St. John the Baptist Catholic Church first opened its doors to the people of Kalihi in May of 1844.  One hundred fifteen years later, in September of 1959, St. John the Baptist School opened its doors to the children of Kalihi.

The original school building was constructed in 1958-1959 under the direction of Father John M. Coulehan, M.M., 7th pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish.  The convent building was added later and completed in 1962.  Maryknoll sisters opened and staffed the school from 1959 to 1976.  In September of 1976, the Dominican sisters of the Most Holy Rosary took over the operation of the school.

Under the guidance of Father Laurence S. Vaughan, M.M., 10th pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, the parishioners completed the physical facilities of the school.  In May of 1979, Bishop John J. Scanlan blessed the new social hall, the Ministry office, Science room, Kindergarten room, and the library.  In January 1985 transfer of administrative leadership for the parish and school took place between the Maryknoll Fathers and the Diocese of Honolulu.

In July of 2006,  Father Jack Ryan was named the 16th administrator of St. John the Baptist Parish and School.  The school continues to be administered and staffed by the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary and dedicated lay teachers.

St. John the Baptist parishioners and school parents have a vision and confidence in the future of their children, and the school is an outward expression of their faith.

The congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary was canonically established on July 24, 1925, under the direction of the Most Reverend James P. McCloskey, Bishop of Jaro, Philippines.  The Mother House of the congregation is located in Molo, Ilooilo City.  With Mother Maria Rosario Arroyo, the founder of the congregation, we have created a contemplative-apostolic community serving God through a life of prayer and serving the church through education of youth, and the care of the sick, orphans, and aged.

At present the congregation administers twenty-eight elementary and high schools, one orphanage, and one Health Clinic, which provides free medical assistance to the poor.

Foreign foundations include two mission places in Kenya, Africa, three parochial schools in Saipan, three in San Francisco, California, and four in Hawaii, namely: St. Elizabeth School, Aiea; Rosary Preschool and Kindergarten, Waipio Gentry; St. Joseph, Makawao, Maui; and St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Honolulu.