Punahou will also show the inauguration live in an auditorium before school, so parents, teachers and students can drop by, starting at 6:30 a.m. Later in the day, the entire sixth-grade class will hold an assembly to watch video clips of the inauguration and to learn about past inaugurations. And at 1 p.m., students in kindergarten through fifth grade will have an "inauguration parade" from Castle Field to the gym, where they will watch clips of Obama's address.

And to cap off the experience, the cafeteria is planning an all-American lunch, complete with hot dogs, french fries and apple pie. "It's a celebratory day," Hamilton said. "We want to get them interested in the process. We just want to hype them up."

"They just feel so excited and included," Kadota said of her students.

Russell Motter, History Department chairman at 'Iolani School, said the inauguration presents a once-in-a-lifetime "teachable moment" for students of all ages. Not only will Obama be the first black president, he is the first to have roots in the Islands.

For Hawai'i students, Motter said, that means something.

"Oftentimes, it is (a) cliche to tell students that you can grow up to be president," Motter said. "But students can take a look at Barack Obama ... (and) know anything is possible. He is the first president of African descent. This is a seminal moment."

At 'Iolani School this morning, the inauguration will be playing live at Seto Hall, and students will get a chance to watch before classes. History teachers will be on hand to answer questions, guide discussions — and watch along with students.

Woodie Milks, a history teacher at 'Iolani, said students understand the significance of Obama's inauguration and are already talking about it, even without urging by teachers. "This is a big day," said Milks.

At Damien High School, today will begin with a special prayer for Obama and the nation, recited over the loudspeaker. In home rooms, kids will also make cards for Obama, offering him congratulations and kind words.

In addition, said Michael Weaver, principal of the high school division, the inauguration "will be a topic of discussion in almost every one of our classes." He added that students have been buzzing about Obama for months, so the inauguration talk will be nothing new. "It attracted so much attention," Weaver said. "I don't think I've seen this much interest (in a president) in all my years of teaching."

At Island Pacific Academy in Kapolei, the inauguration will play on a recorded loop throughout the day in the lobby. Kids will be encouraged to drop by whenever they can to see tidbits of the speech. Students will also watch snippets of the address in an assembly. Age-appropriate discussions will follow, school officials said.

And history students will be tasked with analyzing the pledges Obama makes in his address to figure out how possible they are and how costly they could be.

"It's a lesson," said Judy White, director of advancement, "in how government works."