About
History of Maui Prep
A group of concerned West Maui community leaders, businesspersons, and parents met in 2001 with the dream of an independent school for the families of Lahaina.
Four years later Tuesday, September 6, 2005, Maui Prep opened its doors to 18 middle school students. The first few months of classes were held in banquet spaces in the now-demolished Kapalua Bay Hotel. Students and faculty recall hotel valets helping the students exit their cars during the morning drop-off. Some school days required impromptu field trips as the needs of a bustling hotel required the classrooms be converted back to commercial space.
Meanwhile, the former dorms of Maui Land and Pineapple Company were being remodeled into classrooms and administrative offices. The company had graciously donated the existing buildings and the surrounding 20.5 acres of land to the school.
Shortly after opening, a group of West Maui parents met with the Board of Trustees to request that Maui Prep consider starting an elementary program as well. The group reasoned that doing so would better prepare younger students to seamlessly move into the challenging middle and high school curriculum that Maui Prep offers.
After conducting a feasibility study, considering facilities and assessing community commitment to this major move, Maui Prep decided to establish an elementary program. In the fall of 2006, the school expanded to include preschool through ninth grade. An upper school class was added each year until first Maui Prep graduating seniors received their diplomas on May 28, 2010.
Generous benefactors have made gifts that have allowed the campus to grow and improve its academics, athletics, arts and facilities. Shoemaker Field, a meticulously kept all-purpose field above the main campus, was unveiled in 2015. Scott Shoemaker and Elaine Shoemaker were consistent donors to the Maui Prep cause.
The Graham Center for Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship was constructed in 2019, and quickly stocked with design and editing software, collaboration furniture. The flexible space is used by all grade levels for coding, designing and presenting, and photography.
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Just after the dedication of the Graham Center, ground was broken on the Bozich Center for Athletics and Performing Arts. For years, Maui Prep Athletics and Performing Arts had relied on Lahainaluna High School, the Lahaina Civic Center and various hotels to provide space for practice, competitions, rehearsal space, and theater productions. The new gym would give Maui Prep its own space and allow the school to create traditions in athletics. The Bozich Center plans also included a demonstration kitchen, a stage, athletic training facilities, and a yoga/dance studio.
Board president and Maui Prep parent, Jim Bozich and wife, Dana, spearheaded the capital campaign. Mr. Bozich could be seen daily inspecting the previous day's accomplishments and chatting with workers. In addition to serving as a home for two of the three pillars of a Maui Prep experience (Arts and Athletics), the Bozich Center is stocked with cots to serve as a shelter in case of emergency.
The devastating Lahaina wildfire on August 8, 2023 was a galvanizing experience for the Maui Prep ‘ohana (family), as the school waged an impressive campaign to enroll as many displaced Lahaina students as the facilities would allow. Over 1,000 applicants filed through the doors of the Bozich Center, hoping for a spot on campus. Ultimately, enrollment swelled by 40% to a record high 390 students, most of them receiving emergency tuition assistance.
The crowning jewel of Maui Prep is its supportive community, where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported in their academic and personal growth. The collaboration among students and teachers fosters an environment where everyone learns from each other's strengths and experiences.
About
Maui Preparatory Academy is a preschool through 12th grade private school located in West Maui.
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