Enrolling in Hawaiʻi’s public schools is a simple process. Follow the steps below to get started. Find answers to commonly asked questions in our FAQs. If you have additional questions, please contact the kula pololei.
Steps to enroll
These steps apply to kindergarten through high school enrollment. Children who are 5 years old by July 31 enroll in kindergarten for that kula year. Children who turn 5 on August 1 or later enroll the following kula year. For information on enrollment in public preschool programs (e.g., EOEL, SPED), please contact the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) a Huli keiki.
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Determine Kula Kupono
- Find Your Kula: E hoʻohana i ka SchoolSite Locator App to identify your designated kula based on your address.
- Your child must attend the kula that serves your geographic area of residence.
2
E hoomakaukau i na Palapala
- Student Kakau inoa Form (PDF) a me ka Supplemental Kindergarten Kakau inoa Form (PDF) no nā haumāna e komo ana i ka Kindergarten.
- Nānā 'Ōlelo Home (PDF). The Language List may be used to assist with completing the HLS. Translated documents in your preferred language are also available below.
- Valid photo ID of parent/guardian.
- Hooiaio o ka noho ana: Bila hoʻohana, ʻaelike hoʻolimalima, a i ʻole nā palapala mana ʻē aʻe e hōʻike ana i kāu helu wahi o kēia manawa.
- A notarized statement by a relative/friend can be accepted by the kula with the following stipulation: (a) Notarized statement must state that the parent/legal guardian and child are living with the relative/friend; (b) Notarized statement must state the name of relative/friend that is on the relative/friend’s proof of legal residence; (c) Notarized statement must state the same address of relative/friend that is on the relative/friend’s proof of legal residence; (d) A copy of the relative/friend’s proof of legal residence must be attached to the notarized statement; and (e) Notarized statement must be signed by same name of relative/friend that is on the relative/friend’s proof of legal residence.
- Palapala hānau: No ka hōʻoia makahiki. Ua ʻae ʻia ka passport haumāna a i ʻole ka visa haumāna no nā haumāna haole.
- Families in Unstable Housing: Families experiencing unstable housing are covered by enrollment guidelines provided in the McKinney-Vento Act. Please contact a hui kaiaulu in your area.
Falsification of documents submitted is subject to penalty under Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes 710-1063, resulting in the child being sent back to the kula where he/she should properly be attending. The Department may pursue prosecution at its discretion.
3
Complete the Kakau inoa Palapala noi
- In-person: Visit your designated school to complete the enrollment process.
- Online: If your child is new to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) or transferring* to a different HIDOE kula, you may submit an online registration application to begin the enrollment process. This option will be temporarily discontinued soon. If you are planning to register for the 2026-2027 kula year, please go to your designated school to complete in-person registration.
- Nā ʻohana HIDOE e kū nei a i ʻole ma mua i loaʻa kahi moʻokāki makua: E ʻoluʻolu e hahai i kēia kuhikuhi for kakau inoa ana your child using the Infinite Campus Pahu makua.
- Nā ʻohana HIDOE hou a i ʻole ka poʻe i loaʻa ʻole kahi moʻokāki makua: E ʻoluʻolu e hahai i kēia kuhikuhi for kakau inoa ana your child using the online weblink.
*Parents/Guardians need to complete the withdrawal process at their child’s current kula before beginning an online application. Parents/Guardians are not required to submit an application for students continuing to the next grade level in the same kula or for students in a terminal grade at a HIDOE kula that feeds into the next HIDOE kula.
To enroll your student at a Hawaiʻi public charter kula, please contact the charter kula directly for more information about their individual admissions processes and deadlines.
4
Waiho i ka palapala noi
E ʻoluʻolu e hoʻopaʻa ʻia nā palapala āpau a waiho ʻia ma ka lā palena.
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ʻO ka hōʻoia a me ke kuhikuhi ʻana
After enrollment, you will receive a confirmation from the kula. We encourage you to attend any scheduled orientation sessions to familiarize yourself with the kula environment and resources.
unuhi palapala
Student Kakau inoa Form
ʻO ka Student Kakau inoa Form (PDF) is required for all students. Translated documents in your preferred language are also available below.
Home Language Survey (HLS)
ʻO ka Pepa Nānā ʻŌlelo Home (PDF) is required for all newly enrolled students. The Language List may be used to assist with completing the HLS. Translated documents in your preferred language are also available below.
Nā lawelawe hoʻonaʻauao kūikawā
If your child has a disability affecting their learning or development, we are here to guide you through the ke kaʻina hana o ke komo ʻana i ka hoʻonaʻauao kūikawā a me nā lawelawe pili.