The group America's Promise Alliance says Hawaii's public school system had a graduate rate of 64.1 percent for the 2003-04 school year.

Although the island's unique public school system is statewide, the group ranked Hawaii's rate as 10th best among the nation's 50 largest cities.

Mesa, Ariz., topped the list at 77.1 percent, with San Jose, Calif., and Nashville, Tenn., tied for second at 77 percent.

Detroit had the worst graduation rate, just 24.9 percent, with Indianapolis next at 30.5 percent.

The 50-city average was 51.8 percent.