Wai’alae Elementary Public Charter School is a tuition free Preschool to Grade 5 elementary school located in the Kaimuki section of East Honolulu.
In 1995, the school became Hawai’i’s first Student-Centered School and then four years later, with the passage of Hawai’i’s “charter school law”, evolved into a Public Charter School.
Wai’alae Elementary Public Charter School is a student centered school that honors the whole child. It is committed to nurturing a joyful community of learners who strive for excellence and innovation; empowering all members of the community to actively engage in a democratic society.
Aloha and welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School! Whether you are a returning member of our ‘ohana (family) or visiting us for the first time, we are so glad that you’re here. Wai‘alae is a place where learning, creativity, and community come together in meaningful ways—and where every child and their ‘ohana is known, valued, and supported.
At Wai‘alae, our mission is to provide a well-rounded education that nurtures the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and creatively. We believe learning is most powerful when it connects to students’ lives and the world around them. Through Integrated Thematic Units (ITUs), special subjects, and resource classes, our students engage in authentic, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, build critical thinking, and foster a lifelong love of learning.
This year, our vision continues to center on belonging and kuleana—our shared responsibility to care for one another, our community, and our environment. We want every student to feel a deep sense of connection and purpose at school and in our greater school community. By creating opportunities for students to collaborate, problem-solve, and express their ideas in various ways, we cultivate confident learners who know they can be positive change makers in the world.
Our teachers and staff are dedicated to ensuring that every student experiences rigorous, engaging, and meaningful instruction and the joy of discovery each day. We also commit to developing strong partnerships with families and community programs, knowing that education is strongest when we learn and grow together.
As we look ahead to this school year, we are excited to continue building on Wai‘alae’s legacy of innovation and excellence in education. Together, we will nurture the curiosity, compassion, and courage that empower our students to become thoughtful contributors and lifelong learners.
Mahalo for taking the time to visit our website and learn more about our school. We invite you to explore, stay connected, and join us in celebrating the many ways our students, staff, and families make Wai‘alae a wonderful place to learn and grow.
For our keiki (children),
Kawika Chun
Head of School/CEO, Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School
Wai’alae is committed to providing educational experiences that help our students develop the habits of mind and the attitudes of effective, productive citizens who are able to think, to solve problems, to make decisions, and to work together. Each child is challenged through a curricula of theme-based unit studies. Students and teachers create interactive learning environments where student input helps to determine particular areas of study, and students are involved in multidimensional assessments based on performance criteria. Wai’alae strives to provide each child with a firm foundation for learning by developing both the traits of curious, critical and reflective thinkers, and balanced with the more traditional rote memory and repetition of reading, writing, and numeric skills through:
An integral part of our program is our partnership with our families and community who support and enable us to provide innovative educational opportunities for our students. Building strong relationships with our students and families is essential for the success of our school and student learning. We foster academic excellence, as well as the development of important social and emotional skills.
At Wai’alae, our highly qualified teachers encourage a love of learning from the very start of our students’ academic journey. Our partnerships with community organizations provide meaningful learning opportunities which provide rich learning experiences that support learning.
Wai’alae also seeks to provide enrichment opportunities for students outside of the normal school day. These after-school programs are run independently by private directors, but all classes are held on the Wai’alae School campus. Program length, meeting frequency, and registration procedures vary. Some programs may not be available for all grade levels. Specific program and registration information is distributed to all families at the beginning of the school year and/or at the beginning of the second half of the school year.
Wai’alae is committed to providing leadership and direction for the school community to ensure that Wai’alae’s vision is a reality for all students. The Wai’alae School Board is responsible and accountable for the setting of policy and school direction, for the promotion and maintenance of communication among members of the school community, and for the effective management of resources.
Wai’alae’s accountability framework and process requires the members of the school community to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of our organizational program.
Wai’alae Elementary School opens at its present location at 19th and Harding Avenues in Kaimuki.
Wai’alae becomes the first school to adopt School/Community Based Management (SCBM).
Wai’alae begins a five-year restructuring project that focuses on developing a social studies/science curriculum framework; designing a multi-dimensional student assessment system; promoting parent participation in schoolwide improvement efforts; and enhancing professional development for teachers.
The Hawai’i State Legislature passes the Educational Omnibus Bill creating “Student-Centered Schools” (SCS). Student-Centered Schools would be allowed to implement alternative administrative and educational policies and goals without being bound by Department of Education policies and State laws (except for those governing collective bargaining, procurement, equal rights, and health and safety). Funding would be provided based on a per pupil allocation for instructional and classroom expenses. Budgetary and fiscal decisions would be made by the school’s own governing board.
Wai’alae School signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hawai’i State Department of Education to become Hawai’i’s first Student-Centered School.
Wai’alae School undergoes a self-study using the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Focus on Learning process.
Wai’alae School receives a six-year term of accreditation from WASC.
Legislation creating “New Century Public Charter Schools” is passed and signed into law. Wai’alae School becomes Wai’alae New Century Public Charter School.
A groundbreaking agreement between the Hawai’i State Teachers Association and the Wai’alae School Board is signed making Wai’alae School the first public school in Hawai’i to have its own contract with its teachers.
Wai’alae School begins a self-study for renewal of WASC accreditation.
Wai’alae School receives a six-year term of accreditation from WASC.
Wai’alae School begins a self-study for renewal of WASC accreditation and has continued to be WASC accredited to this day.
Wai’alae School receives a five-year charter renewal from the Hawai'i State Charter School Commission