Kona Pacific - PCS

79-7595 Mamalahoa Hwy
Kealakekua, HI 96750

Charter School 187 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 8th

School Overview

Kona Pacific Public Charter School (KPPCS) is a tuition-free public charter school located in Kealakekua, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school is unique for its commitment to Waldorf-inspired education, which emphasizes a holistic approach that integrates academics, arts, and physical activity. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning, while maintaining a strong connection to the local environment and community.

A defining characteristic of Kona Pacific is its deep rootedness in Hawaiian culture and values. The school incorporates *?aina*-based learning (land-based education), encouraging students to develop a sense of stewardship and responsibility toward the environment. By blending global educational philosophies with indigenous Hawaiian perspectives, the school strives to cultivate well-rounded, compassionate, and culturally grounded individuals who are prepared to contribute positively to both their local island community and the wider world.

187

Total Students

16.0

Full-Time Teachers

11.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

59.4%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Kona Pacific - PCS
Demographic	Student Count
White	94
Hispanic	41
Black	1
Asian	3
Two or More	35
Pacific Islander	13

White
94 (50.3 %)
Hispanic
41 (21.9 %)
Two or More
35 (18.7 %)
Pacific Islander
13 (7.0 %)
Asian
3 (1.6 %)
Black
1 (0.5 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Hawaii Department of Education
Phone:	(808)322-4900
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 8th
Total Students:	187
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	16.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	11.7
NSLP Participation:¹	No
Qualified Free Lunch:	76
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	35

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 17

Grade 1 25

Grade 2 26

Grade 3 23

Grade 4 22

Grade 5 25

Grade 6 19

Grade 7 23

Grade 8 7