{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":46.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9428763,"projectId":10103138,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Help Us Stay Focused, Healthy, and Equipped for Success.\" Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom every single day.\r\n\r\nSince receiving these resources, my students have been able to stay more focused, comfortable, and engaged in their learning. The snacks have been especially impactful—students are able to grab something when they need it, which has helped improve concentration and reduce distractions. I've also used the snacks as positive incentives, and it has been amazing to see how motivated students are to stay on task and make good choices. One memorable moment was during a recent lesson when students were working independently on a challenging activity; having both the incentive and the ability to stay focused made a noticeable difference in their perseverance and confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were genuinely excited and grateful. They immediately noticed the difference—not just in having snacks available, but also in how clean and organized our classroom felt with the new supplies. It created a sense of pride and ownership in our space, and students have been more mindful about keeping it that way.\r\n\r\nThe classroom technology tools have also made instruction smoother and more efficient. Transitions between activities are quicker, and I'm able to present lessons more clearly, which keeps students engaged and maximizes our learning time.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, my students are continuing to build on these positive routines. We are currently working on strengthening independent learning skills and goal-setting, and these resources are helping support that growth. Students are more motivated, more focused, and more confident in their ability to succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in my students and helping create a classroom environment where they feel supported, prepared, and ready to learn. Your kindness truly makes a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1771604515305,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-stay-focused-healthy-and-equip/10103138/","projectTitle":"Help Us Stay Focused, Healthy, and Equipped for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Avila","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9428763_orig.jpg?crop=959,959,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704934430354","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9428763"},{"teacherId":3167239,"projectId":10103370,"letterContent":"My students have been enjoying the nutritious snacks so generously donated. The snacks have served as wonderful motivation when completing learning tasks. Students who often come to school without snacks at recess time have also benefitted. \r\n\r\nIn the past, students would often struggle to learn when hunger was on their mind. It became a barrier to their learning. Thankfully, with the help of you all, this hasn't been the case this school year. It has been a wonderful thing to witness. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for all the love shown to my students.","fullyFundedDate":1771440088582,"projectUrl":"project/brain-fuel/10103370/","projectTitle":"Brain Fuel","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Motosue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3167239_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y645&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709064485208","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3167239"},{"teacherId":2681562,"projectId":10106267,"letterContent":"These items have been great for helping my students and I with a few projects, and they will continue to impact us positively in the years to come! While we haven't had a chance to use the vertical whiteboard to its full potential yet, the paper cutter has been busy creating the covers and labels for multiple projects. Our school recently opened a time capsule that was buried 25 years ago and we used the paper cutter to make all of the display signage, which wouldn't have looked as nice if we had to cut it by hand. Eventually, the whiteboard will be used to implement strategies from Building Thinking Classrooms, which is an instructional approach that our school is adopting next year for all core classes.\r\n\r\nThe plastic drawers and bins have also been really crucial to us all getting more organized! Our pens, colored pencils, scissors, highlighters, and glue sticks all have their own designated drawer now, clearly labeled (thanks paper cutter) so that materials are more likely to make it back to where they came from.\r\n\r\nMahalo nui loa!","fullyFundedDate":1771634838803,"projectUrl":"project/smooth-transitions-into-a-welcoming-spac/10106267/","projectTitle":"Smooth Transitions into a Welcoming Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kern","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2681562_orig.jpg?crop=966,966,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598747122906","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2681562"},{"teacherId":8826146,"projectId":10103588,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping and understanding that my students start to learn when their emotional needs are met. The weighted blankets, lap pads, rewards, and items just to give them an area to call their own is the first step to opening the world for our keiki and you have done that by supporting them and giving them these supplies. \r\nMy students are brilliant, creative, and will be the leaders of the world someday, and it begins here, on our tiny little island. You have impacted their lives in ways they don't even understand yet, but their paths are brighter because of you.","fullyFundedDate":1771439363418,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-sensory-students-feel-safe-while/10103588/","projectTitle":"Help My Sensory Students Feel Safe While They Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Abe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8826146_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738051421736","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826146"},{"teacherId":7497531,"projectId":10105943,"letterContent":"On behalf of my 8th grade students at at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, I am writing to express our sincere gratitude for your generous donation of the rolling business chairs for our 8th-grade inclusion classroom.\r\n\r\nIn an inclusion setting, creating an environment that supports diverse learning needs is vital. These chairs provide the ergonomic comfort and stability my students need to maintain focus during collaborative lessons and independent work. By ensuring that every student has a supportive seat, you helped us foster a classroom culture where everyone feels comfortable, ready to participate, and empowered to do their best work.\r\n\r\nWhen all of the boxes of rolling chairs arrived in our classroom, my students were shocked! I explained to them that after writing an essay request for the chairs, generous donors wanted to help us out. Not only did this show my students that our community supports their learning, but it also showed them that writing is a practical skill not just used at school, but also in everyday life.\r\n\r\nSince we now have an entire classroom in which every student can sit in a comfortable, rolling business chair, I plan to hold Socratic Seminars about our current novel, Maus, which is a true story about a Holocaust survivor, written in graphic novel form. The Socratic Seminars will help students make connections to current world events and show them how they can become responsible voters in the future. Your business chairs will help to foster a classroom environment in which we can hold these deep and meaningful conversations. Mahalo again for your donation!","fullyFundedDate":1771620222523,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-comfortable-learning-environm/10105943/","projectTitle":"Building a Comfortable Learning Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Goodrich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7497531_orig.jpg?crop=1121,1121,x0,y44&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627981911775","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7497531"},{"teacherId":10438084,"projectId":10106510,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous donation of our bocce ball, cornhole, croquet, and horseshoe sets, along with the vibrant pens and paper for our records. These aren't just lawn games; they have become essential tools for our classroom.\r\n\r\nIt has been a joy to watch my students step away from their Chromebooks and collaborate in the fresh air. We've turned our field into a geometry lab—specifically using the croquet wickets to visualize acute and obtuse angles. Beyond geometry, the students are mastering the art of adding and subtracting positive and negative integers as they track their scores. Seeing them apply complex math skills to a friendly competition has been the highlight of our semester. Thank you for making math \"real\" for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1771624152779,"projectUrl":"project/building-social-skills/10106510/","projectTitle":"Building Social Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Di","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10438084"},{"teacherId":9243891,"projectId":10103091,"letterContent":"On behalf of myself and my students and , I want to express my deepest gratitude for your overwhelming generosity. Your contributions have truly transformed our classroom into a functional, professional space where our young chefs can thrive.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we were able to purchase much-needed extra shelving and a robust supply of storage bags. While these might seem like simple supplies, they were the \"missing ingredients\" we needed to keep our kitchen organized, safe, and ready for action.\r\n\r\nA First-Lab Success Story\r\nThanks to you, we successfully completed our first \"Fried Rice\" Cooking Lab this semester! Having the proper storage and organization meant we could focus on the skills that matter:\r\n\r\nKnife Skills: Prepping the colorful veggies.\r\n\r\nHeat Control: Achieving that perfect \"wok hei\" (breath of the wok).\r\n\r\nTeamwork: Managing a busy kitchen station efficiently.\r\n\r\nThe energy in the room was electric. The students took immense pride in their creations—and let's just say, there weren't many leftovers!\r\nYou haven't just provided equipment; you've fueled a passion for culinary arts and boosted their confidence in the kitchen.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in these students and for making our culinary dreams a reality. We couldn't have done it without you!","fullyFundedDate":1771439879887,"projectUrl":"project/store-and-clean/10103091/","projectTitle":"Store and Clean","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pacanas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9243891"},{"teacherId":9182868,"projectId":10106594,"letterContent":"My students have been using the new materials to bring abstract math concepts to life through hands-on, collaborative projects. One memorable moment was when students used art supplies and manipulatives to design geometric models, helping them better understand concepts like area, symmetry, and spatial reasoning.\r\n\r\nWhen they first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate—many were eager to explore and create, especially those who typically struggle with traditional instruction. The resources provided meaningful entry points for all learners, allowing them to engage with math in ways that matched their strengths.\r\n\r\nNext, students will build on these experiences by applying their understanding to more complex, real-world problem-solving tasks, continuing to connect creativity with mathematical thinking.","fullyFundedDate":1771620717171,"projectUrl":"project/from-concepts-to-creations-math-in-acti/10106594/","projectTitle":"From Concepts to Creations: Math in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Spencer Margaret Saragena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9182868_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x913,y524&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698730134958","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9182868"},{"teacherId":9182868,"projectId":9711621,"letterContent":"This project has made a big impact on how my students learn and engage with math. The portable monitor helps me model problems clearly, allowing students to see each step and better understand new concepts.\r\n\r\nStudents are especially excited about the boogie boards—they love being able to quickly try, erase, and try again without fear of mistakes. This has increased participation and encouraged a stronger growth mindset.\r\n\r\nI've also seen quieter students become more confident, as these tools give them a comfortable, low-pressure way to share their thinking. Overall, the technology and materials have created a more interactive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for all students.","fullyFundedDate":1758757673989,"projectUrl":"project/from-paper-to-pixels/9711621/","projectTitle":"From Paper to Pixels","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Spencer Margaret Saragena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9182868_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x913,y524&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698730134958","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9182868"},{"teacherId":9182868,"projectId":9558997,"letterContent":"This project has helped my students feel more prepared, organized, and confident in their learning. Simple materials like writing supplies, labels, and cleaning items create a structured environment where students can focus and take pride in their work.\r\n\r\nThe mouse and dongle have also made a big difference in how students use technology. Some of my learners find it much easier to navigate assignments with a mouse, allowing them to work more independently and successfully.\r\n\r\nStudents especially love the stamps and labels—they're excited to see their work recognized and to take ownership of their materials. I've already seen students become more organized, more engaged, and more confident.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting a classroom where every student can feel capable and ready to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1757540055723,"projectUrl":"project/clean-create-and-stay-connected/9558997/","projectTitle":"Clean, Create and Stay Connected","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Spencer Margaret Saragena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9182868_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x913,y524&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698730134958","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9182868"},{"teacherId":3497437,"projectId":10105401,"letterContent":"Thank you so much once again for helping our students show case their creativity! We immediately put these resources to work by supporting a Unity Sticker Design Contest run by another class. We turned the winning designs into high-quality stickers. It was incredible to see the pride on a winner's face when my students handed them the finished version of their art.\r\n\r\nNext, we are setting up a production schedule to help other student groups and teachers print custom labels and spirit stickers. Your generosity gave us a way to serve our school community and see the real-world impact of their work.\r\n\r\nThank you for being the adhesive that helped our school stick together!","fullyFundedDate":1771610508641,"projectUrl":"project/the-sticker-station/10105401/","projectTitle":"The Sticker Station","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Chiba","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3497437_orig.jpg?crop=1364,1364,x0,y140&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1614810581426","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3497437"},{"teacherId":10438164,"projectId":10107182,"letterContent":"The boxes have arrived, and to say my students are thrilled would be an understatement! There is nothing quite like the energy in a classroom when kids get to open up brand-new supplies. The moment they saw the colorful rolls of ribbon and the mountain of miniature plush bears, the room was buzzing with pure excitement.\r\nThey couldn't wait to dive in! We have already started practicing the ribbon rose folds, and my leadership team is already looking at the materials and brainstorming how we can make this project even bigger and better for the school community next year.\r\nYour generosity didn't just give us a fun activity for this week; it sparked a sense of ownership and future planning in these young leaders. They are already seeing themselves as event coordinators and community builders. Thank you for fueling their creativity and showing them that their ideas are worth investing in!","fullyFundedDate":1771660024261,"projectUrl":"project/the-gift-of-gratitude/10107182/","projectTitle":"The Gift of Gratitude","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Estrada","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10438164"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_69801","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":826,"numTeachers":62,"percentFrplEligible":48,"percentAsian":25,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":53.8,"schoolId":69801,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/kapaa-kauai-waimea-school-district/chiefess-kamakahelei-mid-school/69801"}
Join the 262 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School is
a town public school
in Lihue, Hawaii that is part of Kapaa-Kauai-Waimea School District.
It serves 826 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.3:1.
Its teachers have had 319 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
826 Students
62 Teachers
4431 Nuhou StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
45%
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.
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 13, 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.
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
$267,356
raised using DonorsChoose
319
projects
funded
80
teachers
funded
262
donors
41
projects
for
basic supplies
70
projects for
technology
12
projects for
books
25
projects
for
art supplies
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School has received support from
141 individuals from Hawaii and
121 individuals out-of-state.