Mililani Waena Elementary School

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

This school should be better.
Despite fairly high test scores, the experience here falls far short of what families should expect. Hawaii’s schools rank in the bottom third nationally, and in our two years here, this “highly rated” school felt closer to a 3/10 compared to mainland standards. The main issue is poor leadership that prioritizes staff convenience over student experience. Most problems could be solved with stronger leadership and genuine care for families.

There is no parent-teacher organization, leading to little accountability or transparency. Leadership resists parent input and improvement with endless excuses. The lack of facilities is unacceptable: no playground or equipment for 1st–5th graders, no multipurpose room for assemblies or plays, and no covered recess space. Children are taken to an empty field with no benches, tables, or shade, and recess ends when it drizzles.

Quarterly awards are held in a hallway where parents views are blocked by pillars and under tarps. Some grades have only one recess, with no lunch playtime, and physical activity is sometimes withheld as punishment. Most students eat outside under tarps. There is no on-campus A+ afterschool program, leaving few options for working families.

The curriculum is bare. No foreign language or music education is offered. Technology is underutilized, limited to standardized testing and drills rather than creative or project-based work. Homework is minimal and uninspiring, tests are returned weeks late, and the pace seems set for the slowest learners. Hawaiian studies lacked rigor—no graded work was returned, and a year of lessons consisted mostly of storytelling. Overall, children are not challenged with projects, teamwork, or creativity.

Parental engagement is minimal. Parents are rarely welcomed to events, and only one was allowed when invited. Open house is reduced to teachers writing their names on the board rather than presenting their teaching style or curriculum. The school motto emphasizes behavior and conformity over curiosity and growth. Annual fundraising subsidizes field trips rather than addressing critical facility gaps. The campus is tiny yet holds 700+ students.

On the positive side, classrooms have air conditioning, the children are generally well behaved, and the office staff are kind and helpful.

Families deserve better. Leadership must shift from “doing the minimum” to creating an environment where children thrive academically, socially, and creatively.

Posted: September 15, 2024

A Major Disappointment: Mililani Waena Fails to Prioritize Student Wellness
As parents transitioning from another elementary school, we were deeply disappointed by the glaring deficiencies at Mililani Waena Elementary, particularly in terms of leadership, facilities, and adherence to child wellness policies mandated by the Department of Education (DOE).

Lack of Adequate Play Facilities
Shockingly, this 53-year-old school offers no playground for students in grades 1-5. The only playground on campus is reserved for PreK and Kindergarteners, leaving the majority of students without access to any suitable play area. For recess, students are taken off-campus to a nearby neighborhood park, where they often end up playing tag on a small, unfenced, sloping patch of grass. On most days, no additional play equipment is provided, significantly limiting the students' opportunities for physical activity.

Inadequate Recess Time
One of the most concerning issues is the limited recess time, particularly for entire grades such as the 4th grade, where students are given only a single 15-minute break. My child came home upset after learning this on her first day, and the teacher’s explanation was disheartening. “Our admin doesn't provide adults to supervise a second recess. So its up to the individual grade levels to decide. Contractually, we cannot be told we have to go out for a second yard duty. Since we as a grade level would all need to agree to do second recess duty, 4th grade hasn't had a second recess because the entire grade level hasn't agreed to it.” As a result, 4th graders, and likely others, are left without adequate time for physical activity.

Leadership Fails to Address Concerns
Attempts to discuss potential solutions with the school’s leadership were met with dismissiveness and a lack of transparency. The principal and vice principal showed no willingness to consider improvements. When we pointed out that the DOE Wellness Policy mandates a minimum of 20 minutes of daily physical activity for children—a requirement not being met by a single 15-minute recess—the vice principal unapologetically stated that they were not obligated to follow this regulation.

Suggestions for Improvement
An inclusive playground could be installed on the city park property. The school could also hire additional staff or seek volunteers to supervise a second recess, ensuring that children, receive the physical activity essential to their health and development.

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: December 2, 2018

Posted: December 2, 2018

Posted: December 2, 2018

Posted: December 2, 2018

Posted: December 2, 2018

Posted: December 2, 2018

This school has been recently remodeled and has air conditioning. My children receive 2-3 recesses a day where they play tag at a field and 4-square on the black top, lunch is 30 minutes, they have tutoring for kids who need extra help, after school care is $100 a month, the staff is friendly and helpful.

Posted: December 2, 2018

Posted: August 1, 2017

My child attended MWES for two years. I was surprised and disappointed at some of the comments made by the teaching staff. Also, there was a problem with stealing amongst the kids. Additionally, the A+ program, although very affordable, was not well managed. There were several times when I walked in to pick up my child from A+ , never spoke to or noticed by an adult (and they were not always easy to find) and left forgetting to sign the sign-out sheet and it was never noticed. There were also times at A+ when no one was able to direct me to where my child was, as the children were split into different groups across the campus.

There were times when the homework assignments did not make any sense. The children were expected to find a right answer from a group of wrong answers. I would discuss the issues with the teacher, who agreed there was no proper answer choice, but offered no correction and the issue continued throughout the year. They do utilize online programs that allow the children access to digital books, educational articles, and online math practice which was nice.
The drop off and pick up is terribly busy, considering the High School is across the street and starts at a similar time. It literally could take 15 mins to find a parking space.
One area where MWES shined was in school spirit, whether it was a themed dress-up day, or a fundraising event, it seemed like the staff and kids were having a good time.
Also, the office staff members were always willing to answer any questions I presented them with and there was an abundance of information available in the office.

Posted: August 1, 2017

Posted: August 1, 2017

Posted: August 1, 2017

Posted: August 1, 2017

Posted: August 1, 2017

Posted: August 1, 2017

Posted: April 14, 2017

Both of my children attended this school. The entire staff from the top down is engaged and motivated to create the optimal learning environment for children.

Posted: June 8, 2015

My son attended Mililani Waena from Kindergarten to 3rd grade. As a educator myself, I had high expectations for the teachers, staff and school he attended. Nothing fell short from teachers, counselors and admin. I have no doubt he received the BEST education there. They went above and beyond to assist students and help them grow. Mrs Ishida (3rd grade) would be in her classroom until well after 4:30 PM allowing the students to do work and tutor in her room. Parents were always kept abreast of what was going on and the progress of the children. The work was rigorous, but helped him grow. He accomplished so much and feels so much pride in his school and himself. I am very grateful that my son was able to experience such a nurturing environment where he was able to thrive. I will truly miss this school.

Posted: June 8, 2015

Posted: June 8, 2015

Posted: June 8, 2015

They focus on character counts which stress trustworthy, respect, responsibility, caring and citizenship...they give awards to students demonstraing these traits and repeat the students creed daily.