Kaunakakai Elementary School

Hawaii Department of Education
30 Ailoa St
Kaunakakai, HI 96748
282 Students
Elementary School Pre-K - 6th
School Overview
Kaunakakai Elementary School is a public school located in the heart of Molokai, Hawaii. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school acts as a vital educational anchor for the Kaunakakai community. It operates under the Hawaii State Department of Education and is known for its commitment to integrating local culture and values into its academic curriculum, reflecting the unique identity of the island.

The school environment emphasizes a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, focusing on fostering both academic growth and social-emotional development. By leveraging its small-town setting, Kaunakakai Elementary often encourages strong community involvement, family engagement, and place-based learning opportunities. As part of the Molokai Complex, the school plays a significant role in preparing students for their future transitions to middle and high school while maintaining a strong connection to the historical and cultural roots of the region.
282
Total Students
19.0
Full-Time Teachers
14.8
Student/Teacher Ratio
78.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • Pacific Islander
    185 (65.6%)
  • Two or More
    48 (17.0%)
  • Hispanic
    33 (11.7%)
  • Asian
    9 (3.2%)
  • White
    7 (2.5%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Elementary School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: Hawaii Department of Education
Phone: (808)533-1730
Grade Range: Pre-K - 6th
Total Students: 282
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 19.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 14.8
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 187
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 34

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 11
Kindergarten 37
Grade 1 38
Grade 2 42
Grade 3 41
Grade 4 30
Grade 5 43
Grade 6 40
Gender Ratio
Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)
Kualapuu School - Public Conversion Charter
Hawaii Department of Education
Charter School 291 Students
260 Farrington Hwy
Kualapuu, HI 96757 (5.0 miles away)
Elementary School Pre-K - 6th