Maemae Elementary School

2 of our daughters went there from k-​5^th grade. Multiple times our kids were bullied and it was never brought to our attention till months after when either a classmate told us or special Ed. The school swept it under the rug until we complained and then we got the usual «we will look into it», with no follow through.
This year we tried to enroll our son, the older Japanese lady that works in the office was there as usual giving attitude as usual. (she only does that to younger ppl never to older ppl) I asked for a registration and got a «we don’t just give that to anybody» and «I’m assuming you don’t own a house so you need a notarized letter from the home owners».
Through the years with the girls there I noticed a lot of the teachers leaving or retiring because of how the school is run. And what I found crazy was the teachers wish lists which were iPads, Mac book pros, and other high priced electronics other than the usual paper towels, soap, markers.
Horrible school, just went down hill over the past years and seems to have gotten worse since. Plus that lady still in the office giving attitude and remarks like usual. This is not the Maemae of before but a unchecked institution. Forget this school, plus Lanakila has better staff, rating, and official results that put them above Maemae. But the only good news I have for the school is the Special Ed teacher, she’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.
You have been warned!

I went to Ma’e Ma’e from 3^rd to 6^th grade a long, long, long time ago. Back then there was a huge submarine shaped gymnasium in the field behind the temple but that has been removed some time ago.
Family Fun Night (In May, annually) included such games as fishing and you could buy a piece of sugar cane to gnaw one for $ 0.25.
My daughter now attends Ma’e Ma’e and Family Fun Night is a much bigger deal. This year there were rides, giant bouncy castle things, and a climbing wall.
As far as how the school is now, my daughter is only in Kindergarden so I will update my review as time goes on but so far the teachers are all caring and helpful.

As a kid who grew up in Chinatown and attended Princess Kaiulani Elementary School, this was the school many people RAVED about. I was young and didn’t think much about it but eventually had a smack on the head when I attended Kawananakoa Intermediate School where I had classes with kids who came from Ma’ema’e. These students excelled and definitely stood out in the class. They were the leaders in the pack and I was in the back only to eat their dust. Math, science, English, social studies and Japanese — — they kicked my butt!!!
Some of my cousins attended here, including my niece and nephew, and I was shocked on the school’s curriculum. Compared with what I had, this school excels in academics and streamlines the students to rise to the top.
Because this school is in my district I support them, just like the others in my neighborhood. I have actively helped with their school fundraisers and donated my time volunteering.
I understand this school is very difficult to attend if you do not live in this district. Many parents work in downtown and try to get their kids to attend here via Geographic Exception but I hear it’s not an easy task.
They have their annual Family Night which I attended tonight. On the school grounds they have many games, rides, food booths, bake shop, country store, silent auction, face painting, school logo shop and more! I have volunteered at the Family Night many years when my niece and nephew attended here but now that they have both graduated, I now come here to enjoy. I came to the Family Night 2x today — — once in the early afternoon to attack their bake sale and the second time after 7pm to look for bargains. Tonight I walked away with 4 plants and 4 Fuji apples for less than $ 15. It was also very cool to bump into some old classmates (they are Ma’ema’e alumni but we met at Kawananakoa) here tonight.

Ma’ema’e school… the school that we called our own. It was our own playground even during the summer months. A lot of my friends and family still live in the LIliha, Nuuanu, and Alewa Heights area, so I do past the school quite a bit. And each time we drive by the school, I turn into that Dad, Uncle, or gramps that has a different story about the crazy things we did in school.
I went to school when Mr. Matsunami was the principal. If you don’t know then you better ask somebody LOL. Because we were so kolohe, a lot of the rules now were implemented because of us… man those were the days. We got the rulers, spankings, and pinching… we weren’t beat-​they just had to get our attention. All I can say is i’m glad that I got swat here and there for getting out of hand… I can truly say that it made me a little more respectful for teachers and it also made my reflexes much faster.
Our school had a strong PTA and parents were always around school and that was in the late 70’s to 80’s. We had awesome events… Family Night was the best. Malasada’s, teri beef sticks, farmers market, baked goods… I miss those times. I’m sure the parents are more involved now then ever because god forbid their kid on district exception does bad in school and jeopardize his chances of getting into Ma’ema’e again. I’ve heard its a tough school to get a DE into and its a public school.
The best thing that ever happened to me was getting hounded by my counselor… Mr Takatsuki. I think he became principal at point. I was naughty to the point that he would talk to my Grandma everyday. Then one day he told me about detention homes and jails… that was enough for me to realize that I did not want to end up there and disappoint my Grandparents. Takatsuki made that very clear to me and I am forever thankful that he did. Some people say teachers shape the future of tomorrow… but lets not forget about the counselors who also can make a difference.
Nothing but love for Ma’ema’e school and Mr. Takatsuki
Shaka brah

I attended Ma’ema’e elementary all the way through 4^th grade. I just remember every year, Principal Morris Kimoto would tell us how we were the best elementary school ever. Ma’ema’e had a kick-​ass afterschool program called A+ (DUH!), and it was a blast — playing kickball, dodgeball all afternoon w/​out our shoes on! My second grade teacher, Ms. Sue Umeda, was the bestest ever — not sure if she’s still there. but I loved her, and we also had a class pet — a white bunny.
Back in the day, we had 45 cent lunches, and double milk was an extra 25 cents… not to mention I’d always win in the milk drinking competition!
Oh, the memories!
«Green and yellow… proudly wave»