Originally known as The Kilauea Cooperative Playschool, a group of mothers who were looking for a small group play experience for their children on a part-time basis joined together one morning in September 1968. Twelve children (including three sets of twins) and nine mothers met three mornings a week at the Kaimuki YMCA on Kilauea Avenue (hence the name “Kilauea”). Mothers shared teaching and assisting duties, and rotated monthly chairperson duties.

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The Playschool moved to Wailupe Valley Elementary School in 1981 and hired its first permanent teacher. In 1987, the school officially incorporated as The Kilauea Ohana Playschool changing “Cooperative” to “Ohana” for licensing purposes. The Playschool moved to Aina Haina Elementary School beginning with the 2001-2002 school year and expanded the Monday-Wednesday-Friday program by adding one hour to the class schedule to include school lunch. After spending some time at the Academy Learning Hub in Aina Haina, we are now happy to have a home at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Manoa.

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Over the years, the structure and function of the Playschool has remained relatively the same. The chairperson duties evolved into a Board of Directors. Yearlong parent participation jobs were established in 1989, and in the past few years, the teacher’s salary was brought up to a competitive level. Current tuition costs largely reflect teacher salary levels as all parent jobs are on a volunteer basis.