Punahou School

In the ahupuaʻa of Waikīkī, which lies in the moku of Kona here on Oʻahu, stands the home of the Buffanblu.
We are speaking of Punahou School.
Proudly representing buff and blue, Punahou School stands as the largest independent school on a single campus in the US.
Previously owned by Governor Boki and wife Liliha, who is the name sake for Liliha Ave in Nuʻuanu, the land was eventually given to Hiram Bingham, one of the first missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands.
He and other missionaries chose the site to build a school.
So, in 1841, beginning with a single E-shaped building, Punahou School opened providing education for missionary children until 1849 when they opened admissions to all students.
The name Punahou was inspired by the freshwater spring situated at the center of its campus.
The name of the spring is Kapunahou, literally meaning “the new spring.”
Stories shares that during a time of famine, an old couple who lived under a hala tree, or pandanus, had a similar dream that there was water under the tree.
So, the husband recovered it and water sprung up.
In 1857, the name of the school was then changed to Oʻahu College as students were provided two years of advanced work.
But because funding for a full college failed, the name reverted back to Punahou in 1934 and it has remained ever since.
With over 3,700 students enrolled in 2023, Punahou School continues to influence the youth of Hawaiʻi for over 180 years.
Did you know? Now you do!