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Puuhale Elementary School

Q: Is Puuhale Elementary School a good school?

Puuhale Elementary School ranks 102 nd of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

102^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 203 Hawaii Elementary Schools

Better than 50% of Hawaii elementary schools

Summary

Puuhale Elementary School is a small PK–5 school at 345 Puuhale Rd in the Kalihi area of Honolulu, serving 239 students as part of the Hawaii Department of Education, the state's single statewide district. It is one of the higher-poverty schools in its neighborhood: 84.52% of students qualified for free or reduced lunch in 2024–25, and per-student spending was $19,790 (2018–19). The most important thing to know is the trajectory: statewide rank has climbed from the 8th percentile in 2021–22 to the 50th percentile with 3 stars in 2025–26 — the school's best showing in the decade of data provided.

Science is the standout: 73% of students met proficiency in 2025–26, the highest of all ten nearby schools and 35 points above the peer median of 38% — ahead of Major General William R Shafter Elementary School (66%), Kapalama Elementary School (59%), Lanakila Elementary School (57%), and Kalihi Kai Elementary School (53%). Reading (43%) is slightly above the peer median of 41%, and math (37%) is essentially at the median of 38% — a notable placement given that Puuhale has the highest free/reduced-lunch rate among nearby schools with test data. Compared with its closest economic peers, Princess Victoria Kaiulani Elementary School and Kaewai Elementary School, Puuhale scores higher in every subject and ranks 30–40 percentile points above them. Kalihi Kai Elementary School, just 0.43 miles away, posts higher reading and math but lower science (53%).

Two items are worth watching. Chronic absenteeism was 29% in 2024–25 — above the peer median, though down sharply from 35.6% the year before. In 2025–26 reading slipped from 48% to 43%, still below its 2023–24 peak. The relative performance of students in special education fell from the 95th percentile in 2023–24 to the 44th in 2025–26, while the low-income subgroup sat at the 58th percentile in 2025–26. Because Puuhale is small, year-to-year figures — especially for subgroups — can swing widely and should be read as signals rather than firm measurements.

239

Students ?

12.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

84.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

345 Puuhale Rd
Honolulu, HI 96819

(808) 832-3190

District: Hawaii Department of Education

Students who attend Puuhale Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	King David Kalakaua Middle School
High:	Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School

Racial breakdown:

Pacific Islander:

53.6%

Asian:

28.5%

Hispanic:

9.6%

See top rated Hawaii elementary schools

Compare Puuhale Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 33rd percentile in 2016 → 50th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 17 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school51%

102^nd of 203

Hawaii public elementary schools ?

Top 50%▲ up 16 pts since 2016

From bottom 33% (2016) to top 50% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Hawaii Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 1Hawaii Department of Education among Hawaii districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	54.5	102 of 203	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.2	114 of 204	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.5	121 of 207	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	29.6	143 of 195	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	10.3	178 of 193	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	24.6	149 of 196	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	46.4	105 of 196	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.0	106 of 193	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	42.4	129 of 207	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2016	36.7	130 of 195	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2015	29.8	144 of 194	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	16.5	182 of 196	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	17.4	179 of 195	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	30.2	152 of 191	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	31.7	138 of 183	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	16.6	172 of 191	9.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	16.7	176 of 192	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	27.1	155 of 194	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	94.4	17 of 160	89.4%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	46.1	134 of 203	34.0%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	45.1	80 of 116	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	62.6	54 of 123	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.4	125 of 198	36.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	60.3	84 of 202	58.4%	★★★☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	57.7	50 of 115	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.2	54 of 110	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.1	108 of 196	44.9%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2026	48.0	87 of 155	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	66.1	52 of 153	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	95.6	11 of 207	94.7%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Hawaii percentile	Rating
2024	69.9	76 of 202	62.4%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2024)89th percentile+48 vs school

White (2024)62nd percentile+21 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)58th percentile+9 vs school

Pacific Islander (2026)57th percentile+7 vs school

Special Education (2026)44th percentile-6 vs school

Asian (2024)34th percentile-8 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)31st percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs Hawaii (2025-2026) ?

Science73%

English Language Arts43%

Mathematics37%

★

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Schools Near Puuhale Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				HSA Science (2026)	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts (2026)	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	HSA Science All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments English Language Arts All Grades	Smarter Balanced Assessments Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Puuhale Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	345 Puuhale Rd	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3190	239	19	12.5	84.5%	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (9.6%)	68 (28.5%)	0 (0.0%)	128 (53.6%)	19 (7.9%)	54.5	102^nd of 203 public elementary schools	49.8%		46.2	114^th of 204 public elementary schools	44.1%	12	73.0	43.0	37.0	$28,292	$3,822	$24,470
Kalihi Kai Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	626 McNeill St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3322	533	39	13.6	64.7%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.4%)	378 (70.9%)	0 (0.0%)	88 (16.5%)	38 (7.1%)	60.1	93^rd of 203 public elementary schools	54.2%		50.4	108^th of 204 public elementary schools	47.1%	15	53.0	50.0	50.0	$26,814	$3,348	$23,466
Mayor Joseph J Fern Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1121 Middle St	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3040	384	32	12.0	74.0%	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (4.2%)	126 (32.8%)	0 (0.0%)	199 (51.8%)	42 (10.9%)	26.2	162^nd of 203 public elementary schools	20.2%		20.5	165^th of 204 public elementary schools	19.1%	3	29.0	40.0	35.0	$29,251	$4,059	$25,192
Kalihi Waena Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1240 Gulick Ave	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3210	432	31	14.1	65.3%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.5%)	180 (41.7%)	0 (0.0%)	192 (44.4%)	45 (10.4%)	27.6	157^th of 203 public elementary schools	22.7%		20.8	164^th of 204 public elementary schools	19.6%	7	35.0	41.0	31.0	$27,685	$4,022	$23,663
Linapuni Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-1	1434 Linapuni St	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3303	121	10	12.1	86.8%	2 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (4.1%)	2 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	103 (85.1%)	9 (7.4%)								(n/a)				$35,328	$3,553	$31,775
Major General William R Shafter Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2 Fort Shafter	Honolulu	96819	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	No	(808) 832-3560	380	28	13.5	25.8%	133 (35.0%)	56 (14.7%)	93 (24.5%)	23 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.6%)	65 (17.1%)	86.5	32^nd of 203 public elementary schools	84.2%		77.8	56^th of 204 public elementary schools	72.5%	24	66.0	67.0	64.0	$22,950	$1,814	$21,136
Kapalama Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1601 North School St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3290	476	37	12.8	56.3%	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (12.2%)	291 (61.1%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (10.5%)	74 (15.5%)	67.3	77^th of 203 public elementary schools	62.1%		70.5	75^th of 204 public elementary schools	63.2%	2	59.0	52.0	53.0	$26,263	$3,081	$23,182
Princess Victoria Kaiulani Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	783 North King St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3160	244	20	12.2	78.7%	2 (0.8%)	2 (0.8%)	12 (4.9%)	81 (33.2%)	0 (0.0%)	118 (48.4%)	29 (11.9%)	13.8	182^nd of 203 public elementary schools	10.3%		17.8	172^nd of 204 public elementary schools	15.7%	10	22.0	32.0	26.0	$28,738	$3,784	$24,954
Princess Miriam K Likelike Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1618 Palama St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 832-3370	227	19	11.9	74.0%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (8.8%)	94 (41.4%)	0 (0.0%)	84 (37.0%)	29 (12.8%)	29.4	149^th of 203 public elementary schools	26.6%		53.3	102^nd of 204 public elementary schools	50.0%	47	30.0	41.0	38.0	$30,381	$3,405	$26,976
Lanakila Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	717 North Kuakini St	Honolulu	96817	Honolulu County	Hawaii Department of Education	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(808) 587-4466	287	22	13.0	67.2%	6 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.2%)	147 (51.2%)	0 (0.0%)	94 (32.8%)	25 (8.7%)	81.6	48^th of 203 public elementary schools	76.4%		71.5	71^st of 204 public elementary schools	65.2%	23	57.0	64.0	68.0	$30,089	$4,098	$25,991

Frequently Asked Questions about Puuhale Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Puuhale Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Puuhale Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : King David Kalakaua Middle School
High : Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School

Is Puuhale Elementary School a good school?

Puuhale Elementary School ranks 102^nd of 203 Hawaii elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Puuhale Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 239 students attended Puuhale Elementary School.

What district is Puuhale Elementary School in?

Hawaii Department of Education

What is the racial makeup of Puuhale Elementary School?

Students at Puuhale Elementary School are 54% Pacific Islander, 28% Asian, 10% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races.

Rate Puuhale Elementary School!

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Latest Hawaii data All new data »

2021–22 through 2024–25 school spending dataNewNov 6, 2026

2013–14 through 2024–25 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2025–26 graduation ratesSep 19, 2026

2025–26 HSA & Smarter Balanced Assessments scoresSep 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Hawaii State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.