Ho'okena Elementary School in Captain Cook, Hawaii on DonorsChoose

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They were amazed when I told them this project was fully funded and showed them all the books they now were able to read. \r\nThank you so much for helping me show my kids just how special they are, how much they deserve, and encouraging them to reach higher and higher.","fullyFundedDate":1746787335871,"projectUrl":"project/running-out-of-books/9250978/","projectTitle":"Running Out of Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5951352_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x179,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1571364270845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-malie"},{"teacherId":5951352,"projectId":8981142,"letterContent":"The resources from this project have had an immense impact on my students behavior and overall well-being. When they were first told of the project and how much support we received, they were blown away. 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I foresee us filling it up at least one more time (if not twice) before the end of the year. This system has helped the students to have something tangible to work for and to motivate them to make better learning decisions. It has been such an amazing experience getting to witness the shift in their decision-making in regards to behavior, and also give them opportunity to learn about saving and managing currency. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for pouring into their lives in such a positive way.","fullyFundedDate":1733437622808,"projectUrl":"project/reward-zone/8981142/","projectTitle":"Reward Zone","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5951352_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x179,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1571364270845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-malie"},{"teacherId":9755431,"projectId":8796366,"letterContent":"I can't express just how grateful I am for the donation that you have provided to our classroom. The books that you funded for our class have made such a large impact on the students and their reading. 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I can tell that reading no longer scares them and I believe this is because they have been able to read books that they enjoy and this has increased their reading capabilities. \r\nAgain, I can't thank you enough for the impact that you have had on the students as well as myself.","fullyFundedDate":1727139473624,"projectUrl":"project/big-dreams-for-even-bigger-reading-goals/8796366/","projectTitle":"Big Dreams for Even Bigger Reading Goals!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Uemura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9755431"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50766","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":98,"numTeachers":8,"percentFrplEligible":56,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":56.4,"schoolId":50766,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ho'okena Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ho'okena Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/ho-okena-elementary-school/50766"}

About this school

Ho'okena Elementary School is a rural public school in Captain Cook, Hawaii that is part of Hawaii School District. It serves 98 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.2:1. Its teachers have had 30 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades K - 5

98 Students

8 Teachers

86-4355 Mamalahoa Hwy

Captain Cook, HI 96704 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Ho'okena Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Academia

Ms. K

Ms. Uemura

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Ho'okena Elementary School Demographics

56%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

28%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Ho'okena Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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.