{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kalihi Kai Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7929898,"projectId":9772007,"letterContent":"Our class has been so excited to use the new resources! The toys for our classroom store have already become a big part of our weekly routines. Students are practicing real-world math skills—earning, saving, and \"purchasing\" items—which has made our lessons feel more meaningful and fun. The games have also been wonderful for our classroom breaks; they've helped students build cooperation, problem-solving skills, and positive social interactions.\r\n\r\nThe practical supplies, like soap and Kleenex, came at the perfect time. With so many students battling seasonal sniffles, it has helped us keep everyone healthy and comfortable. And the binding machine has opened up new possibilities—we've already used it to create personalized workbooks and social stories tailored to students' individual needs.","fullyFundedDate":1759420889688,"projectUrl":"project/staying-healthy-and-motivated/9772007/","projectTitle":"Staying Healthy And Motivated!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tiffin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7929898_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627583972199","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7929898"},{"teacherId":8823624,"projectId":9774354,"letterContent":"My students enjoy sensory items because they help soothe them when they are feeling overstimulated. In addition, these items allow them to express their feelings of distress through creativity. For example, many of my kiddos use Play-Doh to create characters and act out real-life scenarios when they are upset. Through this creative play, they are learning how to self-soothe by finding an alternative outlet for their emotions.\r\n\r\nMy next step is to have my students find many other ways to express themselves in healthier ways. To do this, I will keep finding many sensory items that I think could benefit them.","fullyFundedDate":1759416695379,"projectUrl":"project/learning-beyond-the-classroom-supportin/9774354/","projectTitle":"Learning Beyond the Classroom: Supporting Academic and Emotional Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Guieb Jr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8823624_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742194280381","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8823624"},{"teacherId":7409421,"projectId":9587748,"letterContent":"Our Genius Hour projects have truly come alive thanks to you. Students are baking in their new aprons, sewing their first tote bags and bookmarks, and creating custom buttons that they proudly trade with classmates. \r\n When they saw the materials, the whole room lit up. There were gasps, cheers, and so many excited ideas being shouted at once. For many students, it was the first time they felt they had the tools to bring their passions to life.\r\n Your generosity didn't just provide supplies, it opened doors, built confidence, and gave my students the freedom to explore what they love.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this kind of learning possible.","fullyFundedDate":1759194137829,"projectUrl":"project/find-your-passion-through-genius-hour/9587748/","projectTitle":"Find Your Passion Through Genius Hour","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. MacKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7409421_orig.jpg?crop=2700,2700,x0,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646765003064","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7409421"},{"teacherId":8975002,"projectId":9167060,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support with our Literacy Nook for Littles! \r\n\r\nMy students LOVE exploring their \"just right\" Bob's Books decodables and Mo Willems storybooks in their new reading center. Stories come alive with the storybook characters and puppets! And the bookshelf is a cozy and accessible way for the students to access their literacy resources and incentives. The nook is the perfect setting for small group literacy instruction, and we have been using it three times a week.\r\n\r\nMy students and I are so grateful for your support with this project. We appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1742082780697,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-nook-for-littles/9167060/","projectTitle":"Literacy Nook for Littles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Iwasaki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8975002"},{"teacherId":7492792,"projectId":9154923,"letterContent":"Your generosity has made a difference in the lives of my students and we want to share the incredible impact you've made on them. Thanks to you, students have had the chance to explore their passions and discover new interests.\r\n\r\nOur classrooms have become hubs of creativity. Students have been able to use new paints and canvases to express themselves through various art mediums, creating beautiful works of art and exploring their inner artists. Others have channeled their creativity into jewelry making, designing unique pieces by creating different patterns. \r\n\r\nOur library has been stocked with a diverse range of new books, giving students the chance to discover new authors, genres, and ideas.\r\n\r\nThese opportunities are more than just activities, they are a chance for our students to build confidence, find new talents, and develop a lifelong love for learning. None of this would be possible without your support.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping me shape the these creative learners!","fullyFundedDate":1741734183587,"projectUrl":"project/ignite-your-passion-unleash-your-creat/9154923/","projectTitle":"Ignite Your Passion, Unleash Your Creativity!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kuwamura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7492792"},{"teacherId":7907784,"projectId":9163557,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support of Hands-On Learning: Task Boxes for Engagement and Growth. Your generosity is making a profound difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our students will have access to high-quality, engaging task boxes that are designed to spark curiosity, strengthen skills, and nurture their confidence. These resources are already proving to be incredibly valuable, both during group and individual activities. The students benefit so much from having clear, hands-on materials that help them practice important academic and social skills in meaningful, fun, and motivating ways.\r\n\r\nDuring our center rotations, the task boxes offer opportunities for students to work independently, reinforcing their skills at their own pace while building their sense of accomplishment. In group activities, they encourage collaboration, communication, and teamwork, allowing the students to learn from one another and support each other's growth. These tools have become essential parts of our routines, creating a rich learning environment where every student can succeed.\r\n\r\nYour support goes far beyond supplies — you are helping to build a foundation of confidence and joy in learning for each of our students. We truly could not do this without you, and we are so grateful for your investment in their future.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and in the power of hands-on learning.","fullyFundedDate":1742046386349,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-task-boxes-for-engage/9163557/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning: Task Boxes for Engagement and Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Peria","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7907784"},{"teacherId":8369308,"projectId":9168404,"letterContent":"Genius Hour went immensely well & thanks to generous donations from the Hawaii State Department of Education as well as Marc & Lynne Benioff, our 5th graders had a blast! They were able to enjoy so many different experiences that could never have been accomplished without your help. \r\n\r\nSpecifically in my Genius Hour, Board Games, my students were able to play competitive & cooperative games with their peers while working on learning how to play new games, following rules, playing fairly, being gracious winners & good sports, thinking win-win, & having a lot of fun!\r\n\r\nHaving this trial run with our 5th graders helps us, as a school, to see how the process operates & now we just need to tweak it & generalize it for the rest of our students. I'm so looking forward to more Genius Hour experiences with our kiddos & I can't wait for them to spread their wings, expand their horizons, & maybe even find a new passion or talent!\r\n\r\nMahalo!!!","fullyFundedDate":1742094000247,"projectUrl":"project/genius-hour/9168404/","projectTitle":"Genius Hour","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Preston","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8369308_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y161&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659654528123","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8369308"},{"teacherId":9968018,"projectId":9167402,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your incredibly thoughtful and generous donation to our classroom project. Your support means more than you can imagine—not just to me as a teacher, but to each and every one of my first-grade students. Knowing that someone outside our school community believes in our work and wants to invest in our learning journey is both uplifting and inspiring.\r\n\r\nThe resources you helped fund—a color printer and laminating sheets—may seem like simple tools, but their impact will be powerful and lasting. These materials will allow me to capture and preserve special moments, student accomplishments, and meaningful classroom experiences. In a world where everything moves so fast, being able to pause, print, and preserve a memory means everything—especially for young children learning to see themselves as capable, valued individuals.\r\n\r\nMy students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with many facing financial and personal challenges that can make school one of the few consistent, safe spaces in their lives. Despite these obstacles, they come to class each day with bright smiles, curiosity, and a desire to learn. They inspire me daily, and I work hard to ensure our classroom is a place where they feel seen, heard, and celebrated.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, I'll be able to create personalized memory lei for each student—a keepsake that includes photographs, samples of their writing, artwork, and snapshots of special moments from the year. This memory lei will serve as tangible reminders of everything they've accomplished, the friendships they've made, and the joy they experienced in first grade. For many of my students, this may be one of the few mementos they have from their early school years. I truly believe that seeing their work and pictures in print will fill them with pride and boost their confidence—not just now, but in the years to come.\r\n\r\nBeyond memory lei, the printer and laminating materials will help me make learning more engaging and accessible. I can create colorful visual aids, interactive learning tools, and laminated resources that withstand daily classroom use. This is especially important in a primary-grade setting where hands-on, durable materials make a big difference in helping students learn and stay engaged. Your donation supports not only the creation of memories but also daily learning experiences that are richer and more interactive.\r\n\r\nIt is such a gift to be able to say yes to opportunities that make our classroom more vibrant and meaningful. Your support has helped make that possible. You are not just donating supplies—you are helping build a foundation of positive school experiences for children who will carry these memories for the rest of their lives.\r\n\r\nThank you for being part of our story. I promise to make the most of your gift and to share the joy it brings to our students. I'll be posting photos and updates so you can see the impact of your generosity in action.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in us.","fullyFundedDate":1742093935116,"projectUrl":"project/picture-perfect-memories-preserving-fir/9167402/","projectTitle":"Picture-Perfect Memories: Preserving First-Grade Journeys","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vea","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9968018"},{"teacherId":7929898,"projectId":9158821,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that allowed our class to purchase a Cricut machine and supplies to make stickers. Your support brought a wave of excitement and creativity into our classroom! The moment we unboxed the Cricut, my students were buzzing with ideas and couldn't wait to get started. It was incredible to see their faces light up as they watched their designs come to life—printed, cut, and ready to use. For many of them, it was their first time experiencing a tool like this, and it opened up a whole new world of hands-on learning and expression.\r\n\r\nThis project has been more than just fun; it's been a meaningful opportunity for my students to build confidence, practice fine motor skills, and express their individuality. The Cricut has quickly become a favorite classroom tool, and we're already brainstorming new projects to keep the creativity flowing. Thank you for making this experience possible—you've made a real difference in our classroom, and we are truly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1741965765014,"projectUrl":"project/shark-tank-creating-a-sticker-business/9158821/","projectTitle":"Shark Tank - Creating a Sticker Business","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tiffin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7929898_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627583972199","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7929898"},{"teacherId":9966784,"projectId":9157072,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in helping my students learn more about the world around them!\r\n\r\nWe kicked off our unit by exploring various types of maps and identifying the unique characteristics of each one. When I told the students they'd be creating their own maps, they were absolutely thrilled! As an arts integration school, we value hands-on, creative learning opportunities, and this project gave them just that.\r\n\r\nUsing the Cricut, I was able to cut out simple map grids to represent roads. After gluing these onto blank sheets of paper, each student received cutouts of mountains, a city, and a pond to build their own unique neighborhood maps. They also had the opportunity to fill in extra details—like playgrounds, schools, and libraries—allowing their imaginations to shine.\r\n\r\nAfter our exploration of maps, we expanded our focus to learning about the Earth. We are incredibly grateful for the new class globe you provided! My previous one had broken, so this gift truly is a blessing. The students were fascinated to see the Earth's shape and to explore the continents, oceans, and landforms. They were especially amazed at how small our island is in comparison to the rest of the world!\r\n\r\nOur conversations naturally evolved into discussions about how people, animals, and natural forces have shaped the Earth—both positively and negatively. The students came up with thoughtful ideas about how we can help protect our planet through recycling, proper waste disposal, and more.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, I'm excited to continue this unit by using the Cricut to create different types of habitats. Students will identify each habitat and brainstorm what kinds of animals and plants live there, while discussing ways to keep these environments safe and healthy for all living things.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and generosity. You've helped make learning more engaging, meaningful, and inspiring for every student in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1741882057334,"projectUrl":"project/learn-about-our-world-and-how-to-save-it/9157072/","projectTitle":"Learn About our World and How to Save It","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fukuda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9966784"},{"teacherId":7409421,"projectId":9154760,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous donation of supplies for our buddy activities between my 5th graders and their 1st grade buddies. Your contributions, from canvases and paint to jewelry-making materials, books, clipboards, picture frames, ribbon. These items provided us with everything we needed to create meaningful, hands-on experiences for the students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students were able to form strong, supportive connections with their younger buddies while engaging in creative and collaborative projects. Whether they were painting, making friendship bracelets, or crafting leis, the joy and excitement in the classroom was truly heartwarming. These moments of mentorship and friendship were incredibly special, and I'm so grateful to you for making them possible.","fullyFundedDate":1741718097103,"projectUrl":"project/hi-there-buddy/9154760/","projectTitle":"Hi there, buddy!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. MacKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7409421_orig.jpg?crop=2700,2700,x0,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646765003064","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7409421"},{"teacherId":8391879,"projectId":9167004,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to my elementary music classroom. The materials you helped provide have made such a difference already. From visual aids to hands-on learning tools, everything has helped me create a more organized, exciting, and engaging space for my students. These resources have brought a fresh energy into the room, and I've loved watching my students light up as they explore new concepts in music.\r\n\r\nThe visual materials especially have been a game changer. Things like laminated charts and printed rhythm cards have made it easier for students to understand things like note values, beats, and patterns. Having those tools available means I can reach more learners in different ways—whether they learn best by seeing, hearing, or doing. It's also made transitions between activities smoother, which keeps the momentum going and helps everyone stay focused and involved.\r\n\r\nMore than anything, your support has helped create a space where students feel inspired to try new things and express themselves through music. They're more confident, more curious, and more eager to participate. Thank you for helping me make music education something they look forward to each day. Your kindness truly makes a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1742075855468,"projectUrl":"project/let-the-music-ring-for-all-to-hear/9167004/","projectTitle":"Let the Music Ring for All to Hear!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ornellas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8391879_orig.jpg?crop=2654,2653,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708627718179","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8391879"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50843","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":533,"numTeachers":41,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":70,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.0,"schoolId":50843,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kalihi Kai Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kalihi Kai Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/honolulu-school-district/kalihi-kai-elementary-school/50843"}
Join the 160 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Kalihi Kai Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Honolulu, Hawaii that is part of Honolulu School District.
It serves 533 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.0:1.
Its teachers have had 134 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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
74%
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 Kai 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.
Kalihi Kai Elementary School
$93,520
raised using DonorsChoose
134
projects
funded
46
teachers
funded
160
donors
10
projects
for
basic supplies
20
projects for
technology
13
projects for
books
18
projects
for
art supplies
Kalihi Kai Elementary School has received support from
104 individuals from Hawaii and
56 individuals out-of-state.