本校初為民國二十二年(昭和八年、西元 1933 年)四月一日設立之「花蓮港廳花蓮港公學校舊新港分教場」。民國二十八年(昭和十四年、西元 1939 年)四月一日獨立設校，名為「花蓮港廳昭和公學校」。民國三十年(昭和十六年、西元 1941 年)改稱「花蓮港廳花蓮港市昭和國民學校」。

　　台灣光復後，於民國三十五年(西元 1946 年)一月二十五日更名為「花蓮縣花蓮市明義國民學校」。因學區人口眾多，逐漸形成東台灣規模最大之一所小學。民國五十七年(西元 1968 年)八月政府實施九年國民教育復更名為「花蓮縣花蓮市明義國民小學」。

　　歷任校長牧內憲五郎先生(1939~1945)、陳先德先生(1945~1948)、鍾桂枝先生(1948~1949)、王德型先生(1949~1954)、吳國豪先生(1954~1957)、吳水雲先生(1957~1966)、葛維智先生(1966~1974)、陳天壽先生(1974~1984)、林天生先生(1984~1994)、廖高仁先生(1994~1999)、林繼盛先生(1999~2007)、曾振順先生(2007~2015)、吳惠貞女士(2015~2023)，現任校長許傳德先生於民國 112 年(西元 2023 年)八月到職至今。

【 School History and Development 】

The school was originally established on April 1, 1933 (Showa 8, Year 22 of the Republic of China) as the "Old Hsin-Kang Branch of the Hualien Harbor Public School, Hualien Harbor Prefecture."
On April 1, 1939 (Showa 14), it became an independent institution named the "Showa Public School, Hualien Harbor Prefecture."
In 1941 (Showa 16), it was renamed the "Showa National School, Hualien Harbor City, Hualien Harbor Prefecture."

After Taiwan’s retrocession to the Republic of China, the school was renamed "Ming Yi National School, Hualien City, Hualien County" on January 25, 1946.
Due to the large population in the school district, it gradually grew into one of the largest elementary schools in eastern Taiwan.
In August 1968, with the implementation of the Nine-Year Compulsory Education policy, the school was renamed again as "Ming Yi Elementary School, Hualien City, Hualien County."

The school's principals over the years have been:

Mr. Ken-Gorō Makinai (1939–1945)

Mr. Hsien-Te Chen (1945–1948)

Mr. Kuei-Chih Chung (1948–1949)

Mr. Te-Hsing Wang (1949–1954)

Mr. Kuo-Hao Wu (1954–1957)

Mr. Shui-Yun Wu (1957–1966)

Mr. Wei-Chih Ko (1966–1974)

Mr. Tien-Shou Chen (1974–1984)

Mr. Tien-Sheng Lin (1984–1994)

Mr. Kao-Jen Liao (1994–1999)

Mr. Chi-Sheng Lin (1999–2007)

Mr. Chen-Shun Tseng (2007–2015)

Ms. Hui-Chen Wu (2015–2023)

The current principal, Mr. Chuan-Te Hsu, assumed office in August 2023 (Year 112 of the Republic of China) and continues to serve in this position.

　　本校意象 LOGO 之設計理念亦以鐵道文化為設計發想，象徵本校以作為教育火車頭為自我期許，在教育體系的軌道上發揮本校團隊教育熱情、生生不息。火車頭後六個車廂，則代表小學六個年段均在象徵本校教學與行政團隊的火車頭引領下學習與精進； LOGO 中融合明義國小中文名稱的「明」字，以「日」、「月」象徵本校教師如日月般孜孜不息地引導並守護學生學習與成長；另與英文簡稱「MYPS」之圖像相結合，將「Y」字母設計為小樹苗造型，意指學生如同小樹苗般，在明義愛的環境下日益茁壯，成為頂天立地的大樹、做為社會的棟樑。

 【 Emblem of Ming Yi Elementary School, Hualien City, Hualien County (2018–Present) 】

The design concept of the school's emblem (LOGO) is inspired by railway culture, symbolizing the school’s aspiration to serve as the locomotive of education. It reflects the school's commitment to driving forward with passion on the educational track, continuously advancing without end.

The six train carriages following the locomotive represent the six grade levels of elementary school, all guided and inspired by the teaching and administrative teams symbolized by the engine.

The logo also integrates the Chinese character 「明」 (Ming) from the school’s name, composed of the radicals for “ sun ” (日) and “ moon ” (月), symbolizing the teachers’ unwavering dedication—like the sun and moon—in guiding and protecting students’ learning and growth.

In addition, the design incorporates the school's English abbreviation “ MYPS,” with the letter “ Y ” stylized as a seedling. This symbolizes the students as young saplings, nurtured in the loving environment of Ming Yi, gradually growing strong and tall, eventually becoming pillars of society.

　　明義國小校徽以英文校名「MYPS」為造型，加以變化，透過柔和的流線造型，呈現本校孜孜不倦培育英才之精神，中央橘底白字的校名，象徵旭日東昇，用以勉勵明義師生，學有精進、教學相長。
　　 墨綠色 「M」及藍色「YPS」造型，代表花蓮依山傍海，得天獨厚的資產，明義人在這片人間淨土上認真學習、成長茁壯，期許為花蓮奉獻所學，造福社會。
　　 二十一世紀是華人的世紀，校徽重製於世紀初，意義深遠，代表明義人腳踏實地，承先啟後的精神，讓花蓮立足東台灣，放眼全世界 。

【 Emblem of Ming Yi Elementary School, Hualien City, Hualien County (2000–2018) 】

The emblem of Ming Yi Elementary School is designed using a stylized version of the school’s English abbreviation, “ MYPS.” The smooth, flowing lines of the logo convey the school’s tireless dedication to nurturing talented students. The school name in white text on an orange background at the center symbolizes the rising sun, encouraging both teachers and students to strive for progress and engage in mutual growth through teaching and learning.

The dark green “ M ” and blue “ YPS ” represent Hualien’s unique natural environment, nestled between mountains and ocean. On this pristine land, the students and faculty of Ming Yi work diligently, grow strong, and aspire to use their knowledge to give back to Hualien and benefit society.

As the 21st century is regarded as the "Century of the Chinese," the emblem was redesigned at the beginning of the new century with deep symbolic meaning. It reflects the spirit of the Ming Yi community—grounded yet forward-looking—honoring the past while embracing the future, aiming to help Hualien stand tall in eastern Taiwan and connect with the wider world.