Manoa Elementary School

My son went to Hokulani for 6 years. He’s a 7th grader now. He had fun at Hokulani learning the importance of values and compassion as well as academics. He enjoyed art, music, drama, Japanese, Spanish, PE, Math team, Hawaiiana, Library activities, Science fair, MIni Society Market day, Computer, and core courses. Teachers are loving, encouraging, and passionate about students’ total well-being. They are great at cheering for and sharing students’ achievements and good behaviors. Staff and faculty at Hokulani work tirelessly to create and provide a safe, fun, and respectful learning environment to students. Parents and families have many opportunities to get involved in various activities with their children, learning and creating memories together. When my son was attending Hokulani, students enjoyed Fall Fair, Fun Run, School Beautification, Movie nights and Family activity nights, Moon & Stargazing with telescopes, and many Book Fairs that involved students and families to work together, bond and feel a strong sense of belonging in the community. We are grateful for the experiences, memories, and learning my son and my family had at Hokulani.

This school is great, clean, close by.

The principal at Saint Francis Xavier, Catholic elementary school is very rude to students and puts on a fake task for parents. She confiscated a child’s phone, even though she was trying to put it away and turn it off but then the principal had said that he was rude to her even though he was trying to tell her what was going on the office staff there is very disrespectful to some of the students even though when they’re not doing nothing. I would not recommend Saint Francis Xavier as a school for your children.

The teachers are mostly solid, except for a few, like any school. I am withdrawing my two students due to major concerns for violations of federal laws regarding the student privacy and student safety. I thought after the drowning of a student during school they would look out for the best of the students, but nothing changed. They have no policies in place to keep children safe. They told me in writing I can call the police myself if I have a concern about an individual.

If your child fits neatly into a box (very compliant, never challenges what the authorities tell them is the answer, has no learning differences, needs no accommodations) then this is a great place for them. The school prides itself on being experts in elementary education, and if you and your child don't love everything they do and (at least pretend to) thrive in this "magical" environment, they will make you feel like something is wrong with your child and often find a way to push you out. They talk about being so welcoming and inclusive to everyone, but what they mean is that they welcome a very specific type of child and family and are not really interested in making room for those that they feel don't fit neatly into their "perfect image". It's a bit heartbreaking to see how they have made some families feel like they don't belong.