade a long, long, long time ago. Back then there was a huge submarine shaped gymnasium in the field behind the temple but that has been removed some time ago. Family Fun Night (In May, annually) included such games as fishing and you could buy a piece of sugar cane to gnaw one for $0.25. My daughter now attends Ma'e Ma'e and Family Fun Night is a much bigger deal. This year there were rides, giant bouncy castle things, and a climbing wall. As far as how the school is now, my daughter is only in Kindergarden so I will update my review as time goes on but so far the teachers are all caring and helpful. read more

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I attended Ma'ema'e elementary all the way through 4th grade. I just remember every year, Principal Morris Kimoto would tell us how we were the best elementary school ever. Ma'ema'e had a kick-ass afterschool program called A+ (DUH!), and it was a blast - playing kickball, dodgeball all afternoon w/out our shoes on! My second grade teacher, Ms. Sue Umeda, was the bestest ever - not sure if she's still there.. but I loved her, and we also had a class pet - a white bunny. Back in the day, we had 45 cent lunches, and double milk was an extra 25 cents... not to mention I'd always win in the milk drinking competition! Oh, the memories!! "Green and yellow... proudly wave" read more

I love Maemae Elementary, it was like family to me. I went from kinder to 5th grade. Those 6 years were full of fun activities and field trips . The teachers and counselors would always support me and guide me to make the right decisions and to help others in time of need. They made sure that school life wouldn't but to much stress on the k a and treated them with lots of respect but also putting a firm hand down when it comes to treating others right. Their academics aren't stressful but made easy so that kids can learn and remember it easily. read more

While I understand that the A+ After School Program is not a D.O.E. activity and not part of the school curriculum, absolutely NO MENTION is made about how to go about signing up for the program. When I asked while registering my child (for Kindergarten), the ladies in the office told me that they would cover that during Parent Orientation. During the Parent Orientation Day for new, incoming Kindergarten students, no mention was made about how to go about signing up. When I asked about it again at the office (while prepaying for my child's school lunches) I was told that we need to contact the Nuuanu YMCA "because it's not a part of the D.O.E.". Okay, I get it. It's not a part of the D.O.E.. But since it's at the school, couldn't someone at least provide a little bit more information on how to register for it? I called the Nuuanu YMCA and left a message with the Youth Department. (No choice, because nobody answers the phone there either!) If I'm on my own for that, then so be it. Just don't ask me to donate time or money for anything other than for my own child's needs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Update: Okay, for those of you who need to know.......You can go to the school office to pick up the forms. Fill them out and take them to the Nuuanu YMCA, Youth Department. The staff at the Nuuanu YMCA will get you all set up over there. It's $100.-a-month for after school care. If you need the "before school" care, it's $60.-a-month. Me, I need both! So $160.00-a-month and I can drop my kid off at the cafeteria in the morning, she can eat breakfast in school, and then pick her up in the afternoon. For working parents who need to sign-up for the A+ program, don't expect too much help from the staff inside the office. Like Tim C.'s review below, those ladies in the office aren't much help. I mean, would it kill you to just tell people to fill out the forms and go down to the Nuuanu YMCA to sign up your kid for A+? The only reason I knew to go down to Nuuanu YMCA is because my friends who have kids at the school told me to go. Like I said, don't expect me to donate any time or money if it doesn't directly benefit my kid. read more

Think twice before trying to get a GE here! Mae Mae school may once have been a great school. It seems to have a "good" reputation. I would not recommend it now. It may not be the best fit for your child. It may be a difficult school for your child if your child is different in any way (if they stand out racially, learn at a different speed, or are very smart, or are less smart than the average. Even being a boy could be a problem.) There are bullying problems. The teachers may be very old-school. I do not recommend Ms. Umeda at all as she has a reputation as a "yeller" and seems unable to control the class. She seems unwilling to expend the effort to teach anyone who is slightly different than average. The school does not offer much help at all for students who are struggling. This may be an attempt to get these students to leave in order to keep test scores high. We left and our son improved tremendously at a better school that has a much more supportive atmosphere and with better teachers. read more

2 of our daughters went there from k-5th grade. Multiple times our kids were bullied and it was never brought to our attention till months after when either a classmate told us or special Ed. The school swept it under the rug until we complained and then we got the usual "we will look into it", with no follow through. This year we tried to enroll our son, the older Japanese lady that works in the office was there as usual giving attitude as usual. ( she only does that to younger ppl never to older ppl) I asked for a registration and got a "we don't just give that to anybody" and "I'm assuming you don't own a house so you need a notarized letter from the home owners". Through the years with the girls there I noticed a lot of the teachers leaving or retiring because of how the school is run. And what I found crazy was the teachers wish lists which were iPads, Mac book pros, and other high priced electronics other than the usual paper towels, soap, markers. Horrible school, just went down hill over the past years and seems to have gotten worse since. Plus that lady still in the office giving attitude and remarks like usual. This is not the Maemae of before but a unchecked institution. Forget this school, plus Lanakila has better staff, rating, and official results that put them above Maemae. But the only good news I have for the school is the Special Ed teacher, she's one of the best I've ever seen. You have been warned! read more