Aikahi Elementary School

This principal is definitely pointing Aikahi in the right direction. She's not perfect but who is. I'm glad we chose Aikahi for our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

New principal much better. PTA has good leadership. Parents need to be more involved. It's the same parents volunteering every year.
—Submitted by a parent

The new principal is just what the school needed to excel. She has a clear vision and is already moving the school in a positive direction. Excellent teachers, supportive PTA, and hard working students
—Submitted by a parent

My child has gone to this school for 3 years. The teachers are fair and the kids work and play well together. My child is happy here and motivated to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is so over rated! Yes, many teachers are excellent but without an excellent environment to thrive in it's difficult for all involved. Bullying is bad. (and no. Bullying isn't everywhere if nipped in the bud immediately!) Mama drama even worse. And the extra programs offered are for after school only when many kids are off doing their sports. And if you are not a member of the PTSA, forget involvement, cuz the group is very clicky. We bit the bullet and switched to private school.
—Submitted by a parent

Aikahi is simply stated top-notch. Yes, Hawaii public education is lacking in various ways when compared to the mainland, which is why Aikahi sets itself apart from other public schools by offering a tremendous, unique, and diverse after-school enrichment program. Parents who do not get involved with volunteering regularly, PTSA, helping with school events, etc. seem to be the unhappy ones. Your child's educational experience is in large part what YOU as parents make of it with your involvement. Bullying can happen anywhere. It is NOT a bigger problem at this school relative to any other school in Hawaii, quite the contrary. Those that choose to homeschool, so be it....you are missing out on a valuable, irreplaceable, real-world social, cultural and educational experience in this wonderful community. VERY military-friendly school with some fantastic teachers and volunteers. I, as so many others, am PROUD to be an Aikahi parent!
—Submitted by a parent

Note to those who honestly express opinions that contain elements of truth (regarding the administration in this school). Trying to share resources with other families who may have had similiar experiences is apparently not permitted (must have missed that in the terms of use and school review guidelines). Your post will mysteriously vanish into cyberspace (as 2 of mine have). Has anyone else had this experience? Hmmmmmm? Just wondering what they have to hide? Apparently factual information is seen as threatening and/or dangerous. LOL
—Submitted by a parent

I searched out the best school we could find when moving here with the military. We jumped through hoops to get our kids into Aikahi. It was a mistake. The bottom line is that the principal tolerates and protects bullies, and the academics are far behind a basic public school in the rural south. I know 3 separate families, 4 including my own, who now home school their children because Aikahi Elementary failed them. Teachers there seem nice and work hard, but bullies ruin the atmosphere for learning and no one does anything meaningful to stop it. Even with multiple investigations the only outcome was lip service, and in so many words, blaming the victims. Subsequently, these 4 families had their children in counseling to deal with the bullying, but the bullies were not only tolerated, but unaffected by the school s response. Academically, we found the curriculum quite unremarkable, particularly in math (Everyday Math with few supplements), history (none that I saw), and science. The gifted program was challenging in Language Arts. On the positive side, your child will learn hula and the kids enjoyed art and the cool playground, if they are not being bullied on it.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a military family and have been on-island for 6 months. We specifically rented a home within this school district based on everything we read. Aikahi seemed like top-notch school. And it is. However, I do think that a lot of the information floating around out there is dated. Aikahi likes to tout the fact that it was a Blue Ribbon School. This is a great accomplishment to be sure, but it should be noted that since this was awarded the school's principle has changed. I am very pleased with my children's teachers, however, the principle Ms. Kong leaves a lot to be desired. I walk my children to school, volunteer regularly, and have lunch with them about twice a month. Since the school year began (6 months ago) I have seen her TWICE on an ordinary day (walking the hall). She is never outside in the morning to greet the children, I've never seen her in the cafeteria, and have yet to witness her saying your typical "Bye, have a good night and don't forget to do your homework". I have been to the two coffees she has held (one about the academic software the students use, and one about next year's budget). I worry that her lack of leadership will pull this school down.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Aikahi from Kindergarten - 2nd grade. We absolutely LOVED it. Yes...the principal is a bit scatterbrained, but the teachers and PTSA is fantastic! If we move back to Hawaii, we would definitely consider coming back to Aikahi. VERY MILITARY FRIENDLY!
—Submitted by a parent

We chose to pull our children from this school. There was a fairly minor incident on the playground, that could have turned into one of those magical teaching moments if the principal knew anything! The woman has all the right degrees and zero ability to implement any of it. She actually said several things to me that would raise the eyebrows of her superiors, at the very least!!! She made disparaging remarks about children that witnessed the incident, she said one thing then another about one subject, she even made inappropriate threats. This school has so much potential! Most of the teachers are very dedicated and are the kind of teacher you always hope your child will have. The facilities are beautiful and the children are a wonderful mix of locals and military. The reputation this school earned under the leadership of a fantastic principal is what keeps their rating high. Once the current principal gets finished she may ruin the whole school. She has weakened the morale of the teachers to a staggering level - they know they cannot count on her for the administrative support they need!

Great environment with helpful teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Committed parents, great teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic teachers that care and give their 200% every day!
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers & school spirit. Our daughter loves to go to school!
—Submitted by a parent

everyone cares about our children. I seldom hear kids saying bad words as I spend a lot of time in the playgound and when I remind them of their safety playing around the playgound they listen. as a parent whenever I go to any palaygound and sees children playing not safe I reminded them or if I see them being rough on the play equipment, i also remind them. And most of the kids that answers back and not listening came from other school.
—Submitted by a parent

Let the record speak for itself. Aikahi Elementary has been recognized as being one of the best public school on the windward side of Oahu. We have parents from all over the island enroll their children at Aikahi Elementary for many different reasons. Even if it means that they have to leave their homes by 6am to bring their children to school, that doesn't stop them from enrolling into Aikahi. That alone speaks great volumes. Our teachers go above and beyond the high education standards we keep for our students. Our faculty members instills in our students life long lessons such as respect towards others, promoting healthy choices & community service. Why is Aikahi a great school? Because we have the best support team possible, our faculty and parents, which help raise the best kids possible.

Daily work needs to be harder. It seems to me that the children are at least 1/2 a grade level or more behind public schools on the mainland. Having a teacher's aid would help control the "busy" children. Class room ratio of 28:1 teacher seems too high.
—Submitted by a parent

My boys attended Aikahi Elementary from 2006-2010 (3rd-6th grades). The teachers are hard working, devoted and approachable; they are the greatest!
—Submitted by a parent

Aikahi Elementary believes in promoting the whole child.... academically, physically and socially. We take pride in developing strengths in our students that will enable them to be productive and hopefully, happy adults.
—Submitted by a teacher