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State Public Charter School Commission

State Public Charter School Commission ʻAha Kula Hoʻāmana
State Public Charter School Commission ʻAha Kula Hoʻāmana

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About Charter Schools

Who We Are

ʻAha Kula Hoʻāmana

ʻAha means “commission.” ʻAha also refers to courage. Kula is the Hawaiian way of saying “school.” Kula also mean “uplands.” We are trying to take education in Hawaii to a higher level. Hoʻāmana — the literal translation means “to authorize.” The other meaning is “to empower.” It is our intent to empower our communities to create schools of excellence.

Dr. Peter Hanohano

Safe, stable and loving environment

I have 5 children, one of whom has attended the PreK program at Laupāhoehoe Charter School. My daughter has wanted to go to school since the day she was born because I could not afford a PreK program, I haven’t been able to send any of my kids to PreK, so when I found out about the opportunity to do so, I jumped on it and was able to for the first time send my third child to PreK. She has loved getting to be among her peers and learning so many life skills! The teachers there are unbelievable, they are dedicated to every child’s success, they love and care for each one as though they are their own. This PreK has provided stability for many kids that come from rough home situations, providing them a safe, stable and loving environment! I have witnessed this myself! It would be detrimental to take that away from the community!

Parent, Laupāhoehoe Community PCS, Hawai`i Island

Providing quality Early Education

With two children approaching preschool, private pay preschools was definitely a financial burden. I didn’t want to compromise their learning or their social development by not sending them to school. This is why the federal grant for Waiʻalae Charter was such a blessing for our family! Our son attended Waiʻalae’s preschool 2017-2018 [program]. He benefited from a multicultural environment and loved learning about the plant life cycle, about building structures, and especially the Hawaiian language and culture component. He is now excelling in all aspects of Kindergarten at Waiʻalae School. He is reading and writing, his creativity is unlimited, he has made good friends, and he still has an incredible love for the Hawaiian language and culture. Without preschool at Waiʻalae, our family would not have been able to provide our children with a quality early education. We are grateful for the grant, the teachers and the loving environment Waiʻalae provides for the keiki [children].

Parent, Wai`alae Elementary PCS, Oahu

News & Updates

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Apr 23, 2026

Hawai‘i Earns Top Preschool Quality Recognition for Fourth Year

Hawaiʻi is once again being recognized as a national leader in preschool quality, meeting all 10 benchmarks for high-quality early learning for the fourth consecutive year,

Read More Hawai‘i Earns Top Preschool Quality Recognition for Fourth Year
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Sep 15, 2025

Study on Olelo Niihau Released by UH Mānoa Linguistics Department

On August 29, 2025, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Linguistics Department released a landmark study on Olelo Niihau, funded by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature through Act 164,

Read More Study on Olelo Niihau Released by UH Mānoa Linguistics Department
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Aug 21, 2025

Myron B. Thompson Academy Ranked #1 Public School in Hawaiʻi by U.S. News & World Report

We are proud to celebrate Myron B. Thompson Academy (MBTA) for being named the #1 public school in Hawaiʻi in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The K–12 school,

Read More Myron B. Thompson Academy Ranked #1 Public School in Hawaiʻi by U.S. News & World Report
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