EAST KAPOLEI — The Hawai‘i State Department of Education today held a blessing and ceremonial groundbreaking for a new elementary school in the Ho‘opili development, an important investment in educational capacity for the rapidly growing East Kapolei community.

Community partners joined Gov. Josh Green, Sen. Rachele Lamosao, Honolulu City Council Vice Chair Andria Tupola, Superintendent Keith Hayashi and landowner D.R. Horton Hawai‘i at the nearly 12-acre school site along Iwikuamoo and Honouliuli streets.

“We ground ourselves in these needs: to have jobs, to have houses, and to now build an incredible school. This is the investment that is most important,” Green said. “A commitment to public education is the essential bedrock of everything we do. That’s  why I’m here today. That’s why we’re funding this project.”

The $156 million project is currently out to bid, with construction anticipated to begin in March 2027, pending completion of the procurement process. The campus is expected to welcome students for the 2029-30 school year.

“This groundbreaking is more than just the start of construction. It represents an investment in our keiki, our families and the future of our community,” Sen. Rachele Lamosao said. “I’m incredibly proud that after years of planning, conversations, persistence, we’re finally able to secure the full funding needed to move this project forward.”

The school is being developed to accommodate 750 students in kindergarten through grade 5 and will help the Department respond to continued residential growth and changing enrollment patterns in the Kapolei-‘Ewa region.

“While some communities are seeing fewer students, others, like East Kapolei, are experiencing growth as more families move into newly developed neighborhoods. This is why it’s so important that we continue to plan ahead and make thoughtful investments in school facilities where they’re needed most,” Hayashi said. “I want to thank Governor Green and our legislative leaders for their support of public education and investments in our school facilities.”

Designed as a modern learning environment for young students, the approximately 147,000-square-foot campus will feature classroom neighborhoods organized around shared learning commons, with younger grades on the first floor and older grades on the second. Plans include flexible classroom and collaborative learning spaces, a covered play court, outdoor playfield, library/media center, and multipurpose cafetorium with a full-service kitchen.

The campus design also incorporates sustainability and energy-efficiency features, including strategies to maximize natural daylight and reduce energy use. 

The school will be located on a 12-acre parcel within Ho‘opili that was dedicated for educational use. It will be the first public elementary school located within the Ho‘opili community. 

“Ho‘opili was planned for individuals and families to begin their story and grow, and a school is at the heart of that vision. This new school campus will allow for children to live, learn and play in their own neighborhood,” Tracy Tonaki, president of D.R. Horton Hawai‘i said. “Mahalo to Governor Josh Green, Superintendent Keith Hayashi and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education and Senator Rachele Lamosao for their continued partnership and investment in the growing East Kapolei community.”

Denise Della-Sabas, a Ho’opili resident and mom of two young children, said she and other parents in the community are excited about the new school moving forward.

“One thing I’m really excited as a parent, as a mom of a 2 year old, is to have my daughter go to school with our neighborhood kids,” Della-Sabas, who attended Wednesday’s event, said. “Currently, a lot of our parents here in Ho’opili are commuting out for school. So having a school in our neighborhood, that means less commute time and more time with our kids. We can build community. We can actually be involved with the school.”

Construction is expected to start on-site in March 2027, with the school targeted to open for the 2029-30 school year. The total project cost is approximately $156 million.

The project is currently referred to in planning documents as “East Kapolei Elementary School.” The school has not yet been officially named. A permanent name will be determined closer to the campus opening through the Department’s school-naming process.

Project at a glance

地点: Ho‘opili, East Kapolei, O‘ahu

Site: Approximately 12 acres

Campus size: Approximately 147,000 square feet

Planned capacity: Approximately 750 students

Grade levels: K-5

Key features: Flexible learning spaces, library/learning commons, cafetorium, central park, playgrounds, performance lawn, teaching garden and outdoor learning areas

Construction: March 2027 to Aug. 2029

Anticipated opening: 2029-30 School Year

Project cost: $156 million

Architect: Ferraro Choi

(renderings below courtesy Ferraro Choi)