Punahou School

Went to a play put on by the students of Punahou school and we enjoyed it very much lot of nice scenery and props and sings. The students did a very good job and the Dillingham Hall was very clean and well kept also even with a full house it was very comfortable and temperature was well controlled.Parking lot was well managed for the amount of people and cars arriving and departing everything ran very smoothly.

Punahou School. Just hearing the name makes my heart happy! When I'm on campus I feel very nostalgic of my time spent there for 13 years. That may seem weird to other people, but that's honestly how I feel. I really enjoyed the time I spent at Punahou as it helped to make me who I am today.Punahou taught me more than reading, writing, math and science. It taught me how to communicate well with others, that it's OK to be different, and taught me critical thinking skills that have help me throughout my medical career. Punahou teaches you real life skills, that helps you to adapt in the real world.Punahou also focuses on making you a well-rounded student. Their academics program is arguably the best in the state, and one of the top in the country. But they also believe that arts, sports, leadership and service are also important qualities.Yes, Punahou has a world class track and field, Olympic size swimming pool, and even a glass blowing lab, but the things I remember so vividly are my interactions with my fellow students and the faculty. My teachers always made me feel important, and cared about my education. I felt that I mattered. Education has been always the most important thing for my parents. My dad always told me when I was a little girl, that education is something nobody can take away from you. I'm glad they invested in my education, as it was worth every penny.

So I just dropped my son off for a track meet at Punahou School at 215pm. I went in the entrance off Punahou Street right past Richardson Field. 25 minutes later and I've moved a grand total of 20 feet. I understand School is getting out but come on. They have so many security guards/parking attendants...but not all in the right areas. Not sure if it was like this before COVID but they gotta figure this out. If I were a parent who's paying $25k a year for tuition and have to endure that everyday, OMG! I wonder how drop off in the morning is?

My daughter has been attending Punahou Schools now for 3 years. She started off in K-1, have you seen that place on top of the hill?! It makes me want to go to school there. Everything you see is accessible to the children to play with, yes even the water wheel! My daughter had a blast in this area for the past two years. The teachers in the K-1 community is very helpful, kind and very knowledgeable. I like the fact that they were in the same class for kindergarten and first grade, well not the same class but same children all together and just literally moved next door. My daughter caught the school bus everyday.. when the bus came in the morning, the office staff would meet her outside to greet her and then take her into the office where she could have her breakfast she brought. Once it hit a certain time they would send her to her classroom. The transition from first to second was a bunch of anxiety and worry for her. She was afraid to move a little down the hill to the new community, Kosasa. I love the fact that before the school year ended, Punahou Schools offered transition classes so the parents knew exactly what was going to happen, that way we could go back and tell our children what to expect. During that same time, the children also ventured down the hill to Kosasa to play in that area to get them used to the place. Now she's in Kosasa community and it's like she has been there for a long time, she knows her way around, made new friends and has awesome teachers! Thank you Punahou Schools for having great communication with Parents and Students, also for providing an amazing campus for our children to learn at.

I went to Punahou and my 2 daughters graduated there. My husband is from Boston so he attended Boston Latin.Punahou is like an Awesome Buffet at Bellagio. There is something for everyone: sports with world-class facilities then performing arts like music, theatre, dance, etc., Strong Academics with incredible teachers & faculty. Kitchens that hold Home Economics classes so you can cook a meal for your dad & Shops that have electric saws so you can build a paper towel holder for your mom! Art classes that include ceramics, wheel throwing & glass blowing. No other educational institution can claim all of these & more opportunities!!!More importantly, Punahou is always with you long after you graduate! Punahou Alumni & Ohana is strong all over the world.My daughter who is attending college in NYC just attended a "Carnival" get together last night at a most gracious Alumni host down in the Village. In the middle of winter & so far away from home, she was able to feast on Portugese Bean Soup, Malasadas & Punahou's infamous Caramel Cuts!!!Punahou's traditions such as Carnival & Variety Show can be remembered with past Alumni no matter when they graduated.We all have that common bond!Enjoy the Buffet!!!

Wow, after reading Julie B.'s comment, I think it is about time for me to write my Punahou review. Yes, I attended Punahou for 13 years and I am a second generation Punahou student. I don't have any experience attending other schools, so I'm not going to say anything about Iolani or Mid Pac or any other school. I do have to say that I enjoyed my time at Punahou and that I definitely would send my children to Punahou if they got in. I had some great teachers, and some not so great. As a Punahou student, I was fortunate to have the seemingly endless amount of resources at my fingertips. Because Punahou is a college-prep school and has so many noteworthy alumni, the application process is intense. If you are applying your child to Punahou, I would suggest evaluating the needs of your child. If they are going to need extra help, send them to a special needs school like Assets School....and just because your child doesn't get in in KINDERGARTEN (my brother didn't get in until 4th grade, and he's one of the smartest people I know), try again next year, just like the 100+ applicants in the same position you're in. And let's face it, what Kindergarten teacher PREFERS a student who "[throws] tantrums, [refuses] to go into the interviewing room, [cries] or [has] meltdowns" or "acts up before or during the private or group assessments". I don't think these kids get accepted into any of the competitive schools.....

Facilities are amazing! The students of this school are blessed and fortunate to attend this school. I attended a drama production at the Dillingham Theater. I was in awe at the stage and the whole venue. Not many schools on Oahu have these kind of things to but on productions like, "Wonderful Town" nor do they have the funds to make the sets and crops that were used in the production.Talent is what brought all of these cast members together and they did a wonderful job on their fall production. I can't wait for the spring ensemble.

I was fortunate enough to attend a special Chapel Program at Punahou school. My granddaughter goes there and really loves it. She is in kindergarten and had a choice of going to Kamehameha or Punahou and as you can see she choose Punahou. I have read the reviews and I am very familiar with their high cost of tuition (thank GOD for scholarships) the influence of drugs, their awesome sports program and of course their great academic programs. But while I was there I noticed something I have never seen at any other school. All the children and many of the teachers were barefoot and walking around outside the campus!!! This gives a new meaning to our culture of taking your shoes off before you go into your home. I heard one little girl say "it's so you can feel what's around you". I asked my granddaughter and she said "it's optional" " you can or you don't have to". At first I thought it was kind of weird, but then I noticed how comfortable all the children were and it wasn't just the kindergarten children it was children of all ages. I think this shows the warmth and kindness the children feel in their surroundings. If you don't feel comfortable you don't take off your shoes no matter whose house your at. Thank you Punahou for excepting my granddaughter into your warm school. I now know that she is in great hands when we send her to school and that she feels at home.....

I wish I had children, just because I would want them to go to Punahou! I have spent so many hours at this school and I love it so very dearly. I have watch students grow up, met alumni and have seen many performances that brought me to tears. I once was contracted to work events for the school. I fell in love with the people, the teachers, admin, students, security and the campus in general. It warms my heart to look at the photos posted here. If you have children, do them a favor and send them to Punahou for their education ~ Mahalo, Cynthia

Great school with a wonderful staff and instructors. It's a safe environment for children of all ages