{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"King David Kalakaua Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":38.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3392344,"projectId":10104385,"letterContent":"Thanks for the opportunity to purchase a bunch of goods for my students. I purchased pipes and fittings that were used to simulate the idea of moving water from one place to another. In 6th grade social studies, students are learning about ancient civilizations to include Mesopotamia, Egyptian, Indus Valley, and Chinese Civilizations. It was a fascinating period in world history because of how people and places evolved. Perhaps the greatest commonality that binds all 4 civilizations together is the importance of water. Each civilization understood the importance of water and how valuable that natural resource would be, especially for farming. It was during the first civilization of Mesopotamia that irrigation or the moving of water from one place to another emerged. It impacted how society grew and how civilizations emerged. Through this grant, I was able to purchase pipes and connectors where students moved water from one place to another. They experienced the concept of moving water and how important it was for humans to use irrigation for farming and subsequently, population growth and the eventual development of civilizations. Thanks again.","fullyFundedDate":1771470316921,"projectUrl":"project/irrigation-pipes/10104385/","projectTitle":"Irrigation Pipes","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ibara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3392344"},{"teacherId":10269833,"projectId":9730637,"letterContent":"My student use the podium/ standing desk when they share their findings with their class. The photo I attached was of a group of students who were presenting their research project during class. Students love having a podium and get excited when they use it. I personally use it as well, especially when I give feedback to students and need to move along with my computer. \r\nIn addition, the most used item has been the clipboards that were donated to us, especially when students want to sit on the carpet or any of the flexible seating areas I have. The clipboards were especially handy when we took a field trip to Kapiolani community college and students needed a clipboard to help them write on their worksheet. \r\nI haven't been able to use the clay that was sent to us, but I am hoping we will use it before the end of the school year. \r\nThank you so much for all the donations!","fullyFundedDate":1767118377980,"projectUrl":"project/6th-grade-world-history-project/9730637/","projectTitle":"6th Grade World History Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Daniels","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10269833"},{"teacherId":7928182,"projectId":10106332,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students, I would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to your untiring support to our classroom initiatives. Some ideas and plans won't happen if not for the generosity of the donors like you. My students were motivated to do their labs and enjoy the fruits of their labor through the snacks that were given to them. Though we are still navigating how to use the equipment for the thermal energy lab, there is no doubt in my mind that my future students will be able to use them effectively and efficiently in the years to come. \r\n\r\nAgain, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much and more power to you.","fullyFundedDate":1771658021882,"projectUrl":"project/for-the-love-of-lab-and-snacks/10106332/","projectTitle":"For the Love of Lab and Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7928182"},{"teacherId":9469113,"projectId":10083514,"letterContent":"Aloha! These fun games and toys have added so much joy to my classroom! The students are always so stressed at this time of the school year, with many different tests and exams that they have to complete. By using some of these fun and stress reducing items, we were able to make this otherwise uncomfortable time a little bit better!\r\n\r\nWe also had some more fun Harry Potter graphic novels that we were able to incorporate into the classroom thanks to your generous donation! The photos make the stories come alive with joy and my students (who normally would tell me that they were bored with reading) loved reading them!","fullyFundedDate":1770488021440,"projectUrl":"project/mr-whinnas-fun-and-literature/10083514/","projectTitle":"Mr Whinna's Fun and Literature!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Whinna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9469113"},{"teacherId":9971557,"projectId":10107987,"letterContent":"Using the microgreens kits in the classroom provides a hands-on laboratory that transforms abstract biological concepts into a visible, daily reality. As students engage with the kits, they observe the entire germination process in a compressed timeframe, typically seeing results within just a few days. This rapid growth cycle is ideal for maintaining student engagement, allowing them to track the transition from dormant seeds to vibrant, nutrient-dense cotyledons. By measuring growth rates and documenting the development of the first true leaves, students gain a practical understanding of plant anatomy and the specific environmental conditions—such as light, moisture, and airflow—required for life to flourish.\r\n\r\nBeyond the botanical science, these kits foster a sense of responsibility and curiosity regarding nutrition and sustainable food systems. When students are tasked with \"farming\" their own classroom crops, they become more invested in the results, often leading to a greater willingness to sample the greens they grew themselves. This experience bridges the gap between the soil and the plate, sparking discussions about intensive urban farming and how high-density planting can produce significant yields in small spaces. The process culminates in a tangible harvest, reinforcing the idea that science is not just a subject in a textbook, but a practical tool for self-sufficiency and healthy living.","fullyFundedDate":1771666187966,"projectUrl":"project/microgreens-in-cte/10107987/","projectTitle":"Microgreens in CTE","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kinoshita","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9971557"},{"teacherId":8834044,"projectId":10047738,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our school! The new capo have been a wonderful addition to my classroom. With the help of the capo we are now able to play any song in any key. It has been a great help for the progress of our students. The high quality aluminum capo allow for one handed changes in the middle of songs, something that was impossible in the past. The students have become much more proficient in their understanding of how key changes and capos work and are experimenting with different tunings and drone strings like on a banjo. Thre students are also learning to use Artificial Intelligence to chart out the chords of their favorite songs and with the help of the capo, learn to play them. When I was a young muscian, it would take me hours to make song sheet charts. Now the students are learning to do it in minutes. The combination of AI and capo usage is transformative in the way that students have access to playing. I have seen great growth and interest in learning from all of my classes. \r\nThe other day one of my students showed me a tiktok video by some young young kids playing a song by the Canadian Duo Angine de Poitrine. It is quite challenging and trchnical and I was surprised not just by the young age of the performers and their ability to perform at a high level but also because they were using cable ties between frets to create microtonal tuned guitars. I recignized that my student was able to see the connection of what they learned in school to their home world and the creative uses of tools for different purposes. \r\nI learned at the university that the creative ability to recognize the usage of one technology for a new purpose is how innovation comes about and how industries change. They become the disrupters and move the world. I can see creativity and application growing in my students and I am so grateful to you. \r\nAs I write this I laugh because of a funny thing that happened last night. I was at a band concert recording the performance and my cellphone battery started to get low and I needed to charge my battery. Unfortunately, the cable that I haf to charge my phone is not very long and my phone was on the tripod. I thought that I might have to hold the power bank next to the phone for the rest of the night. I looked in my bag and I had two capos and a computer cable. I wrapped the cable around the phone and tripod and powerbank and used the capos to hold them tight together and keep my phone charged. It worked for the rest of the night. Years of watching MacGyver in my youth really came in handy!\r\n\r\nI will share that story with my students on Monday and ask the students to think about and share experiences where they were able to be creative to solve a problem. That is how entrepreneurs and new businesses are formed. \r\n\r\nThank you DonorsChoice and Donors for your helping our class and school. You are greatly appreciated beyond words.\r\n\r\nMay all of the greatest blessings from all over the universe be with you. Mahalo! Boom Shaka!","fullyFundedDate":1769278861925,"projectUrl":"project/aluminum-capo-for-guitar-class/10047738/","projectTitle":"Aluminum Capo for Guitar Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. T","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8834044"},{"teacherId":9481884,"projectId":10070343,"letterContent":"Your generosity has officially turned our classroom into a high-functioning engineering lab. When the materials first arrived, the room was buzzing with excitement; my students were stunned that \"real\" professional equipment was being delivered specifically for them. \r\nThe impact was immediate. In our recent \"Cell phone Stand project\", the precision of the new tools allowed students to move past the frustration of jagged cuts and uneven joints. This project has shifted our classroom culture from one of \"making do\" to one of excellence and iteration.\r\nMoving forward, our young engineers are diving into the Kinetic Sculpture Project, where they will design and build complex moving gears. Because of you, my students now have the confidence and the resources to tackle these advanced mechanical concepts. We are no longer just dreaming about the future, we are building it, one precise cut at a time.","fullyFundedDate":1771603095150,"projectUrl":"project/engineering-the-future-one-cut-at-a-tim/10070343/","projectTitle":"Engineering the Future: One Cut at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kamiya","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9481884"},{"teacherId":10438241,"projectId":10107632,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our project. Because of the support from the Donors Choose community, we now have supplies that will allow us to create meaningful, hands on incentives for our students. This technology opens the door for them to design, build and take home items that celebrate their hard work and growth.\r\n\r\nYour contribution doesn't just provide materials-it fuels excitement, creativity and a sense of accomplishment. We're deeply grateful for your belief in our students.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMs. Palimoo","fullyFundedDate":1771660060187,"projectUrl":"project/3d-printed-incentives/10107632/","projectTitle":"3D-Printed Incentives","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Palimoo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10438241"},{"teacherId":9481884,"projectId":9984207,"letterContent":"The arrival of our new classroom essentials was a total game-changer! When the students first saw the sturdy new staplers, sharp scissors, and fresh packs of popsicle sticks, there was a collective sigh of relief. One student joked, \"Wait, the stapler actually works on the first try?\" The frustration of struggling with broken equipment vanished instantly, replaced by an energized focus on their work. But the biggest cheers were reserved for the new game boards; the sight of the high-quality Chess, Checkers, and Tic-Tac-Toe sets sparked an immediate wave of friendly competition and excitement.\r\n\r\nWe put these resources to work right away during our Structural Engineering Challenge. Using the new popsicle sticks and upgraded tools, students worked in teams to design and build weight-bearing bridges. In a standout moment, two students who rarely collaborate spent an entire hour huddled over a bridge design, using the new scissors to precisely trim their supports. While they worked, other students engaged in a \"Tournament of Brains\" with the new board games. Watching a group of students teach their peers the strategic moves of Chess—while their classmates tested the load-bearing capacity of their bridges nearby—was a beautiful snapshot of a truly collaborative, multi-dimensional learning environment.\r\n\r\nNow that we have the right tools, we are moving into the \"Optimization\" phase of our current projects. Here is what is on the horizon:\r\nThe Great Bridge Test: Next week, we will be testing our popsicle-stick bridges to the breaking point by adding weights to see whose design is the most structurally sound.\r\n\r\nClassroom Gallery: Students are using the new staplers and supplies to curate a wall of their best engineering blueprints and game-winning strategies.\r\n\r\nYour generosity didn't just replace broken supplies; it removed the daily barriers to our students' creativity. Thank you for giving them the tools they need to build, think, and succeed!","fullyFundedDate":1768587464860,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-success/9984207/","projectTitle":"Tools for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kamiya","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9481884"},{"teacherId":9967899,"projectId":9754261,"letterContent":"The arrival of our new charging towers, HDMI cables, and 3D printer spools has sparked an immediate shift in the energy and productivity of our classroom at Kalakaua Middle School. When the students first saw the materials, there was a genuine sense of excitement and \"pro-level\" validation; one student even remarked that our space finally looked like a \"real-world tech hub.\" The charging towers have become the heartbeat of our station management, ensuring that every laptop and tablet is powered up and ready for competitive play without the previous chaos of tangled cords and dead batteries. Meanwhile, the HDMI cables have allowed us to create a \"Caster Station,\" where students can project their gameplay live to the rest of the class for real-time analysis and shout casting, turning every practice session into a collaborative, high-stakes learning event.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next steps involve a student-led \"Tech Integration Audit.\" Now that we have the reliable power and connectivity provided by your donations, students are tasked with optimizing our stream quality for an upcoming intramural tournament. They will be using the HDMI cables to set up multi-monitor displays for our coaching staff and utilizing the 3D printer to create custom trophies for the winners. Your generosity hasn't just provided supplies; it has given our students the professional environment they need to take ownership of their learning and represent Kalakaua Middle with pride.","fullyFundedDate":1767118377622,"projectUrl":"project/support-our-students-creative-learning/9754261/","projectTitle":"Support Our Students’ Creative Learning Space","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9967899_orig.png?crop=115,115,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742423939718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9967899"},{"teacherId":3392344,"projectId":10083684,"letterContent":"Thank you again for supporting my project to obtain a mini ipad for the classroom. Since receiving and subsequent use of the mini ipad, it has enhanced my students learning experience. As a means to review and teach social studies lessons, I incorporate different games as part of my curriculum. I call it Game Time. The mini iPad has allowed me to walk the room and interact with my students better. This is turn has provided a more lively and engaging atmosphere within the classroom. It has also flipped a switched with those who typically seem uninterested in social studies.\r\n\r\nThanks again for your generous support!","fullyFundedDate":1770661100523,"projectUrl":"project/the-game-of-learning/10083684/","projectTitle":"The Game of Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ibara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3392344"},{"teacherId":3392344,"projectId":9748907,"letterContent":"Thanks for your generous donation in helping to support me and what I do in the classroom. I appreciate all who are in favor of making a difference in our future generations.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the gift of the computer, my project had taken off. I asked for a computer for the purpose of creating a virtual field trip to the four ancient civilizations to include Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus River, and Chinese civilizations. It took a bit to design and create, but I am very proud of the final product. I have already used the virtual field trip to introduce the Indus River Civilization and will do the same when we head into the Chinese Civilization.\r\n\r\nThanks again for this incredible gift.","fullyFundedDate":1767118377373,"projectUrl":"project/junior-archeologists/9748907/","projectTitle":"Junior Archeologists","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ibara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3392344"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50840","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":900,"numTeachers":63,"percentFrplEligible":65,"percentAsian":63,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":23,"percentMultiracialImputed":8,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.8,"schoolId":50840,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about King David Kalakaua Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"King David Kalakaua Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/honolulu-school-district/kalakaua-middle-school/50840"}
Join the 178 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
King David Kalakaua Middle School is
an urban public school
in Honolulu, Hawaii that is part of Honolulu School District.
It serves 900 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.3:1.
Its teachers have had 142 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 6 - 8
900 Students
63 Teachers
821 Kalihi StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
Share and help support King David Kalakaua Middle School
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
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
67%
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.
King David Kalakaua Middle 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.
King David Kalakaua Middle School
$99,574
raised using DonorsChoose
142
projects
funded
50
teachers
funded
178
donors
19
projects
for
basic supplies
27
projects for
technology
6
projects for
books
13
projects
for
art supplies
King David Kalakaua Middle School has received support from
110 individuals from Hawaii and
68 individuals out-of-state.