Kihei Baptist School was founded in January of 1979 with 12 students. Enrollment then grew to 60 students by the mid-1980’s, utilizing a staff of four teachers and the founding Director, Mrs. June Duffer.
One of those teachers was Joey Mizufuka who started teaching the four year old class in 1981. She was named Director of the school in 1991, managing a staff of four teachers, one assistant teacher and one full time aide with an enrollment of 74 students. Joey remained with the school until December of 1996. Cheri Beyersdorf became Director in January of 1997 and decreasing enrollment and increasing expenses forced the closure of the school in August of 1999.
However, renewed interest in having a Christian preschool in the Kihei area, plus the intention of Kihei Baptist Chapel members and the leading of the Holy Spirit led to the reopening in September of 2001.