Ive attened both hba and public schools throughout my life and from my personal experience hba is…read morejust a public school with a punahou/iolani price tag. There is clearly no selection process when admitting students as seen throughout their behavior's and actions. Teachers bombard you with homework everyday that doesnt help learning especially when it takes away from your sleep. Finally Christianity is pushed in your face constantly when its clear over 75% of the student base dont have any of the basic "morals" supposedly a Christian would follow. I could go on and on about favoritism towards certain students from the staff and administration, neglect towards issues between students, and more the list goes on and on. There is a lot that needs to be fixed at Hawaii Baptist Academy and its showing with the enrollment rates being at a all time low.

I have two kids in the elementary school, so I have seen the JK-5 grades. I can't say enough about…read morethe school. They both love their teachers and I have been amazed at the types of projects and activities the teachers create. I have a master's in education, and I see cutting edge best practices frequently. At the same time, I see HBA's commitment to the whole child--building character and social-emotional skills. Several of my daughters' classmates have parents who went to HBA K-12, and after their own experience, they wouldn't send their kids anywhere else. Now I see why. It has been a game changer for our girls, and it is truly a God-send to our family.

The Christmas spectacular is a fun event for all and the family. Starts at five and they have a…read morelist of things that happen all the way through 9 o'clock. Last year we went to the play and came out just in time for the light show and snow. This year we went way early got to do all the activities. Pictures with Santa, Make s'mores, get cotton candy, gingerbread houses, and watch the Christmas Carol. Special note, if you just wanna do the activities go early there wasn't any line but at 7 o'clock that's when everybody was piling in and the lines were around the corner. If you wanna watch the movie, make sure you bring a blanket pillows and things like that it is on the grass. This event is free, and so special. Everyone's super friendly there is an MC and live music. The Christmas play is adorable and is a messy that is not free. You have to buy tickets for that. this event is dog friendly

Safe and positive learning environment for ages 3-18, excellent opportunities in STEM especially…read morerobotics (science, tech, engineering, and math), tons of notable athletics programs, music/art/PE/tech/research classes plus Japanese/Spanish starting In elementary, beautiful facilities especially the new Innovation Center, and dedicated to providing the best in PreK3-12 girls' education!

The staff and faculty are very supportive and professional, they have lots of amazing activities…read morefor the students to enjoy and engage with others. They have lots to offer in learning academics and non academic activities too.

Teachers are caring and well trained to guide your children. Close knit school with with your child…read moremaking life long friends. Tuition is affordable also.

Our family has had a very positive experience at this private Catholic school. My child is…read morecurrently in middle school and is genuinely excited to continue on to the high school next year, which speaks volumes about how supported and comfortable he feels in this community. One of the school's greatest strengths is its size. The student-to-teacher ratio feels just right--small enough for individualized attention, but large enough to offer a well-rounded experience. I've seen my child both supported when he needs help and challenged to grow academically, which is exactly what we hoped for. Equally important has been the social environment. He has built a strong, close-knit group of friends who I truly believe will remain an important part of his life well beyond school. That sense of belonging and community was something we deeply valued when choosing a school, and it's a big reason he never felt the need to look elsewhere. Like any school, it's not perfect. At times, administrative decisions can take longer than expected. However, I've come to see this as a reflection of the school's thoughtful and compassionate approach--they take the time to carefully consider situations and prioritize what's best for their students rather than rushing to judgment. Overall, we're grateful to be part of a school community that nurtures both academic growth and meaningful relationships. It has been a great fit for our child, and we look forward to the years ahead.

Tonight they had their Fall Festival. Nadine invited me to go with her. It was fun. They were doing…read morea movie night and played the Super Mario Bros. movie. That must have been the theme as some of the students had on the costumes. They had a lot of food vendors. Chick-Fil-A was there selling their chicken sandwiches. They were the main sponsor. Other booths were selling popcorn, baked goods, pizza, hot dogs, chicken strip, fries, hamburger curry and lumpia. One booth was doing free airbrushed tattoos. The students must really like this as the line was so long. Another booth was selling Maryknoll merchandise such as T-shirts, hoodies and sunglasses.

Great school and environment. The students and faculty made our family feel very welcomed.read more

Damien Memorial High School is named in honor of the recent canonized saint, Father Damien better…read moreknown as Father Damien of Molokai, SS.CC. or Father Damien de Veuster of Belgium. He was best known for his work in living and working with the people on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. There are many memorials, statues, and places honoring St. Damien de Veuster of Belgium and Molokai. Damien Memorial High School is one of these places honoring this brave priest. This was an all boys high school when I paid a personal visit at the time, I understand Damien Memorial High School has since gone co-ed. Some are happy about it, some are not as it changes the dynamic of the school. About twenty so years ago, I met a member of the alumni who graduated, oh about 35 or more years ago. He went on to perform in opera and musical theatre. I met him when he was in one of the national tours of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. He was portraying the title role, he was filling in for the principal actor who was on holiday. When he came out of the stage door, he was very surprised to see so many people who wanted a piece of him--translation: an autograph and a picture with him. When I saw him, I thought to myself, "Hello!" Oh yes, I developed quite an immediate crush on him. Right there on the spot! He was tall, dark, and oh so very handsome. I was not the only one. I was with a friend who was old enough to be his mother. She was swooning over him. And I am sure the other women in the crowd were too. While he was signing autographs, we were discussing his Anglo/Hawaiian name. He did not look at me during the conversation as he was signing autographs, he was surprised somebody in this crowd knew the meaning of his name. When we did see each other, it was one of those foggy slow motion moments where it was just him and me, everyone and everything else was fog. Out of respect for this man, I am not going to say his name. He is quite private for one and two, I got to meet him again some time after that first meeting. Awkward. It was quite an awkward and embarrassing moment seeing him again. It is never as good as the first time, to paraphrase the 1985 Sade song. C'est la vie, as Robbie Nevill sang in 1986. I had quite the textbook crush on this guy though. I was surprised to learn we kind of grew up in similar circumstances. I graduated from a Catholic all-girls school while he graduated from a Catholic all boys school. I wanted to visit his high school alma mater since I was in the area. Damien Memorial High School reminded me of the schools in the Philippine Islands: cement fences surrounding a cement building with iron metal fences and gates in-between. Sliding gates and doors with regular hinged doors. It was quite airy walking around the premises. What caught my eye was a little blue eggshell chapel in the courtyard. It was quite lovely and quaint. I thought to myself, "Wow! I would love to get married in a chapel like that." Wow, what a strange thought that crossed my mind. I bet many alumni married their brides in the blue eggshell chapel though. I stopped by the library and told them why I was here. I wanted to see this guy's high school yearbook and picture. They did not have the yearbooks in the library. The librarian knew where they were: in the principal's office. So she escorted me to the principal's office. The principal was in the process of packing up his office as he was being transferred to another assignment. And it turned out the principal was once this guy's guidance counselor back in the day. Wow. I got to see the picture as I wanted. And that was that, I thanked him for his time and understanding; the librarian and I left his office so he could carry on and she helped me find my way out. I thanked her her for her time, patience, and understanding with me as well. My one regret was not visiting the blue eggshell chapel to say a prayer for him during my visit at Damien Memorial High School . . . oh well. I would like to believe St. Damien is proud of this particular alumni member of his namesake high school. Fresh Yelp Review #64 for 2013

Our family has had a very positive experience at this private Catholic school. My child is…read morecurrently in middle school and is genuinely excited to continue on to the high school next year, which speaks volumes about how supported and comfortable he feels in this community. One of the school's greatest strengths is its size. The student-to-teacher ratio feels just right--small enough for individualized attention, but large enough to offer a well-rounded experience. I've seen my child both supported when he needs help and challenged to grow academically, which is exactly what we hoped for. Equally important has been the social environment. He has built a strong, close-knit group of friends who I truly believe will remain an important part of his life well beyond school. That sense of belonging and community was something we deeply valued when choosing a school, and it's a big reason he never felt the need to look elsewhere. Like any school, it's not perfect. At times, administrative decisions can take longer than expected. However, I've come to see this as a reflection of the school's thoughtful and compassionate approach--they take the time to carefully consider situations and prioritize what's best for their students rather than rushing to judgment. Overall, we're grateful to be part of a school community that nurtures both academic growth and meaningful relationships. It has been a great fit for our child, and we look forward to the years ahead.

Maryknoll School has extremely unprofessional and cruel teachers who physically endanger students,…read morediscriminate against students and show favoritism towards students who are not in minority groups. They also do not accomodate students with different learning needs or serious struggles with mental health, barely teach their students and expect them to figure things out on their own. This school also fails to teach students Catholic values or how they can become better indivuduals. In fact, students there enjoy sexually harrasing other students, physically harming other students, recording innapropriate videos of other students without permission to publicly post online, and shouting sexual, ableist, racist, and sexist slurs at other students. Teachers and other school staff members do not do anything to prevent any of this. In addition, the school lunches are stale, dry, and unhealthy.

When we got there at 11:00 am, parking lot at Waialae was full by parking attendant let us parking…read moreon the side. The back parking lot was also full. On Saturday, March 2, 2019, Taste of St. Patricks was a fundraiser for the school to help students who cannot afford tuition. Per my sister, parents of children are required to volunteer their time and possibly purchase scrips to help at this event. Scrips can be bought a one booth, 1 scrip is $1.00 and 10 scrip on 1 sheet is $10.00. Scrips are used to purchased food at various food booths. Cash can be used at bake sale at cafeteria. Entertainment by various entertainers and performance by school choir and others.

St. Patrick School offers children the opportunity to learn in a small class size with…read moreindividualized attention to the children's learning needs. The Administration is very aware of the many learning challenges of students in the Elementary Age, and has consistently demonstrated attention to training and reinforcing this need to be sensitive to the learning of the whole child ever since Sr. Anne Clare DeCosta, SS.CC. became the Vice-President for Education/Principal. Since this is a Roman Catholic/Sacred Hearts focused school, teaching about Catholicism is at the bedrock of the curriculum. The Catholic Worship Service, or Mass is offered on a regular basis, and the Catholic Religion is taught in the classroom. Yet, for those families who are not Catholic, the Administration is very sensitive to not force the Catholic Theology upon their Non-Catholic students and their families. Instead, the Charism of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (The foundational teachings which underlie St. Patrick School) encourages the intellectual and moral development of children regardless of whether or not that person is Roman Catholic or not. St. Patrick School offers a diverse co-curriculum and sports is an integral part. St. Patrick School also offers the "Taste of St. Patrick" Annual Event which returned this school year after several years of Covid-19 Adherence. This is a fundraising event which brings together the St. Patrick Church & School as well as those who live in the Kaimuki area. This is truly a community centered event with all of the St. Patrick School Clubs participating. No school is perfect since no human is perfect. As such, St. Patrick has its limitations, and financial challenges as do most Parochial/Parish Schools here in the State of Hawaii, and most likely, across the United States of America. Competition amongst the numerous Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) is intense, and there is competition between St. Patrick School, Sacred Hearts Academy, and St. Louis School for those children whose parents want their child to receive an excellent, Roman Catholic centered curriculum. Yet, despite this competition, St. Patrick School has emerged as a very competitive school whose Administration remains solidly committed to providing a well rounded education. As we conclude the current 2023-2024 School Year, parents are preparing their child(ren) for Summer and the upcoming 2024-2025 School Year. For those whose child(ren) are currently enrolled in St. Patrick School, congratulations and best wishes. For those whose child(ren) and not currently enrolled in St. Patrick School, and are looking at various options, I respectfully suggest that you please consider St. Patrick School. Mahalo, Mark Kazuo Bradley

My grandson went here before he moved to the mainland. He had a very good experience. Good caring…read morepeople.

Kawaiaha'o Church school is a wonderful school. They have very caring teachers and staff that…read morecreate a wonderful environment for the keiki. The montessori education helps nurture the child to blossom into an independent, empathetic, and well rounded individual. Our daughter started at 2 and has been attending for 5 years. We are forever grateful for the love and ohana this school has become for our family. Our daughter has blossomed into a very independent, empathetic, and intelligent child under the guidance of the Kawaiaha'o church school.

A private school which uses the traditions of Buddhist teachings in its curriculum. The curriculum…read moreis not as rigorous as what we're used to in California, and the disciplinary methods are a little unconventional but every child is different and this might work for your child(ren). Student/teacher ratio is pretty low which allows more attention towards the students. They have a wonderful program which allows kids to have breakfast with their parents before classes in the morning. Breakfasts are really cheap -- your basic local breakfast stuff: eggs, bacon/spam/Portuguese sausage, rice, cereal etc -- but it allows you to spend time with your kids before you rush off to work. Some of the teachers are inexperienced as they do hire new graduates to join their staff. My only gripe with this place is that they did not challenge the kids enough. My child was there for only half a year but there wasn't much homework and the curriculum was really more towards playing than learning. After we moved back to California, my child had a hard time keeping up at the new school where the curriculum was so much more rigid and intense. Strangely, Hongwanji is a private school and my child is now attending a public school. I had expected more from a private school!

I went to school here many many years ago. So I can't comment on the current curriculum or anything…read morerecent. But what I learned here was social interaction, community, religion, sports, and music. Because of Hongwanji and the YBA, I was a JPO, cub scout, boy scout, basketball player, and volleyball player. I learned how to serve lunch, clean up, and be a part of a team. I learned how to swim and 'jump rope for heart.' I learned how to budget my allowance by buying either the fried noodles or the Star Wars cards. I was a part of the 40K relay team and we were awarded the youngest team. I marched in a competition. I went to Disneyland. I got in to a lot of trouble but it was the teachers who cared about everyone that kept me from being an outright delinquent. Thank you Mr. Date, Mrs. Kimura, Shannon's Mom, and Mrs. Endo. They also stimulated my love of reading. And last but not least, the Hongwanji cookbooks are my most used especially when I'm ono for some comfort food. I learned how to cook because of these Hongwanji cookbook. Back then it really was a village raising each and every child.