KING KAMEHAMEHA III ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

King Kamehameha III Elementary School is a Title I public elementary school that is part of the Hawaii Department of Education school district, located in Lahaina, HI with about 730 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 5th Grade. Student demographics can be found below. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 45 teachers, King Kamehameha III Elementary School has a student/teacher ratio of about 16:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

King Kamehameha III Elementary School, located on Front Street in the historic heart of Lahaina, Maui, served as a cornerstone of the local community for generations. Situated just steps from the ocean, the school was known for its deep connection to Hawaiian history and culture, bearing the name of the monarch who famously declared, "Ua mau ke ea o ka ?aina i ka pono" (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness). For decades, it provided a foundational education to the children of West Maui, fostering a tight-knit environment that reflected the values and spirit of the Lahaina community.

Tragically, the school’s physical campus was destroyed during the devastating Lahaina wildfires in August 2023. While the historic buildings were lost, the school community demonstrated remarkable resilience by relocating and continuing operations at a temporary site in West Maui shortly after the disaster. Today, the school remains a symbol of Lahaina’s perseverance, working to maintain educational continuity and stability for its students and families as the broader community looks toward long-term recovery and eventual rebuilding.

For more information, contact King Kamehameha III Elementary School at (808) 662-3955 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.