Maui Schools Show Marked Improvement in Chronic Absenteeism Rates

Pōmaikaʻi Elementary School on Maui was among seven schools in Maui County that dropped to single digit chronic absenteeism rates.  The school reported a 6% rate, down from 13%, for a 7% improvement. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Hawaiʻi’s public elementary schools have made significant progress in reducing the number of students chronically absent from school, according to new information released by the State Department of Education.

According to the report, the percentage of students absent 15 days or more in the 2013-14 school year dropped to 11% from 18% a year ago. Education officials say the seven-point drop “boosts the prospect for achievement in other performance areas including proficiency and graduation for more than 5,500 students statewide.”

Here on Maui, Kula Elementary School saw the greatest improvement in Maui County, with its Chronic Absenteeism rate dropping to 13% from 32% reported the year before.

The best performance in Maui County was at Kilohana Elementary on Molokaʻi which reported a 4% Chronic Absenteeism rate, down from 22% reported last year, for an 18% improvement.

Other Maui County elementary schools that saw double digit improvement from last year include: Wailuku, Haʻikū, Kula, Pāʻia, Pukalani, Kilohana and Maunaloa.  

A total of seven elementary schools in Maui County reported single digit chronic absenteeism rates including: Waiheʻe, Wailuku, Kahului, Lihikai, Pōmaikaʻi, Kilohana and Maunaloa.  

Below is a complete list of Chronic Absenteeism in Maui County in 2014-2015, compared to 2013-2014:

Baldwin Complex:

• Puʻu Kukui Elementary: 10%
• Waiheʻe Elementary: 7%, down from 12%, for a 5% improvement.
• Wailuku Elementary: 8%, down from 21%, for a 13% improvement.

Kekaulike Complex:

• Haʻikū Elementary: 19%, down from 33%, for a 14% improvement.
• Kula Elementary: 13%, down from 32%, for a 19% improvement.
• Makawao Elementary: 10%, down from 17%, for a 7% improvement.
• Pāʻia Elementary: 16%, down from 31%, for a 15% improvement.
• Pukalani Elementary: 10%, down from 20%, for a 10% improvement.

Maui Complex:

• Kahului Elementary: 8%, down from 14%, for a 6% improvement.
• Kamaliʻi Elementary: 15%, down from 19%, for a 4% improvement.
• Kīhei Elementary: 12%, down from 18%, for a 6% improvement.
• Lihikai Elementary: 9%, down from 18%, for a 9% improvement.
• Pōmaikaʻi Elementary: 6%, down from 13%, for a 7% improvement.

Hāna Complex:

• Hāna High & Elementary: not available.

Lahainaluna Complex:

• Kamehameha III Elementary: 19%, down from 22%, for a 3% improvement.
• Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary: 15%, down from 18%, for a 3% improvement.

Lānaʻi Complex:

• Lānaʻi High & Elementary: not available.

Molokaʻi Complex:

• Kaunakakai Elementary: 14%, down from 17%, for a 3% improvement.
• Kilohana Elementary: 4%, down from 22%, for an 18% improvement.
• Maunaloa Elementary: 9%, down from 21%, for a 12% improvement.