Namahana Education Foundation

For decades, North Shore families have dreamed of a public, tuition-free middle and high school where all of our children can to continue to be educated within their community. Historically, they have had to shoulder exhausting commutes of up to 3 hours per day, often by bus, to Kapaʻa or beyond. 

Namahana School is addressing this critical community need. We embrace an ʻāina-based learning model with values that support the foundational principles of our Big Picture Learning partner: rigor, relevance, and relationships. Learning is based on the interests and goals of each student in relation to their community; curriculum must have real-world applications; and abilities are authentically measured by the quality of work. We envision learning that is grounded in our unique community and culture, launching future leaders with the tools to transform the world they will inherit.

In August 2025, Namahana School welcomed 120 inaugural middle school students to a temporary facility. This year’s 8th graders will be Namahana’s very first graduating class—the Class of 2030. Namahana Education Foundation (NEF), the independent 501(c)(3) established to advance Namahana School’s mission, is in need of critical funds to construct essential classrooms at our permanent campus location to ensure their journey through graduation, as well as generations of students to come.