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Passes our checks

Mohala Pua School

EIN 99-0106494 · Honolulu, HI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 106 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O.AT HONOLULU WALDORF SCHOOL, WE EDUCATE EACH CHILD TO FIND MEANING, PASSION, AND PURPOSE IN LIFE AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CREATION OF A BETTER WORLD FOR ALL. THROUGH A CURRICULUM BASED ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF THE HUMAN BEING AND ON THE INTEGRATION OF ART AND ACADEMICS, OUR CHILDREN LEARN TO MEET THE WORLD WITH CLEAR AND CREATIVE THINKING, COMPASSION AND MORAL STRENGTH, AND WITH THE COURAGE AND FREEDOM TO ACT.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
74
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$118,941, interim head of school

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 106 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $3.2 million spent. HONOLULU WALDORF IS A SCHOOL THAT PROVIDES A SPECIALIZED LEARNING PROGRAM AND ENVIRONMENT THAT ALIGNS WITH WALDORF EDUCATION PRINCIPLES AND PHILOSOPHY. THE SCHOOL'S CURRICULUM REFLECTS A WELL-ROUNDED, RIGOROUS, AND CREATIVE EDUCATION FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD NINTH GRADE AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY 200 STUDENTS. WE EDUCATE A CHILD'S HEAD, HAND, AND HEART THROUGH AN ARTISTIC AND EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH TO EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1963.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.