Momilani, in an older neighborhood, has thrived with students who attend from outside its immediate area — through geographic exceptions — and is now widely considered among the best public schools in Hawai'i.

"It's the relationship we have with parents and the community. We even have grandparents who drop off their children in the morning and then stay and talk story," said Lance Nishihara, a Momilani counselor. "We also have a vision for the children. We always say, 'we can.' I think that if the children always have that in their minds, then they believe they can do it."

The school's test scores remained strong last school year, when 78 percent of third-graders and 90 percent of fifth-graders were proficient in reading and 65 percent of third- and fifth-graders were proficient in math.

Keith Robbins, who owns Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts and has a daughter in the third grade at Momilani, said he believes the school is as strong academically as some private schools, if not stronger. "If you can get your child in there, don't hesitate," he said.

Liholiho Elementary principal Christina Small didn't know for sure that her school had won until a reporter told her yesterday morning. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Iris Salazar, the parent coordinator, and her husband, who went to Liholiho as a child, are still active at the school even though their sixth-grade daughter is now at private school. Salazar said her daughter — who did not attend private school as a kindergartner — excelled at Liholiho.

"It's a small 'ohana," Salazar said. "As parents, we saw the change in her and saw how she grew. We have a strong passion for Liholiho."

Dennis Iwanaga, who works in sales at Papa John's Pizza, is the chairman of the School Community Based Management council. He is leading the transition into a new school community council required at all schools by the state Legislature starting in the 2005-06 school year.

Momilani Elementary School principal Doreen Higa, right, and counselor Lance Nishihara displayed their 2003 banner in the school library, where the banner for the school's previous blue ribbon award hangs. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Sean Wong, a third-grade teacher at Liholiho, said the school has invested in staff development. "We're a really close faculty. It makes a difference."

This is the first time in Hawai'i that the blue-ribbon program was connected to school performance under No Child Left Behind. The U.S. Department of Education linked the program to performance two years ago as an incentive for schools. The law requires that schools make annual progress toward having all students proficient in core subjects by 2014.

U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige, who announced yesterday that more than 250 schools across the country had been honored as blue-ribbon schools, said the law is starting to produce results. He said in a statement that schools can no longer ignore "a chronic achievement gap that mocked the promise of public education. So we must change our approach, incentives and expectations. We must foster a climate of academic excellence, enabling all students to reach the highest level of scholarship."

While some educators have chafed at being judged by student test scores, parents, teachers and school administrators at Momilani and Liholiho were delighted yesterday. Both schools have been invited to a national recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C., in November.

Liholiho Elementary principal Christina Small didn't know for sure that her school had won until a reporter told her yesterday morning. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

State schools superintendent Pat Hamamoto said the schools are "demonstrating that high student achievement is possible for all students in our public schools."

Robbins, the Momilani parent, praised the role of school principals as key to achievement.

"Two words: Doreen Higa," Robbins said of the reasons for Momilani's success. "I would do anything for her."

Momilani also was a national blue-ribbon school in the 1996-97 school year, and Higa said yesterday that being recognized again is "like validation of our good work."

"I have great teachers here," Higa said. "My parents and the support is just second to none, I have to say. Everybody wants to be here."

Christina Small, the principal at Liholiho, did not know for certain that her school had won until a reporter called yesterday morning. "We got it," she screamed. "I was tossing and turning last night. I knew it was today and I just couldn't sleep."