Maunaloa Elementary School Achieves Remarkable Turnaround Utilizing a Community School Model   October 3, 2024

Maunaloa Elementary School, in partnership with Partners in Development Foundation’s (PIDF) Piha Me Ka Pono program, has helped to dramatically reduce chronic absenteeism from 64% to 6% in just one year, marking a significant milestone in the school’s improvement efforts.  

Located in west Molokai, Maunaloa Elementary School serves approximately 50 K-6th grade students each year. As a Title I school with CSI MRI status, it faced challenges in student performance and attendance. The partnership with PIDF’s Piha Me Ka Pono program, implementing the Full-Service Community School (FSCS) strategy, has been instrumental in this turnaround.  

“The resource of having an extra person to coordinate things, bring families in, and find resources has been huge for us this year,” said Principal Kimberly Kaʻai. The school’s success is attributed to strengthening connections between home, community, and school.  

Susan “Omi” Seumalo, a respected community member, was hired as a Community School Coordinator in the Piha Me Ka Pono program. “We all know how important relationships are, and with Omi being a part of the community for many years, there’s that trust and relationship already established,” Principal Kaʻai explained.  

The school has also launched new initiatives, including a career day event, a summer reading program, and a Mālā (garden) program. These efforts have not only improved attendance but also boosted school spirit and family involvement.  

“I believe it’s a total accomplishment for all of us – our staff, our teachers, our principal who supports everything that we do here. It’s a big thing!” Seumalo shared.  

The success at Maunaloa Elementary School demonstrates the power of community-driven and family-centered education models. Principal Kaʻai was also a recipient of PIDF’s 2024 Ulu Hana Pewa Award in August, celebrating Hawaiʻi’s unsung heroes who bring their community together. Thanks to her leadership and her staff’s unwavering dedication to their school, they celebrate many school-wide “wins” that benefit families beyond their child’s education journey.  

PIDF is proud to support this and other schools through its Piha Me Ka Pono program, which currently partners with seven schools across Hawaii.