History
In 1943, Father Louis Boeynaems, SSCC, Pastor of St. Joseph Church, srote to His Excellency, Bishop James J. Sweeney requesting the building of a Catholic school in Makawao. After approval, the Baldwin family, through Maui Pineapple Company, released land adjacent to the church. The men of the 4th Marine Division leveled the ground for the first wing. Fr. Louis bought a Quonset hut, which was used to house the kindergarten class. At 8:00 a.m. on October 1, 1945, St. Joseph School opened its doors for the first time to 118 students in grades kindergarten, first and second. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange staffed the school. Under the quidance of Fr. Raphael Smelders, the second wing was completed in 1949.
In 1968 the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange were recalled. Bishop John Scanlan and Father Joseph Putman, SSCC invited the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary from the Philippines to teach at St. Joseph School. They have maintained a presence at the school since that time.
In 1995, St. Joseph School celebrated its 50th year of educational excellence. Presently, a lay principal helped by both religious and lay faculty members staff the school.
