{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kalihi Waena Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":61.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5718806,"projectId":10103573,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in supporting our project, \"Bits, Bytes, and Bright Smiles: A Safe and Rewarding Classroom.\" When the boxes arrived, the room was buzzing with pure excitement. The students could not wait to open them, and seeing their faces light up as they saw the brand-new headphones and custom t-shirts was an unforgettable moment. It means the world to them knowing that people outside our school care so deeply about their education and well-being.\r\n\r\nThe new headphones have completely transformed our classroom environment, especially during testing and independent computer work. Students can now focus entirely on their assessments without any outside distractions, which has greatly boosted their confidence and focus. Meanwhile, the personalized t-shirts have created an incredible sense of community and belonging. Wearing them makes everyone feel like they are an essential part of an inclusive, supportive team. Moving forward, we plan to wear our matching shirts during upcoming school-wide events and use the headphones daily as we dive into our next big digital literacy unit. Thank you for making our classroom a safer, more rewarding place to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1771607271599,"projectUrl":"project/bits-bytes-and-bright-smiles-a-safe-a/10103573/","projectTitle":"Bits, Bytes, and Bright Smiles: A Safe and Rewarding Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Chang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5718806_orig.jpg?crop=320,320,x0,y38&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724218817272","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/alohamrschang"},{"teacherId":8820436,"projectId":10107554,"letterContent":"This project has had a tremendous impact on our students by giving them greater access to sports equipment and games that promote teamwork, confidence, and critical thinking skills. Through our school store, students can use their Lion Dollars to purchase volleyballs and footballs to practice at home, encouraging healthy habits and skill development outside of school.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment was watching students proudly choose their own equipment after working hard to earn Lion Dollars through positive behavior and academic effort. The board games have also become a favorite, helping students strengthen problem-solving, strategy, and social skills while working together.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, they were excited and grateful. Many immediately began talking about practicing with friends and family or playing the new games together.\r\n\r\nYour support is truly helping us \"Level the Playing Field\" for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1771787591805,"projectUrl":"project/leveling-the-playing-field/10107554/","projectTitle":"Leveling the Playing Field","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Soo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8820436"},{"teacherId":8102167,"projectId":10110351,"letterContent":"Our students were absolutely overjoyed by the tie-dye experience for Ho'ike! Because of this incredibly generous donation, every child was able to create their very own colorful shirt to wear during our performance. The process itself became such a meaningful memory for the students. They were excited to design something unique, explore color combinations, and work together as a class while preparing for this special cultural event.\r\n\r\nFor many of our students, having a custom shirt made them feel proud, included, and truly part of something important. On the day of Ho'ike, the rainbow of student-created shirts brought so much energy, confidence, and unity to the performance. The students felt special knowing they helped create what they were wearing on stage.\r\n\r\nYour generosity did far more than provide supplies — you created joy, connection, creativity, and lasting memories for an entire grade level. Thank you for single-handedly making this experience possible for our students. Your kindness and support made a huge impact on our classroom community, and the children will remember this experience for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1771782312714,"projectUrl":"project/bright-colors-bright-futures-tie-dye-f/10110351/","projectTitle":"Bright Colors, Bright Futures: Tie-Dye for Our Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Keunyoung","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8102167_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114281787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8102167"},{"teacherId":8102167,"projectId":10104539,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! These donations brought so much joy, creativity, and comfort to our students. From healthy snacks and fun treats that help keep students focused and motivated, to art supplies, markers, pencils, and organization tools that inspire creativity and confidence, every item made a meaningful impact. Students were especially excited about the gardening supplies, which will allow them to explore hands-on science and responsibility through planting and observation. Your generosity helps create a classroom environment that feels engaging, welcoming, and full of opportunities for learning and self-expression. We are truly grateful for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1771603270735,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-feed-minds-and-marigolds/10104539/","projectTitle":"Help Me Feed Minds and Marigolds.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Keunyoung","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8102167_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114281787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8102167"},{"teacherId":8819593,"projectId":10108859,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for providing the essential organizational tools my 5th graders needed to thrive. When the materials first arrived, the excitement in the room was palpable; my students were eager to use and play with everything, and you could see a sense of pride as they organized their personal learning spaces.\r\n\r\nSince integrating these resources, I have seen a significant shift in our classroom environment. We recently completed a complex research project where students had to manage multiple sources and drafts. In the past, this often led to misplaced papers and frustration, but with these new tools, my students remained focused on their learning rather than searching for lost supplies. These resources have empowered them to take ownership of their work and stay on task. Their next step is to use these organizational habits in middle school. Thank you for investing in their success!","fullyFundedDate":1771790062883,"projectUrl":"project/organized-for-success-tools-for-focused/10108859/","projectTitle":"Organized for Success: Tools for Focused 5th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Urata","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8819593"},{"teacherId":8978261,"projectId":10090002,"letterContent":"I am so grateful to the Hawaii State Department of Education for your help in funding all of these resources! Everything was carefully chosen for specific purposes in our classroom. For example, we use the microfiber cloths everyday when we use our whiteboards to practice math, writing, and other skills. The math magnetic items have aided my students' understanding of place value and money. Our classroom is significantly also more organized now and is stocked with supplies that my students have needed now and will need in the upcoming school year. Thank you again for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1771684913007,"projectUrl":"project/visual-engagement/10090002/","projectTitle":"Visual Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ahn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8978261"},{"teacherId":8978261,"projectId":9968658,"letterContent":"I really appreciate your thoughtfulness in contributing to this project and helping my students to learn and have fun learning math skills. So far, I have been using these math projects in a small group to work with those who are at grade level and would benefit from further enrichment in a team setting and with an engaging resource. These students have thoroughly enjoyed working together and completing these projects quietly while I work with other small groups in our math period. I look forward to using more of these during the rest of this school year as well as using them early on next school year! Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1767226583152,"projectUrl":"project/differentiated-materials/9968658/","projectTitle":"Differentiated Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ahn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8978261"},{"teacherId":9531319,"projectId":9904893,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our 4th-grade classroom! State testing can be a daunting milestone for nine and ten-year-olds, but your donation of earbuds, pouches, and writing supplies has fundamentally changed the environment in our room. By providing these materials, you have helped us remove the \"logistical noise\" that often contributes to test anxiety, allowing my students to focus entirely on showing off what they've learned this year.\r\n\r\nYour gift provides more than just the tools for the job—it provides confidence. The earbuds give each student a quiet \"focus bubble,\" while the mesh and clear pouches keep their desks organized and distraction-free. Even the small details, like the pencil dispenser and sharpeners, ensure that a broken lead is just a quick fix rather than a stressful interruption. My students feel truly \"pro\" heading into their exams, knowing they have a high-quality kit designed specifically for their success.","fullyFundedDate":1764674137195,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-organized/9904893/","projectTitle":"We are Organized!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9531319_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y1008&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715041846375","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/akanewilliams"},{"teacherId":8488517,"projectId":10108258,"letterContent":"This project has brought a new level of energy and engagement into our classroom by combining hands-on learning tools with supportive technology. The rollercoaster-building set, in particular, has helped students better understand concepts like motion, force, and problem-solving in a way that feels exciting and tangible. At the same time, classroom technology paired with student headphones allows learners to focus on individualized lessons, listen to instructions at their own pace, and fully engage without distractions. Even something as simple as a new, reliable pencil sharpener has made a difference—students spend less time dealing with broken pencils and more time staying focused on their work.\r\n\r\nStudents are especially excited about the rollercoaster set because it turns learning into an interactive experience where they can design, test, and improve their ideas. It encourages creativity, teamwork, and persistence as they experiment with different builds. The headphones have also been a favorite, giving students a sense of independence when working on computers, whether they are listening to stories, watching instructional videos, or completing digital activities. Together, these tools create an environment where learning feels both fun and accessible.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have truly thrived with these additions. Hands-on learners who may struggle with traditional instruction have found success and confidence through building and experimenting with the rollercoaster materials. Students who are easily distracted benefit greatly from the headphones, which help them stay focused and engaged during computer-based tasks. Even small improvements, like the ease of using a dependable pencil sharpener, have reduced frustration and helped students maintain their momentum throughout the day. Overall, this project has supported a more inclusive and effective learning environment for all of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1771685364459,"projectUrl":"project/hydrated-minds-inspired-classroom/10108258/","projectTitle":"Hydrated Minds & Inspired Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mitchell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8488517_orig.jpg?crop=1568,1568,x1448,y1971&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657752327806","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8488517"},{"teacherId":589711,"projectId":10105647,"letterContent":"My students earn kala (Hawaiian word for money) when they complete quality classwork. The classroom store is opened once a week for students to spend their kala. The store opening is always looked forward to by students of this class. However, when students saw the new items that came from this Donors Choose project, they were especially excited. My students are Newcomers to the United States and are in this special class to help accelerate their skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. Anything that can help my students navigate their new school system and homesickness is more than welcome!\r\nBesides the incentives that my students can buy by doing good quality classwork, they do not need to bring any supplies to this class. I supply all the notebooks, headphones, pencils, crayons, etc. from Donors Choose project. My students come from low socio-economic households, so getting supplies for school is a hardship. Since every item the students need, I create an equal start for all my students. No one feels bad if they don't have a pencil box full of the stuff they need!","fullyFundedDate":1771634497791,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-stocked-for-learning/10105647/","projectTitle":"Classroom Stocked for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Charnin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp589711_orig.jpg?crop=320,320,x0,y40&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659562311524","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/589711"},{"teacherId":8820433,"projectId":10103382,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and staff, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your incredibly generous donation of toys, erasers, marbles, and slime. It is no exaggeration to say that these items are currently the most \"high-demand\" treasures in our building!\r\n\r\nBeyond just being fun, your contribution plays a vital role in our positive behavior initiative. At our school, we utilize a \"school money\" system designed to empower students and reinforce the Choose Love Formula. Students earn this currency by demonstrating courage, compassion, forgiveness and gratitude. Additionally, we use this system to build essential life skills by rewarding students for their reliability—simply for showing up to school and being on time.\r\n\r\nWhen our students head to the school store, they aren't just \"buying a toy.\" They are experiencing the tangible result of their hard work and character development. Whether it's a vibrant container of slime or a set of marbles, these items represent a week of showing up, staying focused, and choosing love over conflict.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a partner in our mission to grow not only great students but great humans. Your kindness is a perfect example of the compassion we teach our kids every day.","fullyFundedDate":1771444967349,"projectUrl":"project/hale-kuai-liona-school-store-for-stud/10103382/","projectTitle":"Hale Ku'ai Liona - School Store for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fukuda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8820433"},{"teacherId":5633850,"projectId":10103548,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our project, \"Supplies for an Engaging Classroom Setting.\" Your generosity has helped create a more welcoming and organized classroom for my kindergarten students.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies arrived, the students were excited to see the new materials and eager to start using them. These resources are now part of our daily classroom routines and help students stay engaged and focused during lessons.\r\n\r\nHaving the right supplies available makes a big difference in helping my students feel confident and ready to learn. Your support is helping create a positive learning environment where they can grow and succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1772040314819,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-an-engaging-classroom-setti/10103548/","projectTitle":"Supplies for an Engaging Classroom Setting","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5633850_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1125,x0,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627545885153","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wivinia-ramilla"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50845","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":432,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":42,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":41,"percentMultiracialImputed":11,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":38.8,"schoolId":50845,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kalihi Waena Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kalihi Waena Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/honolulu-school-district/kalihi-waena-elementary-school/50845"}
Join the 206 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Kalihi Waena Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Honolulu, Hawaii that is part of Honolulu School District.
It serves 432 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.3:1.
Its teachers have had 252 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades Pre-K - 5
432 Students
35 Teachers
1240 Gulick AveContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
46%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Kalihi Waena Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 21, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Kalihi Waena Elementary School
$174,409
raised using DonorsChoose
252
projects
funded
45
teachers
funded
206
donors
46
projects
for
basic supplies
42
projects for
technology
22
projects for
books
20
projects
for
art supplies
Kalihi Waena Elementary School has received support from
80 individuals from Hawaii and
126 individuals out-of-state.