Kalihi Waena Elementary School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2026)

1240 Gulick Ave
Honolulu, HI 96819

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

www.kwes.org

Serving 453 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Kalihi Waena Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Hawaii for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 32% (which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 39%). The percentage of students achieving is 35% (which is lower than the Hawaii state average of 52%).

The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is equal to the Hawaii state level of 14:1.

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 453 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
: Bottom 50% in HI
: 32% (Btm 50%)
: 35% (Btm 50%)
: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education

School Overview

Kalihi Waena Elementary School's student population of 453 students has declined by 7% over five school years.

The teacher population of 32 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Kalihi Waena Elementary School
Pre-K	6
Kind	42
1	49
2	82
3	72
4	87
5	115

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Total Students

453 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School
2023	465
2022	487
2021	492
2020	469
2019	469
2018	487
2017	487
2016	528
2015	546
2014	587
2013	584
2012	596
2011	579
2010	556
2009	552
2008	545
2007	559
2006	563
2005	558
2004	557
2003	568
2002	555
2001	568
2000	592
1999	620
1998	629
1997	605
1996	587
1995	600
1994	567
1993	533
1992	625
1991	607
1990	585
1989	629
1988	623
1987	594

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

32 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School
2023	33
2022	33
2021	33
2020	33
2019	33
2018	37
2017	37
2016	34
2015	34
2014	35
2013	38
2012	37
2011	35
2010	37
2009	38
2008	37
2007	36
2006	36
2005	36
2004	36
2003	35
2002	38
2001	38
2000	41
1999	36
1998	36
1997	35
1996	35
1995	34
1994	33
1993	28
1992	32
1991	31
1990	30
1989	32
1988	36
1987	35

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School Motto

Strive High with PRIDE That's the Lion Way!

School Rankings

Kalihi Waena Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 292 schools in Hawaii (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Kalihi Waena Elementary School is 0.63, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.80. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (HI)

#215 out of 292 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School
2023	#215
2022	#210
2021	#256
2019	#187
2018	#194
2017	#220
2016	#239
2015	#260
2014	#199
2013	#183
2012	#228

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32%

39%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	32%	39%	40%
2022	33%	38%	38%
2021	14%	32%	32%
2019	41%	42%	42%
2018	39%	42%	42%
2017	32%	42%	42%
2016	32%	42%	42%
2015	22%	41%	41%
2014	57%	58%	58%
2013	63%	59%	59%
2012	51%	59%	59%

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35%

52%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2022	35%	52%	52%
2021	28%	50%	50%
2019	40%	54%	53%
2018	41%	54%	42%
2017	36%	50%	50%
2016	31%	51%	51%
2015	23%	49%	49%
2014	56%	69%	69%
2013	61%	72%	72%
2012	58%	71%	71%
2011	45%	67%	67%

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35-39%

40%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2022	37%	40%	40%
2021	22%	35%	35%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	14:1	14:1	15:1
2022	15:1	14:1	15:1
2021	15:1	15:1	15:1
2020	14:1	15:1	15:1
2019	14:1	15:1	15:1
2018	13:1	16:1	16:1
2017	13:1	16:1	16:1
2016	16:1	16:1	16:1
2015	16:1	16:1	16:1
2014	17:1	16:1	16:1
2013	16:1	16:1	16:1
2012	16:1	16:1	16:1
2011	17:1	16:1	16:1
2010	15:1	16:1	16:1
2009	15:1	16:1	16:1
2008	15:1	16:1	16:1
2007	16:1	16:1	16:1
2006	16:1	16:1	16:1
2005	16:1	17:1	17:1
2004	15:1	17:1	17:1
2003	16:1	17:1	17:1
2002	15:1	17:1	17:1
2001	15:1	17:1	17:1
2000	14:1	17:1	17:1
1999	17:1	18:1	18:1
1998	17:1	18:1	18:1
1997	17:1	18:1	18:1
1996	17:1	18:1	18:1
1995	18:1	18:1	18:1
1994	17:1	18:1	18:1
1993	19:1	18:1	18:1
1992	20:1	19:1	18:1
1991	20:1	19:1	19:1
1990	20:1	19:1	19:1
1989	20:1	20:1	20:1
1988	18:1	18:1	18:1
1987	17:1	18:1	18:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

43%

24%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	44%	25%	25%
2022	45%	26%	26%
2021	50%	27%	27%
2020	50%	28%	28%
2019	50%	28%	28%
2018	52%	29%	30%
2017	52%	29%	30%
2016	51%	31%	31%
2015	49%	32%	31%
2014	51%	32%	32%
2013	53%	34%	34%
2012	51%	34%	35%
2011	57%	36%	35%
2010	91%	73%	73%
2009	91%	73%	73%
2008	92%	73%	73%
2007	93%	73%	73%
2006	93%	74%	74%
2005	93%	73%	73%
2004	94%	72%	74%
2003	95%	73%	73%
2002	95%	73%	73%
2001	94%	73%	74%
2000	94%	72%	73%
1999	91%	72%	72%
1998	91%	71%	71%
1997	94%	56%	56%
1996	94%	70%	70%
1995	92%	69%	69%
1994	92%	69%	69%
1993	92%	68%	68%
1992	91%	68%	68%
1991	95%	72%	73%

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Hispanic

19%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	4%	18%	18%
2022	3%	18%	18%
2021	3%	17%	17%
2020	4%	15%	15%
2019	4%	15%	15%
2018	2%	13%	13%
2017	2%	13%	13%
2016	2%	12%	12%
2015	2%	11%	11%
2014	2%	10%	10%
2013	2%	8%	8%
2012	1%	6%	7%
2011	1%	4%	5%
2010	1%	5%	5%
2009	1%	5%	5%
2008	1%	5%	5%
2007	1%	5%	5%
2006	1%	5%	5%
2005	1%	5%	4%
2004	1%	4%	4%
2003	1%	5%	5%
2002	1%	5%	5%
2001	1%	5%	4%
2000	1%	5%	5%
1999	3%	5%	5%
1998	2%	5%	5%
1997	2%	9%	10%
1996	2%	5%	5%
1995	3%	5%	5%
1994	3%	5%	5%
1993	3%	5%	5%
1992	3%	5%	5%
1991	1%	3%	3%

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Black

n/a

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2013)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2013	1%	2%	2%
2012	1%	2%	2%
2011	1%	2%	2%
2010	1%	2%	2%
2009	1%	2%	2%
2008	1%	2%	2%
2006	1%	1%	1%
2001	1%	2%	2%
2000	1%	2%	2%
1999	1%	2%	2%
1998	1%	3%	3%
1997	1%	4%	5%
1995	1%	3%	3%
1994	1%	3%	3%
1993	1%	3%	3%
1992	1%	3%	3%
1991	1%	2%	2%

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White

n/a

11%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2012)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2012	1%	14%	14%
2011	1%	14%	14%
2010	7%	19%	19%
2009	7%	19%	19%
2008	6%	19%	19%
2007	6%	19%	19%
2006	5%	19%	19%
2005	6%	19%	20%
2004	5%	20%	20%
2003	4%	20%	20%
2002	4%	20%	20%
2001	4%	20%	20%
2000	4%	21%	20%
1999	5%	21%	21%
1998	6%	21%	21%
1997	3%	22%	22%
1996	4%	22%	23%
1995	4%	23%	23%
1994	4%	23%	23%
1993	4%	24%	24%
1992	5%	24%	24%
1991	3%	23%	22%
1990	3%	23%	23%
1989	3%	23%	23%
1988	3%	23%	23%

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Hawaiian

42%

25%

View Data

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	39%	26%	26%
2022	40%	26%	26%
2021	36%	27%	27%
2020	35%	28%	28%
2019	35%	28%	28%
2018	36%	30%	30%
2017	36%	30%	30%
2016	37%	30%	31%
2015	42%	31%	32%
2014	42%	32%	32%
2013	39%	33%	33%

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Two or more races

11%

20%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	13%	19%	19%
2022	12%	18%	18%
2021	11%	17%	17%
2020	11%	15%	15%
2019	11%	15%	15%
2018	10%	13%	13%
2017	10%	13%	13%
2016	10%	12%	11%
2015	7%	11%	11%
2014	5%	10%	10%
2013	5%	9%	9%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.63

0.80

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	0.64	0.80	0.80
2022	0.63	0.80	0.80
2021	0.61	0.79	0.80
2020	0.62	0.79	0.79
2019	0.62	0.79	0.79
2018	0.60	0.78	0.78
2017	0.60	0.78	0.78
2016	0.60	0.78	0.77
2015	0.58	0.77	0.77
2014	0.57	0.76	0.76
2013	0.57	0.76	0.75
2012	0.57	0.75	0.74
2011	0.58	0.74	0.73
2010	0.17	0.44	0.43
2009	0.17	0.43	0.43
2008	0.15	0.43	0.43
2007	0.13	0.44	0.43
2006	0.13	0.43	0.43
2005	0.13	0.44	0.43
2004	0.11	0.44	0.43
2003	0.10	0.44	0.44
2002	0.12	0.44	0.44
2001	0.12	0.44	0.43
2000	0.12	0.44	0.43
1999	0.17	0.44	0.44
1998	0.17	0.46	0.45
1997	0.13	0.64	0.52
1996	0.13	0.47	0.46
1995	0.16	0.47	0.47
1994	0.16	0.48	0.47
1993	0.16	0.48	0.48
1992	0.18	0.48	0.48
1991	0.10	0.43	0.43

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Eligible for

57%

37%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	54%	37%	37%
2022	61%	39%	39%
2021	56%	39%	39%
2020	58%	36%	36%
2019	58%	36%	36%
2018	62%	38%	38%
2017	62%	38%	38%
2016	64%	40%	40%
2015	63%	40%	40%
2014	69%	40%	40%
2013	70%	40%	40%
2012	72%	38%	38%
2011	63%	36%	36%
2010	59%	33%	33%
2009	57%	30%	30%
2008	57%	27%	27%
2007	52%	29%	29%
2006	59%	30%	30%
2005	64%	31%	31%
2004	66%	32%	32%
2003	65%	33%	33%
2002	57%	31%	31%
2001	63%	33%	33%
2000	59%	30%	30%
1999	60%	30%	30%
1998	52%	27%	27%
1997	64%	30%	30%
1996	34%	16%	16%
1995	33%	13%	13%
1994	22%	13%	13%
1993	40%	19%	19%
1992	44%	20%	20%
1991	41%	20%	20%

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Eligible for

11%

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Hawaii	Hawaii Department Of Education School District
2023	11%	9%	9%
2022	11%	8%	8%
2021	11%	9%	9%
2020	14%	9%	9%
2019	14%	9%	9%
2018	14%	9%	9%
2017	14%	9%	9%
2016	11%	10%	9%
2015	13%	10%	9%
2014	12%	10%	10%
2013	12%	11%	11%
2012	13%	11%	11%
2011	16%	10%	10%
2010	20%	11%	11%
2009	20%	12%	12%
2008	18%	11%	11%
2007	17%	12%	12%
2006	16%	12%	12%
2005	16%	11%	11%
2004	15%	11%	11%
2003	16%	11%	11%
2002	15%	10%	10%
2001	19%	11%	11%
2000	9%	9%	9%
1999	9%	8%	8%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Hawaii Department Of Education School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HI Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kalihi Waena Elementary School's ranking?

Kalihi Waena Elementary School is ranked #215 out of 292 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Hawaii.

What schools are Kalihi Waena Elementary School often compared to?

Kalihi Waena Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Kapalama Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

32% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% HI state average), while 35% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% HI state average).

How many students attend Kalihi Waena Elementary School?

453 students attend Kalihi Waena Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

43% of Kalihi Waena Elementary School students are Asian, 42% of students are Hawaiian, 11% of students are Two or more races, and 4% of students are Hispanic.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Kalihi Waena Elementary School?

Kalihi Waena Elementary School has a student ration of 14:1, which is equal to the Hawaii state average of 14:1.

What grades does Kalihi Waena Elementary School offer ?

Kalihi Waena Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).

What school district is Kalihi Waena Elementary School part of?

Kalihi Waena Elementary School is part of Hawaii Department Of Education School District.

In what neighborhood is Kalihi Waena Elementary School located?

Kalihi Waena Elementary School is located in the Kalihi Palama neighborhood of Honolulu, HI. There are 10 other public schools located in Kalihi Palama.

School Calendar

View the Kalihi Waena Elementary School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event

Date

Last Day of Q3

March 13, 2026 (Friday)

Spring Break-No School

March 16, 2026 (Monday)

End of Q4- Last Day for Students

May 28, 2026 (Thursday)

Thanksgiving Break- No School

November 26, 2026 (Thursday)

School Reviews

1 10/10/2025

This school is against parents. No support towards helping or caring for your child. Since half of the kids come from public housing the staff could careless. I had thought this school was great for my kids but boy was I wrong. If your child is 2nd grade and below, then your child is not able to part take in any school sports. It is only available to higher grades. They don't go by age, its done by grades. Such a bummer. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND HERE!

- Posted by Parent - single mom fighting for her kids

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