Moanalua High School

MHS isn't a good school. There is a lot of discrimination. The school is overcrowded. The administration is uninterested. My son didn't have much support when it came to applying to colleges. The college meeting actually spoke about the best way for Asian students to get into college with nothing said for the military kids. The guest speakers were MHS alumni who spent 2 hours complaining about mainlanders. My sons workload was more than doubled but the amount he learned decreased. The school was all about work and really lacked good teaching except in the English Department. The teachers are burned out from the overcrowding and spent way too much time complaining about their pay. I guess its the best public high school in Hawaii but I was completely disappointed and felt my son received a low quality education while he attended.
—Submitted by a parent

Moving to this school was one of the best decisions. I learned so much more then i had in my previous school and one of the main reasons is the music department here.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter success story started in Moanalua Middle school. There is a tradition of involvement of the MoHS high schoolers with the education of the upcoming ones...a form of brotherhood that instills pride and trust. The music program is by far the greatest contributor to the excellence of this HS. Mr. Seta et al are the best role models you can expect as a parent. They have taught music, discipline, perseverance and many other valuable life lessons to my daughter. I am always amazed at the open and friendly atmosphere between students. You don't hear about bullying or ridiculing. Kids are always busy keeping up with the challenging academics or the many activities offered. My daughter has flourished in this great school. Teachers and counselors are completely involved and they involve the parents plenty as well. They don't wait until grades drop too much to send you a message. They know your child and don't hesitate to communicate with you at the smallest early sign of performance drop. I love the Menes and intend to support them in any way possible.
—Submitted by a parent

Ever since i started attending Moanalua, I've found this school to be one of the best not only because of the faculty and students, but what's taught. In our marching band program, our director Mr. Seta teaches not only how to be a great musician but also teaches us life lessons such as our music department motto P.R.I.D.E. which stands for perseverance, respect, integrity, discipline and excellence. As we learn to behave like so, it rubs off onto the student body, improving us as a whole and making Moanalua a better school.
—Submitted by a student

MOHS has been the #1 HS on this island 20+ years. My senior year in 1980: The Economics teacher won National Teacher of the Year, my Oceanography teacher newly introduced the first DOE approved HS ocean science class that year, won the State teacher of the year. MOHS constantly has teaching faculty that is creative and sometimes too far ahead for the DOE's requirements. This school can be really hard for kids to keep up at. Children that are suffering from family problems such as poor self-seteem, turmoil, bad parenting and isolative emotional depression aren't ridiculed or shuffled out of the equation, and military kids have always been a big part of MOHS. Families that lived here 20 years ago continue to breathe life into this once very tiny school with their children now in attendance to insure its integrity as a cornerstone unto itself. My daughter also attends MOHS.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at Moanalua High School and compared to all the other public schools on the island, I can truly say that MoHS is one of the best. Yes, some teachers may not be the best, and there may be a few students who may not be as friendly as other, but hey! What school doesn't have these problems? It's all perspective. But as far as I'm concerned, our school has great facilities and resources available to students. We have a great media and music program, as well as athletics. I don't think the school should be blamed for students not having friends or other aspects they can't control. Moanalua is a very safe campus. If you try visiting other campuses on the island and looking at their statistics of academic achievement and students who go onto highschool, you would see the difference.
—Submitted by a student

Moanalua is an outstanding school consistantly winning awards in academics, music, athletics,etc. While I agree there are racial cliques and local vs. non-local tensions, can you expect anything less in an ethnically diverse environment? My daughter is 'local', of asian and hawaiian ancestry, and has many 'non-local' friends, many of whom are military dependants. She does not discriminate because we have never taught her to do so. However, she acknowledges the presence of racial tension and credits it to ignorance and intolerance on both sides. If you are a 'mainlander' or 'military', tips to assimilating: *Respect the culture and cultural diversity *Understand the history of the islands and be sensitive to the fact that the military/haoles have not always been a welcome presence for Hawaiians (not unlike the Native American Indians). *Do not stop trying to make friends -Ignorance is everywhere...do not become part of the problem. Be part of the solution!
—Submitted by a parent

I came to the island the summer full of high hopes. Our family did the research and choose to move into an area the was in the Moanalua District so that our daughter could attend the high school. She has blended in very well at over 10 different schools in her life. However, the children and some of the faculty have not been very warm and accepting of a non-local child. Academically she is doing very well however, she has not made one local friend this school year. I tell her to keep trying to blend in but the kids are just simply mean to her her. Kind people should not be stereotyped rather local or not...it is very hurtful and it scars deeply. I pray that some of you reading this will not be so defensive and take a hard look that some of the negatives might be true.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great because they teach the student how they would need to function in a adult like society it is a great start to there adult like years.
—Submitted by a parent

This school may be good because it is in Hawaii and I have kids that attend it and they have had racial problems. The teachers there talk to the students as though education is not imprtant. I am military I think if this best High School I am losing my mind, it is far from it. The student behavior here is horrible the best choice when moving to Hawaii is private School!
—Submitted by a parent

A wonderful school full of wonderful people. The most amazing experiences I have had in my life has come from attending this school.
—Submitted by a student

I have two boys that attend MOHS and both are excelling in both academics and sports. The teachers are great and so is the staff.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was in a program for students that are lacking in motivation. It didn't help him prepare for life at all. It just helped the school graduate more kids that shouldn't have graduated. I've met about 15 kids who were in that program. Only one of them has held a full time job since graduating, not one of them went to college.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Moanalua a few years back. It is by far the best public high school in Hawaii. They have by far the most outstanding music department a student could ever ask for. Teachers generally are friendly and willing to help students when needed, of course with the exception of some not so great teachers. However, the curriculum being taught is definetely not up to par with the rest of the nation. I had a hard time adjusting to college academics on the mainland because I was poorly prepared. Ecspecially in foreign language. Overall, Moanalua High School is a great school to build relationships with teachers and students, but if your looking for a high quality education to prepare for college, Moanalua definetely is not the place for you.

I attended Moanalua High School and graduated in 2004. I loved the environment the school provided. My teachers were excellent. They, along with other staff, were always ready and available to help me with anything I needed. I felt safe walking on the campus. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a student

I love this school it is a very good school.my son graduated from this school and i'm proud of it.
—Submitted by a parent

There is no evidence that 'local' children are favored above 'others' (Mainly military dependents). Adjusting to a new environment and culture is tough, and some accept it more readily than others. If your child feels that they can be more socially and culturally accepted in another school, then there is no reason why they should not transfer. However, these claims should not reflect on the quality of the school as an educational institution.

Good school. Your child could do good depending on effort. There are alot of extracurricular activites, electives, and celebrations.
—Submitted by a former student

Moanalua Was voted the best public high school in the state of hawaii. I agree . Moanalua has a great academic program the students are taught by professionals: teachers who have great skill& care for the student's future, 7 The music program is superior! The campus is a fantastic looking one & the students here have alot of pride for their school. I defenitly reccomend this fantastic school.
—Submitted by a parent

Moanalua is a superior school. There is so much for students here and its a school that strives for excellence. Moanalua will prepare you fantastically for life after high school.
—Submitted by a student