Discussion Forum

#1

• Waikiki
• mail
• 2025/02/21 19:00

Hello.
I am thinking of applying for my child to take the Kinder exam this fall.
I was wondering if anyone knows how many people have taken the Punahou and Iolani Kinder exams in the last few years?
I understand that the Kinder exam is the most difficult. If you are taking the Middle exam, there is a test and a score bar, so I think it is fair and people who are not at that level may not take the exam. Please let me know.

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書き込めなくなるまであと137日

#163

• ABC
• 2026/06/03 (Wed) 23:42
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My daughter graduated from Iolani. Naturally I was a fan of Iolani.
After hearing your opinions, I looked into it in detail. I can conclude that Punahou and Iolani are the best choice for Punahou.
Looking at the situation in Kinder today, it will not change in the next ten years. No, it is likely that the difference will be even greater.
Conversely, if you cannot pass Punahou, Iolani is the only choice.
Even though we are taking the Kinder exam, in the end we want to get them into a good college.
In the U.S., college entrance exams are based on school grades, teacher recommendation letters, essays, interviews, etc.
I applied to 11 schools, 3 were memorial exams ？
2 were stop-losses, and as a result, I received acceptance letters from 7 schools.
I failed the 3 schools that the school said I couldn't go to. The one school I didn't want to go to even if I was accepted was also a no-go.
I passed all the other schools that I thought I might be able to get into.
I have the impression that Iorani's support for university entrance exams was very good.
I was told that it was impossible, but it was still impossible.
The problem was just beginning: tuition and living expenses.
There are merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Families who go to Punahou or Iolani are unlikely to have need-based.
Every college has given me merit-based scholarships. But 1 ． 50,000 ～ 2 ． $50,000.
Education ： about $70,000, living expenses ： about $20,000, I can't do very well.
State universities have lower tuition, but if you are not a US citizen, you will not get preferential treatment in California.
I know there are many people whose only option is UH for these reasons.

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#164

• ABC
• 2026/06/04 (Thu) 18:04
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I will write some more to add.
If you want to go to college in the Mainland, you need at least $70,000/year.
This also goes up every year.
If this is not financially feasible for you, you should not choose Punahou or Iolani in the first place ？
There are 12796 students at UH. That's about 3200 students/year.
There are about 50 people in total who go to UH from Punahou and Iolani.
Mid-pack and others combined would not be 100 people.
In other words, an estimated 3,100 are enrolled from Public.
I think there is an option to go to UH while getting top grades at Public instead of choosing Punahou or Iolani from the start.
This would save about $400,000 over 12 years.

If you are accepted to the college you apply to, you will be notified of the cost and the scholarship you will receive after the acceptance letter.
I thought I would get a few scholarships even on a need-based basis.
In fact, it was merit-based only.

In the end, I had the painful experience of convincing my daughter, who was accepted, that it was financially impossible.
The good thing about going to Iolani is that I got accepted to a lot of good colleges even though I couldn't go, and I made a lot of good friends.

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#165

• ぷ
• 2026/06/10 (Wed) 16:23
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Indeed, a certain number of students from Punahou and Iolani go to UH each year.

Many then transfer to prestigious universities or go to prestigious graduate schools.

I don't have data, but my sense is that Punahou and Iolani graduates are far more likely to do so than Public graduates.

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#166

• りんご
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• 2026/08/31 (Mon) 01:33
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My daughter is currently attending Iolani Elementary. She didn’t have any homework in kindergarten or first grade. I think that’s because they cover the material thoroughly in class.
As for the counselor, I believe teachers have their own jobs to do, so personally, I think it’s better to leave any issues to a professional counselor. As my daughter has also mentioned, I think the students generally resolve their own problems.
As for the incident, it was the actions of a few students, and I think that sort of thing can happen at any school. I don’t think we should get too worked up over it.
My daughter absolutely loves Iolani.

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#167

• 夢
• 2026/09/07 (Mon) 23:32
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The rankings for the total number of students accepted into Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and other Ivy League schools across the United States have been released.
As expected, Punahou in Hawaii was far and away the top school. Punahou ranked 21st among all public and private high schools nationwide, while Iolani ranked 50th and fell out of the rankings. In recent years, Iolani has had zero students accepted to Harvard or MIT, and virtually none to Princeton, Harvard, or other Ivy League schools.
As someone mentioned, when it comes to the UC system, while Punahou sends many students to UCLA and Berkeley, Iolani students tend to go to lower-ranked schools like Irvine and UC San Diego … and others.

My daughter is a junior at Iolani, and lately there’s been a stark divide at the school between the top students and those who don’t prioritize academics—it’s become very polarized.
No matter how much I tell my daughter, she won’t take AP classes …—and it seems there are plenty of students around her who take only the bare minimum, not just my daughter.
It’s undeniable that there’s a significant gap between Iolani and Punahou in terms of where graduates go on to college. Starting in middle school, almost all the kids spend their breaks on their phones—a scene very different from Punahou, where all electronic devices are stored in lockers ！. When a friend once took me to Punahou, I was surprised to see that on the middle school campus, the kids were mostly outside playing basketball or engaging in active play.
These days, I find myself wondering—perhaps a bit belatedly—if the school’s approach, the heavy homework load starting in middle school, and the “study, study” mentality just don’t suit today’s kids.
Even if we push them to focus solely on academics, in the end, Punahou—with its well-rounded approach—seems to lead to better college placements. I’ve had some reservations about the school since around 4th grade, but now that she’s in junior high, I just want her to graduate from Iolani. Given her current situation, top-tier colleges are out of reach, but I simply hope she’ll find a school she genuinely wants to attend.
Iolani is a good school, but it’s certainly true that Punahou offers better college outcomes, fosters greater independence in children, and provides a stronger sense of community and communication skills. I believe this is linked to the college acceptance records of recent graduates, the decline in the number of kindergarten applicants, and the number of families who withdraw after enrollment. I’ve shared the reality I’ve observed after actually sending my child there.
For parents whose children are about to take the kindergarten entrance exams, since this is a school your child will attend for 13 years, I think it’s best to evaluate the school from various perspectives.

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#1

• バイオリン
• mail
• 2026/07/07 17:01

I'm looking for a （ Japanese-language ） violin class for my child, who just turned 3.
I'm only looking for places that offer instruction in Japanese, so if you know of any, I would appreciate it if you could let me know. ！

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書き込めなくなるまであと134日

#6

• Mahalo
• mail
• 2026/07/15 (Wed) 13:03
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I’ve taken lessons at Virtuoso Violin.
Everyone from young children to adults seemed to be enjoying their lessons.
Please feel free to check out their website.

https://virtuosoviolinhawaii.com/

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#7

• バイオリン
• 2026/07/22 (Wed) 21:42
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Thank you for letting me know. So there is a Japanese teacher there. I’d like to get in touch with them.

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#8

• HIRO
• 2026/08/04 (Tue) 12:32
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I think you'll also find them at the music school in Ala Moana.
https://www.reneesmusichawaii.com/japanese/teachers/

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#9

• ALIKA_HNL
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• 2026/09/04 (Fri) 03:43
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There’s a female instructor who was born in Japan and raised in Hawaii—a graduate of the Austrian 🇦🇹 National Academy of Music—who gives piano and violin lessons to students of all ages.
She offers lessons in Japanese, English, and German, so why not search for the following and get in touch? ？
SEVEN SEAS MUSIC STUDIO
The studio has two locations: Kaimuki and Ewa Beach.

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#10

• バイオリン
• 2026/09/04 (Fri) 13:40
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HIRO and ALIKA_HNL, thank you for the information. I'll reach out to them.

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#1

• 81
• mail
• 2026/08/01 20:02

I'm cutting back on salt because of my blood pressure, but I'd like to ask for some
healthy chicken breast recipes that taste great even without salt.
I'd really appreciate your help.

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書き込めなくなるまであと132日

#2

• 81
• 2026/08/09 (Sun) 16:12
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I slice the chicken breast lengthwise and stir-fry it in olive oil with wine vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and herbs. I also stir-fry broccoli, onions, and other vegetables along with them. I found the wine vinegar online, so I bought it right away. It turned out really delicious.

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#1

• mj
• mail
• 2026/08/30 16:54

I currently have a family law case regarding child custody pending outside of California and am looking for someone who can provide urgent consultation ・ and assistance.

I am looking for an attorney who can consult ・ and communicate with me in Japanese.

If you know of any attorneys, legal aid organizations, or legal assistance programs for low-income individuals who have experience with custody issues and interstate jurisdiction matters and can handle this at the lowest possible cost, I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide.

As time is of the essence, if you know of anyone who can provide a consultation soon or any support organizations, I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide.

Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと129日

#1

• mj
• mail
• 2026/08/30 16:50

I currently have a family law case regarding child custody pending in Texas and am looking for someone who can provide urgent consultation ・ and assistance.

I am looking for an attorney who can consult ・ and communicate with me in Japanese.

If you know of any attorneys, legal aid organizations, pro bono services, or legal assistance programs for low-income individuals who have experience with custody issues and interstate jurisdiction matters and can handle the case at the lowest possible cost, we would greatly appreciate any information you can provide.

Since I currently live outside of Texas, I am looking for someone who can provide ・ online consultations.

As time is of the essence, I would greatly appreciate any information from anyone who knows of a professional or support organization that can provide a consultation as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと129日

#1

• はらぼう
• mail
• 2026/08/18 00:08

Nice to meet you.
I live in Japan and am currently traveling in the U.S. Yesterday, while driving a rental car from Idaho to Yellowstone, I exceeded the speed limit （ of 65 miles per hour ） by about 40 miles and was issued a ticket by the Fremont County Sheriff for DRIVING -RECKLESS, and was told to call if I cannot appear in court on a certain date in September; I was also told that the fine would be determined at that time.
Will I be able to pay the fine after I return to Japan? ？
Also, what would be a reasonable amount? ？
I would appreciate any information you can provide. Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと129日

#2

• 冷蔵君
• 2026/08/18 (Tue) 13:09
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Before the date in September arrives, call the Fremont County Circuit Court ） listed on the ticket （ Citation ）, explain that you must return to Japan （ because you are a traveler ）, and ask how to pay the fine.
Since this traffic ticket is not a standard speeding violation but rather “Reckless Driving （” ）—a criminal misdemeanor （ ）— I do not believe online payments via the court portal （ (such as the Wyoming Judicial Branch Payments system) are available.
If you’re told you must appear in court or if the fine is substantial, you should consider hiring a Wyoming traffic attorney （ Traffic Attorney ） to appear on your behalf.
I wrote that as if I knew what I was talking about, but it was actually a Google AI search. I just copied and pasted a topic by “Harabou” in Japanese. Looks like I could become a lawyer starting tomorrow ！ ！

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#3

• ポポ
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• 2026/08/29 (Sat) 11:03
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As a parent, that post was just too much to bear
I've heard that when you get caught going over 100 miles per hour, you're usually taken straight to prison. Reizou-kun is absolutely right.

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#4

• 通りすがり
• 2026/08/30 (Sun) 11:21
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I’m a complete layman, but I’m confident in stating the following:

Arrested for a serious speeding violation ・ Even if you aren’t detained, since this is a misdemeanor, it’s likely to hinder your future entry into the U.S. via ESTA. If your ・ financial situation allows, I believe the best course of action is to hire a traffic attorney to seek a reduced charge in court. (Using a defense prepared by a lawyer—such as unfamiliarity with U.S. traffic laws or the rental car’s speedometer, or that the speeding was not intentional.) In any case, I believe it is necessary to obtain a written copy of the court’s judgment to use as a defense when applying for a visa in the future.

If you ignore the judgment and fail to pay the fine, the court (not the police) will issue a bench warrant. This will result in your immediate arrest ・ and detention upon entry into the United States.

This is equivalent to receiving a red ticket for excessive speeding in Japan, where the penalty is a fine for a criminal offense rather than an administrative penalty.

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#1

• 仕事
• mail
• 2026/08/22 17:36

I posted this because I’d like to hear from owners who rent out their rooms through a room-sharing arrangement
.

Regarding personal belongings, furniture, or appliances
—and how to handle situations where it’s unclear who caused the damage when
several people are living together—we’d like to hear your advice as we’re planning to start renting out a room ourselves
and want to learn about various issues, such as disputes between tenants
.
Thank you in advance 🤲

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書き込めなくなるまであと123日

#1

• まさみ
• mail
• 2026/08/18 00:44

Since I’m getting older, I’d like to leave a will for my sons.
What’s the typical fee for a consultation? ？
Is there a system like the one in Japan where the first 30 minutes are free? ？

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書き込めなくなるまであと121日

#2

• Zion
• 2026/08/19 (Wed) 18:08
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Masami

I live in Hawaii, but since things vary greatly depending on the lawyer and the time period,

it’s wise to ask an AI. For details like what they’re like or how old they look, I think the experiences of people who’ve recently used a lawyer would be helpful.

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#1

• そうめん好き
• 2026/07/25 20:35

I live in Hawaii. I have two children, ages 2 and 5. Since both my spouse and I work and often have to work late, we’d like to use a babysitting agency. I’d appreciate any advice from anyone who has experience with this. Thank you in advance.

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書き込めなくなるまであと118日

#2

• Hibi
• 2026/08/19 (Wed) 19:30
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If you have a spare room, I’d recommend considering a live-in babysitter （ Au Pair ） as one of your options.
There’s a placement agency called “Au Pair International,” and Hawaii is one of the areas they cover. ！

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#1

• HOLO
• mail
• 2026/08/12 13:38

My child will turn 6 next month.
We use The Bus to get to school, but it seems a HOLO card is required starting at age 6, so we need to get one.
Is going to the Kalihi Transit Center the only way to do this?
Also, do I have to bring my child with me to the Kalihi Transit Center to get the card?
Or can I get it done if I go alone as a parent, as long as I bring my passport or other ID?
If anyone knows, please let me know.

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書き込めなくなるまであと112日

#2

• rak
• 2026/08/12 (Wed) 17:07
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I'm not up to date on the latest information, but I believe you could also get one at the service counters of Foodland and Time’s Supermarket at Ala Moana Shopping Center.
You can also have multiple accounts under your own name.

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#3

• タコ
• 2026/08/12 (Wed) 17:12
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You can't get HOLO cards for children at places like Foodland.

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#4

• rak
• 2026/08/12 (Wed) 19:17
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My apologies.
It seems you need a photo ID (such as a passport) to get the children’s discount.
It seems the locations are limited to
Satellite City Halls (except Ala Moana Center)
TheBus Pass Office (Kalihi)
Online (see form below)
.
Since I’ll probably be taking the bus with my child to school, this was very helpful.

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#5

• アリラン
• 2026/08/12 (Wed) 23:14
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https://www.thebus.org/Fare/FareTran_Youth_Japanese.asp

#4 You're absolutely right, rak.
I'll post the URL here for reference.

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#6

• トピ主です
• 2026/08/13 (Thu) 00:32
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Thank you, everyone.
Satellite City Hall operates by appointment only and had no openings until the second week of next month. … It looks like I’ll have to go to the Karihi Transit Center. Thank you for the information.

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