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, 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 assisting with 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.  

As enrollment grew, so did Maui Prep student accolades.  Skylar Hirsch ('12) won the school's first MIL championship and HHSAA championship in the 50 yard freestyle swimming event.  He and teammate, Danielle Jefferies ('15), went on to swim on the collegiate level at Colorado Mesa University.  

Parent volunteers helped to coach Science Olympiad teams, which placed at Maui and State competitions and Branden Hazlet's Robotics teams qualified for a national competition.  

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.  

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 theatre had relied on Lahainaluna High School, the Lahaina Civic Center and various hotels to provide space for practice, competitions, rehearsal space, and theatre 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.

On February 7, 2020, the nearly-completed gym hosted its first event: a men's varsity basketball game against St Anthony's School.  A sell-out crown was on hand to witness Na Pueo defeat the Trojans prior to an impressive run to the MIL Division II Championship game.  

After spring break in March 2020, in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, Maui Prep transitioned to distance learning.  Despite all classes, extracurricular activities, and interscholastic sports being cancelled for the remainder of the school year, Maui Prep administration and parents ensured that the Senior Class of 2020 received the send-off they had been anticipating.

With Hurricane Douglas threatening to make landfall, a postponed Prom was held in late July.  The storm turned north at the last minute and the dance was a great reunion for the Upper School after months of distance learning.  The commencement ceremony, scheduled for July 31st, was hastily moved to 9pm on July 30th to stay compliant with changes to social gathering rules being placed that evening.  The Seniors' literal 11th hour commencement was a testament to the dedication and support that the Maui Prep administration, faculty, and parents contribute to the school and the West Maui community.  

While most of the country's schools stayed virtual learning in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maui Prep organized a Pueo Task Force to keep the doors open for in-person learning for students.  Enrollment reached record levels and smiling faces of mask-clad students (and parents) radiated across campus.  Maui Prep adopted the mantra, "The Show Must Go On" as sports training continued despite the MIL canceling all seasons.  The students and faculty squared off against each other on the volleyball court, and Maui Prep crowned team Cross Country champions.  The Lower School production of "A Year with Frog and Toad" was pre-taped and presented in screening rooms on campus.

The common thread through the history of Maui Prep has been the dedication and commitment of each member of the Maui Prep team, and the unending kindness of benefactors, parents, caregivers, and each Maui Prep student.  

College Offers for Maui Prep Graduates

Maui Prep holds accreditation from:

• HAIS (Hawaii Association of Independent Schools)
• WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)
• NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)