Waialua, Koko Head and King Liholiho elementary schools were named Blue Ribbon schools today at a ceremony in Waikiki.

The schools were chosen from among 15 nominees, and will represent Hawaii in the 2011 national Blue Ribbon program.

The schools were awarded $3,000 for their achievements.

Blue Ribbon schools must show dramatic improvement in test scores or achieve scores in the top 10 percent of schools in the state in both reading and math.

"We have a ‘why not?’ attitude," said Christina Small, principal of Liholiho Elementary, after the ceremony today at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. 

Liholiho was also named a Blue Ribbon School in 2004.