KiheiCharter School is a public Charter School located in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. Founded in 2001, Kihei Charter is the only charter school on the island and is the only high school in Kihei. Kihei Charter operates three different schools, serving children from Kindergarten through the 12th grade. Kihei Charter uses the Project-based learningpedagogy, and has a focus on STEM Education. Prior to 2018, Kihei Charter operated in multiple locations in Kihei, with no school owned property. On October 22, 2018, Kihei Charter opened a combined school, serving grades K–12. The new $18.6 Million facility is owned by the SouthMaui Learning Ohana.
History
South Maui Learning Ohana
Kihei Charter School was founded in 2001 by the South Maui Learning Ohana. SMLO is a grass-roots non-profit organization, which at the time of the school's founding was composed of parents, educators, students, special needs specialists, small business development advocates, school administrators, public officials, a teacher's union representative, people experienced in technology integration within learning situations, and other members of the South Maui community. The SMLO steering committee was twelve members and it met regularly for two years prior to submitting its charter to the State of Hawaii. Its broader affiliation included 1200 Maui residents who petitioned for the school's creation. South Maui was without a high school and, in the year prior to the school's opening, sent approximately 1,000 students to high schools in other communities on Maui. In its first year, the school shared a space with the Kihei Youth Center in North Kihei. Student enrollment at that time was approximately 60 students in grades 10–12.
Ohukai and Lipoa Expansion (2002 - 2019)
During the summer of 2002, the school relocated to another North Kihei location at 300 Ohukai Road. That school year, KCS also extended its enrollment to include ninth grade. During the 2004–05 school year, the school expanded to serve grades K-12. During summer 2006, KCS relocated to a new facility within the complex at 300 Ohukai Road, which was the former site of Hope Chapel. During summer 2007, the school acquired additional space for a second campus in Kihei and expanded its enrollment to accommodate a new Science Technology Engineering and Math program for middle school students. The following year, Kihei Charter opened up a new campus, "Arts Academy". Located in the Maui Academy of Performing Arts building, the campus focused on Visual and Performing Arts. In 2009, the STEM Academy and Arts Academy merged into "Kihei Charter TEAMS Academy". Due to art lacking curriculum, the campus was renamed back to STEM Academy the following year.
