In 1869, a small parish school of 42 students was established in Hilo, Hawaii by Reverend Charles Pouzot, under the direction of Fr. Patrick O'Reilly. It was chartered by
King Kamehameha V to teach English to Native Hawaiian and immigrant children. Over the years, the school's enrollment increased to the point that it was necessary to build a new school on Waianuenue Avenue. This school for both boys and girls was dedicated on October 10, 1875 and called
Maria Keola. Ten years later, three
Marianist Brothers took over the operation and used the name of St. Mary's School. It was blessed on October 25, 1885. In 1900 the Sisters of St. Francis began staffing St. Joseph School for Girls on Kapiolani Street. The
Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse (Blessed Mother
Marianne Cope’s congregation) arrived in 1900 to assume teaching and administrative responsibilities for the girls. In 1948, St. Mary's and St. Joseph's were consolidated into a new co-educational institution built on the present site at the intersection of Ululani and Hualalai Streets. The elementary school, high school, and gymnasium were built in 1948, 1949, and 1950, respectively. In 1951, the Marianist Brothers were reassigned to new teaching posts, and were replaced with a larger staff of nuns and lay teachers. The opening of the new school year in 1951-52 marked the beginning of St. Joseph as a complete co-educational school directly under the Pastor of St.
Joseph Parish, part of the
Diocese of Honolulu. ==Academics==