Great school and environment. The students and faculty made our family feel very welcomed.read more

Damien Memorial High School is named in honor of the recent canonized saint, Father Damien better…read moreknown as Father Damien of Molokai, SS.CC. or Father Damien de Veuster of Belgium. He was best known for his work in living and working with the people on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. There are many memorials, statues, and places honoring St. Damien de Veuster of Belgium and Molokai. Damien Memorial High School is one of these places honoring this brave priest. This was an all boys high school when I paid a personal visit at the time, I understand Damien Memorial High School has since gone co-ed. Some are happy about it, some are not as it changes the dynamic of the school. About twenty so years ago, I met a member of the alumni who graduated, oh about 35 or more years ago. He went on to perform in opera and musical theatre. I met him when he was in one of the national tours of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. He was portraying the title role, he was filling in for the principal actor who was on holiday. When he came out of the stage door, he was very surprised to see so many people who wanted a piece of him--translation: an autograph and a picture with him. When I saw him, I thought to myself, "Hello!" Oh yes, I developed quite an immediate crush on him. Right there on the spot! He was tall, dark, and oh so very handsome. I was not the only one. I was with a friend who was old enough to be his mother. She was swooning over him. And I am sure the other women in the crowd were too. While he was signing autographs, we were discussing his Anglo/Hawaiian name. He did not look at me during the conversation as he was signing autographs, he was surprised somebody in this crowd knew the meaning of his name. When we did see each other, it was one of those foggy slow motion moments where it was just him and me, everyone and everything else was fog. Out of respect for this man, I am not going to say his name. He is quite private for one and two, I got to meet him again some time after that first meeting. Awkward. It was quite an awkward and embarrassing moment seeing him again. It is never as good as the first time, to paraphrase the 1985 Sade song. C'est la vie, as Robbie Nevill sang in 1986. I had quite the textbook crush on this guy though. I was surprised to learn we kind of grew up in similar circumstances. I graduated from a Catholic all-girls school while he graduated from a Catholic all boys school. I wanted to visit his high school alma mater since I was in the area. Damien Memorial High School reminded me of the schools in the Philippine Islands: cement fences surrounding a cement building with iron metal fences and gates in-between. Sliding gates and doors with regular hinged doors. It was quite airy walking around the premises. What caught my eye was a little blue eggshell chapel in the courtyard. It was quite lovely and quaint. I thought to myself, "Wow! I would love to get married in a chapel like that." Wow, what a strange thought that crossed my mind. I bet many alumni married their brides in the blue eggshell chapel though. I stopped by the library and told them why I was here. I wanted to see this guy's high school yearbook and picture. They did not have the yearbooks in the library. The librarian knew where they were: in the principal's office. So she escorted me to the principal's office. The principal was in the process of packing up his office as he was being transferred to another assignment. And it turned out the principal was once this guy's guidance counselor back in the day. Wow. I got to see the picture as I wanted. And that was that, I thanked him for his time and understanding; the librarian and I left his office so he could carry on and she helped me find my way out. I thanked her her for her time, patience, and understanding with me as well. My one regret was not visiting the blue eggshell chapel to say a prayer for him during my visit at Damien Memorial High School . . . oh well. I would like to believe St. Damien is proud of this particular alumni member of his namesake high school. Fresh Yelp Review #64 for 2013

This school is okay. It isn't the best because of a lot of fights happening. But over all the…read moreteachers help students if anything is needed from them, and make learning feel more comfortable especially because there is a lot of good courses given to the students like avid, cooking, etc

The school is a very honest school, its very easy to walk in and staff are very nice 6th graders…read moreare very nice but some 7th or 8th grader are sometime weird and mean.

I just attended the Kaimuki vs PAC-Five football game at the Governor's home field and I want to…read moregive a five star review to the staff and especially the students who made the visiting spectators feel at home. From the girls who were assisting people with parking their vehicles, to the nice lady driving the golf cart who picked my wife and I up and gave us a lift to the stadium (I just had kidney stone surgery a couple of days prior and it was like she read my mind), to the greeters who welcomed us into the gates, everyone was fantastic. I never felt more welcome at any stadium anywhere. Keep up the great work Governors!!!

Last Saturday was the first time I've attended a FHS graduation service. To see local middle school…read moreteachers, elementary school teachers, state members, high school counselors, and teacher at the graduation, touched my heart. It was exciting to see the amount of school spirit and pride. There were 17 valedictorians. That's amazing and so proud of the c/o 2018. I came from a small private school and seeing a large student body and supporting families warms my heart. The community had a lot of pride as well. Many of the families went to Farrington as well. The school is slowly being renovated which is very overdue. The auditorium was updated several years ago and I hear that the gym is next. I'm glad to see that the all school are being renovated. It's much deserved.

Thankyou Kamehameha Schools Kapalama for hosting the ILH cheering Championships tonite, 10/30/2025…read more Convenient ticket sales on line made entry fast and easy once doors opened. There was a gorgeous full rainbow and a blessing of a light drizzle on our way and while waiting to enter. Beautiful Senior walk and congratulations to seniors and their families with verbal recognition to their parents. Big congratulations to all the participating schools' cheer squads and coaches. Very special for Iolani to place first in all 3 divisions- now that's a fantastic Treat, the evening before Halloween. Glad a couple food booths were available for purchase for those who were hungry. Good sound system, ceiling fans were operating but it was very hot most of the 3 hour competition. Results were ready after the senior walk. November 12@ Blaisdell - state championship.

This is a private school and you need to have Hawaiian blood to be a student here. If you get to…read morethe top of the campus you'll get a great view of the city. There's a guard station at the base of the school. You'll need a legit reason to get on to the campus or they won't let you up. This campus is massive. It's preschool through 12th grade. They even have dorms on campus. The campus is clean and beautiful. I wouldn't want to trek this place by foot as the roads curve up and down. Imagine the workout!

The staff and faculty are very supportive and professional, they have lots of amazing activities…read morefor the students to enjoy and engage with others. They have lots to offer in learning academics and non academic activities too.

Teachers are caring and well trained to guide your children. Close knit school with with your child…read moremaking life long friends. Tuition is affordable also.

WAY BACK THEN.. This…read moreis based on my experience at Likelike Elementary when I was attending there approximately 18 years ago. When I looked back at how I was thought at Likelike in comparison to my friends who went to other Kalihi Schools, I felt like I came from a better educated elementary school. LOCATION The school is in the lower central area of Kalihi, but it is right near the Palama Off-ramp and Vineyard off-ramp/ on-ramp for easy commuting. It would be easy for parents to get on or off the freeway to get onto the school campus. The campus is much secured with a very tall fence shrouding its whole perimeter. There are also the JPO and adults guarding all entrances to the campus before and after school. During school hours the fences are locked shut so keep everyone safe. The parking lot entrance is still open, but it is far from the students so that no one would run away. STAFF The staff was great. The admin were diverse in race and easy to talk to. I visit the school from time to time to pick up my younger siblings. The vibe of the staff hasn't changed. Everyone is welcoming and friendly. As for the teachers, I had some every strict teacher and some are still there. Students like me hated those teachers back in school, but now that I look back on it, they were the only ones I remembered and the only ones I learned from. I believe the strict teachers here were not mean, but made you work hard. I learned a lot from these teachers and have turned out well due to their routines and habits they forced me to do when I was little. EDUCATION While I was there, I thought I learned everything I need to learn as an elementary student plus more. When comparing the knowledge I learned in elementary to the ones my friends learned, I knew more. I memorized a lot of American history facts, the constitution, all states, capitals, very spot on the map of each state, learned all the major seas, contents and a lot more. Many of my teachers in middle school were surprised. Also, there were a lot of extra help classes available. I was a very hyper student so I had a one-on-one guidance counselor that would help me settle down during reading time and taught me what I needed to learn in a way I would understand. There were also accelerated reading programs for students who were more advanced and ESLL for student who needed help reading. I loved how Likelike Elementary prepared me for life. I would send my kids here. It is a public school with staff and help like a private school.

We went to see a performance of a hula performance and was amazed by the Moanalua High School…read moreperforming Arts Center it is fabulous and well designed. The seats and the set up and sound handled by the students was amazing, it is top notch. The view from any where you sit. They had handicapped access and seating area and the restroom were well kept and clean. Parking lot, lots of parking available

Five stars for the Epic Sport of USA WRESTLING! A HUGE SHOUT…read moreOUT to the Coaches, Wrestlers, Officials, Tournament directors & Table Volunteers that make USA HAWAII WRESTLING a great event with that ALOHA SPORTSMANSHIP & Pin to Win High Altitude Greco throws! The cream of the Islands are here today, vigorously striving for that victorious win that will qualify them for the USA Wrestling National Tournament in the mainland. I'm excited to see the young generation of wrestlers learning to Officiate as well. Love this sport! Love these Hawaiian wrestling enthusiasts in attendance! Aloha Saturday!

This school has great historical references and aesthetics! When you enter the front office, they…read morehave a welcoming staff and a historic picture of the school from years ago. It is adjacent to the city park with large grassy field, baseball area and basketball area. The school had an improved rating from a "c" to a "b" as seen in the Honolulu magazine. Through word of mouth through the coconut hotline, Kawananakoa is the school you want to go to if you want to continue in a private school in the future. I am very pleased to say, this school is quite an educational place to be!

Blood donation at Moanalua Middle School's Library in Honolulu, Hawaii!…read more Our own Traci T., an Elite member of Yelp Hawaii, has been coordinating special blood drives to benefit the residents of the 50th State. Today, "Hope For The Holidays" was held in the Library of Moanalua Middle School. I just followed the signs and found the location easily. The parking lot was free, clean, and spacious! The interior of the Library was large enough to hold several portable beds for donors to comfortably lie down. The interview/screening area was blocked off to provide privacy. The registration table was across from the snack table and cooler filled with cold drinks. There were a few tables near the snack table for donors to complete their intake forms. Thank you for great air-conditioning and great lighting! This was a very good choice for a blood drive s8nce everything was planned well - probably by Traci T. The process for each donor flowed smoothly!

Let me start with a couple of positives. Positive #1 is Mr. Orsatti in special ed and the wrestling…read morecoach. He totally understood my boy. He enjoyed learning from him immensely. He learned to use a power drill and about cars. He was great and he communicated with me on the regular. Any concerns I had, I ran through him. He even accredited him with preparing him for his 9th grade English class as he is doing exceptional in (not his resource teacher for English). Positive #2 is Ms. Leilani, my son's educational assistant (his 2nd). She was only from December through the end of his 8th grade year, but oh boy, she made a tremendous impact on him. She gave him the space to grow and learn to maneuver through social adolescent interaction. My son just adored her and Moanalua middle would be losing an asset when she leaves. These two are the soul reasons, my son had any sort of fun and positive/normal experiences in middle school. These 2 earned the star. Now, I have been biting my tongue for months but I won't post this til we are all the way off island for fear that Principal Moss may hunt us down for this. Now, just a little background on my son but he started off at Red Hill Elementary and it was hard times getting adjusted moving to 4 different schools during 5th grade going from CA to the UK and eventually landing on Hawaii. He had diagnosed ADHD only. So the principal at Red Hill had history with him. When he graduated, she took over Moanalua Middle School. I will on say this just ONCE, but I should've listened to my husband who said maybe changing schools would be better. I simply thought having a continuity of care would be better as they already know him but instead hindered him from getting proper education. In 7th grade, he was on medication and diagnosed with level 1 autism. My son is super smart and can do the work. He has been off and on honor roll and does have certificates in academic achievement. He has had off and on suspensions as well. So please, I am not excusing any of his behavior but halfway toward the end of his 8th grade year, I felt that he was on the principals hit list because of his history with her. He absolutely abhorred his 1st EA Mr. Andy, He was on top of his every movement so much so he was virtually breathing down his neck. Every wrong doing he would be given point off and they had it so he had to be good 80 percent of the time. How is that a realistic expectation for a 13 year old boy? He would even get in trouble for delivering a note to the kids he felt wronged him by asking them to tell Principal Moss the truth so he can finally go out to recess. He was in all resource classes which gave him no homework. He is smarter than that so after school he would read and summarize. He had 3 science teachers during his 8th grade year. During the last month in his English class, he either watched a movie or did other work not pertaining to English Language Arts. All in all, I think he could've handled more than he was given credit for. Let me not forget to mention that he got no recess for 7 months in 8th grade and any thing kids snitched on for they believed even though they were from kids and no substantial proof but hearsay in my opinion. He has been in his new high school for 2 months now with not a peep from the principal or any teacher, he has made lots of friends, he loves all his classes and is striving to get into AP science, he is doing baseball and wrestling, and has expressed interest in a service academy after graduation. He is doing fabulous. I think if you are good % of the time and are a teachers pet, you are good as gold but other than that better watch out, you'll be blacklisted and good luck getting the education you are entitled to. So glad we are outta there. Hope to never hear from you again.