WAIPAHU — On the Lanakila Baptist School elementary campus, Cynthia Shirota wears many hats: She is the principal, teaches kindergarten and music, and is directing the school musical production.

"We're a family-oriented school. Kids will go up to the president of the school and give him a hug," Shirota said. "The students here are not just numbers. I've been here for 17 years and I've basically taught every one of these kids in a class at one point or another," she said.

The cozy elementary campus nestled in a small neighborhood serves about 125 children, many of whose families are associated with Lanakila Baptist Church or come from the surrounding community. The school serves as a feeder school to its upper-school campus in 'Ewa and to other bigger private schools on the Island.

When Lanakila began 37 years ago, the elementary and upper school students were taught at the small, one-building Waipahu campus. But enrollment soon outgrew the facilities and the elementary school and upper school were split.

"Both campuses are starting to burst at the seams again," Shirota said. Kindergarten is maxed out at 27 students this year and registration for next year's first-grade class is already closed.

"There is need for land that can accommodate everyone. But we're not a rich school," Shirota said.

"We have the resources to build, but we do not have the resources to get land to build on," said Steven Wygle, president of Lanakila Baptist Schools and pastor of Lanakila Baptist Church.

Students attend a weekly prayer service at Lanakila Baptist Church. That helps to accomplish one of Lanakila's missions — to instill "traditional values," Wygle said.

"Our kids come out of here with respect and patriotism," he said. "We start off every day with the pledge of allegiance, we open with prayer. The mission of our school is to teach good old-fashioned American values — fear of God, integrity."