Our schools • Hokulani Elementary
School's sterling reputation attracts commuting students
By James Gonser
Urban Honolulu Writer
With almost half of Hokulani Elementary's students commuting to school from outside the area, it would be harder to provide a cohesive and diverse education program without strong parent support, according to principal Elmira Fukumoto.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Because of the school's reputation for academic excellence and proximity to the University of Hawai'i, 45 percent of its students live outside Hokulani's geographic boundary but attend under a state exemption program, Fukumoto said.
Hokulani Elementary School sixth-grader Dustin Uyeda plays the bass drum during band practice.
By working with its parent group, Aikane O Hokulani, and writing grant applications, the school has been able to provide many extracurricular programs. It has hired music and physical education teachers and brought in guest lecturers in art, drama, music and science. The 175-member group also raises money for basic needs such as playground equipment and after-school childcare.
Fukumoto said that with students living all over the island, the parents program brings everyone together, and their work helps provide much more than the school would otherwise be able to offer. That gives all students, from special-education preschoolers to the gifted and talented, the opportunity to reach their potential.
"They really make a difference," Fukumoto said of the parents.
All three children of Myrah Kim, who lives outside the area, have attended Hokulani. Kim, parent-community networking center coordinator, said parent involvement is critical for a school and its students to succeed.
"We know that we need to put in more time, effort and money to help our children," Kim said. "The state doesn't have the resources for everything. Parents and grandparents read in classes, work in the office and hold fund-raisers."
Hokulani also looks beyond Hawai'i to inspire students and has a cultural exchange program with Kinki University Elementary in
Osaka, Japan. The exchange began in 1992 when a group of parents and teachers concerned about an ever-shrinking world realized that a global education is necessary for the creation of a peaceful society.
The program is intended to promote mutual understanding among children of different cultures, provide opportunities for children to explore other cultures and create friendships. Each year, fifth-graders are either sent to Japan or come to Hawai'i for a visit.
The trip for this school year, though, could be canceled because of security concerns since Sept. 11, Fukumoto said.
"Safety is our most important concern," Fukumoto said. "We will wait until March to see how things go. If we feel it is safe and the teachers are willing, we will consider it."
- What are you most proud of? The total school community, principal Fukumoto said. "The teachers, students, parents, businesses and public service groups — everyone is working together to make the school a better place."
- Best-kept secret: Hokulani is a quiet school dedicated to being a peaceful place to learn.
- Everybody at our school knows: Leland How, a parent and president of the parent support group, Aikane O Hokulani.
- Our biggest challenge: The lack of parking. "There is no space to add any more parking. The neighbors are very patient with us when parents fill the streets because they want to come in and have breakfast with their children," Fukumoto said.
- What we need: More computers and technology support.
- Projects: To improve science comprehension and instruction, the recipient of a University of Hawai'i fellowship is working on a special project for hands-on learning and developing teachers' science skills.
- Special events: The spring band concert, Science Day and the annual fun run/walk fund-raiser.
| At a glance | |
| • | Where: 2940 Kamakini St., Manoa |
| • | Phone: 733-4789 |
| • | Principal: Elmira Fukumoto, in her third year at the school |
| • | School colors: Blue and gold |
| • | Enrollment: The school has 417 students, a slight decline from the past two years |
| • | SATs: Here's how Hokulani students fared on the most recent Stanford Achievement Test. Listed are the combined percentage of students scoring average and above average, compared with the national combined average of 77 percent. Third-grade reading, 90 percent; math, 88 percent. Fifth-grade reading, 86 percent; math, 95 percent. |
| • | History: The school opened in September 1958, and its name was selected through a contest. The spot where the school stands used to be a Chinese vegetable garden. |
| • | Special features: The school maintains a peace garden to promote peace and world citizenship |
| • | Special classes: Hokulani has self-contained special-education classes for learning-impaired preschoolers, for profoundly retarded elementary school students and for emotionally handicapped elementary school students |
| • | Computers: Computers are in every classroom, and the school has a computer lab and instructor. Sprint recently donated 50 computers to the school. |
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