{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":52.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10275811,"projectId":9751290,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your incredible generosity in providing wrist heart rate monitors for my 7th and 8th-grade students. From the moment the boxes arrived, the energy in the gym shifted. When I first showed the students the devices, there was a wave of genuine excitement—many of them couldn't believe they were getting to use the same kind of \"tech\" they see professional athletes using. One student even asked, \"Wait, we get to see our actual heartbeats on the screen?\" It has turned fitness from a chore into a fascinating science experiment for them.\r\n\r\nWe are currently using these resources to bridge the gap between physical activity and health literacy. In a recent \"Interval Challenge,\" students monitored their heart rates during sprints versus recovery walks. It was a \"lightbulb moment\" for many when they saw their heart rates spike and then watched how quickly (or slowly) they returned to a resting state. Instead of me simply telling them to \"work harder,\" they are now self-regulating. They are learning to identify their Target Heart Rate Zones and are taking pride in staying within them, regardless of their athletic ability.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next step is a data-tracking project where students will log their heart rate trends over a two-week period. We'll be discussing the concept of cardiovascular efficiency and how consistent exercise lowers their resting heart rate over time. Your contribution didn't just buy us equipment; it gave my students a window into their own health that they will carry with them long after they leave the gym. Thank you for making our health a priority!","fullyFundedDate":1760557032307,"projectUrl":"project/every-beat-counts-fitness-tracking-in/9751290/","projectTitle":"“Every Beat Counts: Fitness Tracking in PE”","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jp","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10275811_orig.jpg?crop=777,777,x60,y330&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759967400603","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10275811"},{"teacherId":3319690,"projectId":9157771,"letterContent":"I am writing to share my heartfelt thanks for your gift toward our project, \"Social Emotional Materials Requested by Students.\" There is something incredibly powerful about a student identifying what they need to succeed and having a donor like you step up to provide it. This project is unique because the items were hand-picked by the students themselves. By fulfilling these requests, you are sending a message to our students that their mental health matters and their voices are heard. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the foundation of everything else we do.","fullyFundedDate":1741899558053,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-materials-requested-by/9157771/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Materials Requested by Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3319690"},{"teacherId":3319690,"projectId":6251914,"letterContent":"I am writing to share our sincere gratitude for your donation toward \"Art Materials for Classroom Learning.\" Walking into a classroom and seeing a fresh supply of art materials is a dream for both teachers and students, and you made that dream a reality. Because of your generosity, our students now have access to essential materials. For many of our students, these are more than just \"supplies\"—they are a primary way to communicate ideas and their feelings that they might not yet have the words for.","fullyFundedDate":1646764373057,"projectUrl":"project/art-materials-for-classroom-learning/6251914/","projectTitle":"Art Materials for Classroom Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3319690"},{"teacherId":3319690,"projectId":6954097,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our project, \"Making Sense of the Modern World for Social Emotional Well-Being.\" Your contribution is providing the vital resources we need to help our community navigate the complexities of life today with resilience and heart. Today's world moves fast, and for many, the constant stream of information can be overwhelming. Your gift allows us to create a \"brave space\" where we can break down modern challenges—from digital citizenship to global events—in a way that prioritizes emotional safety and mental health.","fullyFundedDate":1667089286417,"projectUrl":"project/making-sense-of-the-modern-world-for-soc/6954097/","projectTitle":"Making Sense of the Modern World for Social Emotional Well-Being","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3319690"},{"teacherId":3319690,"projectId":9125064,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donation of to our \"Classics to the Classroom\" project. They say a book is a \"mirror\" to see ourselves and a \"window\" to see others. Your generosity is helping us build a library of stories that teach young readers how to walk in someone else's shoes. In a world that can often feel divided, you are helping us plant the seeds of kindness and understanding. These aren't just books; they are tools that help children process complex emotions and develop a deeper respect for people from all walks of life.","fullyFundedDate":1741570902858,"projectUrl":"project/classics-for-the-classroom/9125064/","projectTitle":"Classics for the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3319690"},{"teacherId":3319690,"projectId":8999927,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my profound gratitude for your generous gift toward my National Board Certification fees. This certification is a rigorous, multi-year process, and your support removes a significant financial barrier, allowing me to focus entirely on improving my practice as an educator. National Board Certification is the \"Gold Standard\" in teaching. By funding this payment, you are investing in a proven method of increasing student achievement. The process requires deep reflection on my teaching methods, a mastery of my subject matter, and a data-driven approach to student learning.","fullyFundedDate":1739337166790,"projectUrl":"project/national-board-certification-payment/8999927/","projectTitle":"National Board Certification Payment","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3319690"},{"teacherId":3319690,"projectId":8878271,"letterContent":"I am writing to share our sincere thanks for your wonderful gift toward our Class Creativity Project. Your support is helping us turn our classroom into a space where imagination has no limits. Because of you, our students now have access to high-quality materials, supplies, digital or building materials. These aren't just supplies; they are the tools that allow a student to take a \"what if\" idea and turn it into something they can hold in their hands. Creativity is more than just making art—it's about problem-solving, building confidence, and finding a unique voice. By supporting this project, you are telling our students that their ideas matter and that their vision is worth investing in.","fullyFundedDate":1729187210370,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-creativity-tools/8878271/","projectTitle":"Classroom Creativity Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3319690"},{"teacherId":3319690,"projectId":8838329,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donation to our \"Books to Enhance Empathy\" project. They say a book is a mirror to see ourselves and a window to see others. Your generosity is helping us build a library of stories that teach young readers how to walk in someone else's shoes. In a world that can often feel divided, you are helping us plant the seeds of kindness and understanding. Because of your support, we are purchasing books for our classroom. These aren't just books; they are tools that help children process complex emotions and develop a deeper respect for people from all walks of life.","fullyFundedDate":1727963872251,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-enhance-empathy/8838329/","projectTitle":"Books to Enhance Empathy","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3319690"},{"teacherId":8979914,"projectId":9773554,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting Little Comforts, Big Impact: Snacks & Reading Support. Your generosity provides daily snacks and engaging books that help students stay focused, comfortable, and ready to learn. When the materials arrived, students were filled with excitement and pride, eager to read and share. With their basic needs met, students are developing stronger reading habits through partner reading, journals, and thoughtful discussions. These resources created a positive, supportive environment where students feel valued, motivated, and confident as learners.","fullyFundedDate":1759262050817,"projectUrl":"project/little-comforts-big-impact-snacks-re/9773554/","projectTitle":"Little Comforts, Big Impact: Snacks & Reading Support","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Elizares","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8979914"},{"teacherId":10305662,"projectId":9807242,"letterContent":"The impact of this project on our 2300-square-foot makerspace has been profound. For my students, many of whom face significant challenges at home, walking into a space that is clean, filled with the smell of fresh popcorn, and alive with music has changed the entire \"vibe\" of their school day. It's no longer just a classroom; it's a sanctuary for innovation.\r\n\r\nMany people think of a robot vacuum as a luxury, but in our Hawaii classroom that lays downwind of an active volcano, it has become an essential piece of health and safety technology. With Kilauea's frequent eruptions this year, our students constantly track in volcanic ash and Pele's hair (thin glass fibers from lava). This gritty, abrasive debris is difficult to manage manually in such a large space. Our new \"robot assistant\" works tirelessly nightly to ensure students have a clean, safe floor, and this technology has saved me hours of labor, allowing me to focus entirely on student instruction.\r\n\r\nThe most heartwarming change has been at our mini grand piano. One student in particular has \"gone all in\" since the lesson books arrived. Before, they would simply tap on the keys; now, they spend nearly every free moment with a book open, practicing scales and songs. It has provided a focused, meditative outlet for them that wasn't possible before.\r\n\r\nFinally, the popcorn has been an absolute hit. It's a simple joy, but for my students-many living below the poverty level-having a warm, reliable snack is the fuel they need to keep their brains engaged in complex maker tasks. Your generosity didn't just buy \"stuff\", it bought time, focus, and a sense of belonging for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1760282572150,"projectUrl":"project/from-3d-printing-to-chopin-a-21st-centu/9807242/","projectTitle":"From 3D Printing to Chopin: a 21st Century Makerspace","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Honma","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10305662_orig.jpg?crop=2464,2464,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767419223413","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10305662"},{"teacherId":9809854,"projectId":9781985,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of Full Bellies, Bright Futures: Snacks and Supplies for Success. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to healthy snacks and essential classroom supplies that help them stay focused, energized, and ready to learn each day. The snacks have made a meaningful difference, especially for students who arrive hungry, allowing them to fully engage in lessons.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were excited and deeply appreciative. Their smiles and gratitude reflected how much these resources meant to them and how supported they felt. The classroom supplies also ensured that every student had what they needed to participate confidently and without distraction.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, these resources will continue to support our daily instruction as students build foundational skills and grow as learners. Thank you for caring for both the academic success and well-being of our students. Your generosity is truly making a lasting impact!","fullyFundedDate":1759610164711,"projectUrl":"project/full-bellies-bright-futures-snacks-and/9781985/","projectTitle":"Full Bellies, Bright Futures: Snacks and Supplies for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Badilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9809854"},{"teacherId":3319690,"projectId":8507016,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift for our projects. We are thrilled to have you join our mission of using the power of vlogging and visual storytelling to shine a light on issues in our community. Vlogging allows us to bridge the gap between statistics and human stories. Your support directly funds the production of our upcoming content, covering essential costs. Because of you, we can capture the raw, unfiltered moments that spark empathy and inspire others to take action. Your donation isn't just a transaction; it's the fuel that helps us amplify voices that are often unheard.","fullyFundedDate":1726686291168,"projectUrl":"project/compassion-building-by-vlogging/8507016/","projectTitle":"Compassion Building by Vlogging","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3319690"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50769","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":488,"numTeachers":41,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":12,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"11.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":47.6,"schoolId":50769,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/ka-u-high-pahala-elementary-school/50769"}
Join the 189 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Pahala, Hawaii that is part of Hawaii School District.
It serves 488 students
in grades K - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.9:1.
Its teachers have had 183 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
24%
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.
Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 15, 2026
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Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School
$145,699
raised using DonorsChoose
183
projects
funded
42
teachers
funded
189
donors
13
projects
for
basic supplies
52
projects for
technology
24
projects for
books
8
projects
for
art supplies
Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School has received support from
90 individuals from Hawaii and
99 individuals out-of-state.