Waiakea High School
| Waiākea High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
155 W. Kawili Street , 96720 | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | Learn for life! |
| Established | 1976 |
| School district | Hawai'i Department of Education (Hawai'i District) |
| Superintendent | Keith T. Hayashi |
| Principal | Kelcy Koga |
| Faculty | 77.00 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Enrollment | 1,297 (2022-23)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 16.84[1] |
| Campus size | 1800 acre |
| Color(s) | Blue White |
| Athletics conference | BIIF |
| Mascot | Warrior |
| Team name | Warriors |
| Rival | Hilo High School |
| Accreditation | WASC |
| Newspaper | Ka Leo Koa |
| Endowment | Waiakea High School Foundation |
| Budget | $ 7,503,496 |
| Communities served | Waiākea |
| Feeder schools | Waiākea Intermediate School |
| Website | waiakeahigh |
Waiākea High School is a public, co-educational secondary school in Hilo, Hawaii. The school's mascot is the Warrior. It is part of the Hawaii State Department of Education. Founded in 1976, the school graduated its first class in 1980.[2] It is across the street from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The campus boasts the sculpture Landscape on the Ocean by Satoru Abe. Waiākea High School's crosstown rival is Hilo High School.
The school was a recipient of the Hawaii Frito Lay Blue Ribbon award in 1989 and 1996. and has received Academy Model status for several of its academies by the National Career Academy Coalition.
In 2021, biology teacher and former alumni Whitney Aragaki was a recipient of 2022 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and was National Teacher of the Year Finalist. In 2025, she was a recipient of a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.[3][4]
Waiakea High School offers advanced placement and Early College classes for 10th-12th graders, along with Running Start classes for 11th-12th graders.
History
[edit]In 2002, a fire started overnight in building R and caused an estimated $400,000 in damage. The building was restored and reopened in 2005. [5]
In 2006, another fire broke out, purportedly started by an arsonist, causing a purported $1.5 million in damage. [6]
A new all weather track and football field were constructed in 2008, replacing the original aging track and football field. In 2016, a new track buliding was opened and the track was resurfaced.
In 2023, the tennis courts were resurfaced, along with replacing the aging basketball courts with pickleball courts.[citation needed]
School shooting threat
In April 2023, Waiakea High and other schools within the Waiakea complex recieved a threat of a school shooting. The school was put on lockdown, and Hawaii Police Department was called on-scene. It was later deemed that the shooting was a hoax, called in by an anonymous caller.[7]
Extracurriculars
[edit]Athletics
 | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (July 2023) |
Athletic Director: Kalei Namohala[8]
Assistant Directors: Donn Yamamoto, Michael Smith, Sharyn Kodama, and Dayton Uyeda[8]
Athletic Trainers: Sharyn Kodama and Dayton Uyeda[8]
Waiākea is a member of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation and has won state athletic championships in several sports, including 11 in boys golf, most recently in 2003. The boys Air Riflery team also took the state championship in 2004 and in 2010.[9]
| Boys Soccer BIIF champions |
|---|
| 1984 |
| 1996 |
| 2020 |
| Baseball BIIF champions |
|---|
| 1982 |
| 1984 |
| 1996 |
| 1998 |
| 1999 |
| 2000 |
| 2001 |
| 2003 |
| 2004 |
| 2005 |
| 2007 |
| 2008 |
| 2011 |
| 2012 |
| 2014 |
| 2016 |
| 2016 |
bold denotes HHSAA tournament champions
| Girls Swimming |
|---|
| 2002 |
| 2003 |
bold denotes HHSAA tournament champions
In 2003, the girls' swimming team took the State Championships in both freestyle and individual medley relays.
Boys/Girls Judo
| Boys | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2002 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2006 | |
| 2007 | 2007 |
| 2008 | |
| 2011 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | 2017 |
| 2018 | 2018 |
In 2008, Ryan Higa took first place in state for his weight division for wrestling and took second in Judo.
| Boys Wrestling |
|---|
| 2011 |
| 2012 |
| 2013 |
| 2014 |
| 2020 |
| Boys Track and Field |
|---|
| 2011 |
| 2015 |
| 2016 |
| 2019 |
| Cheerleading |
|---|
| 2003 |
| 2009 |
| 2014 |
| 2015 |
| 2016 |
| 2017 |
| 2018 |
| 2019 |
In 2003, 2009 and 2014 the cheerleading team placed second at the State Championships. In 2012 and 2015 the cheerleading team placed second at the JAMZ National Cheer & Dance Competition.
| Football |
|---|
| 1994 |
| 1995 |
| 1996 |
| 1997 |
| 2001 |
| Cross Country |
|---|
| 2015 |
| 2016 |
| 2017 |
| 2018 |
| 2019 |
Robotics
[edit]Waiakea High's robotics team, Hot Rocks, has participated in a variety of robotic competitions, including VEX and First Robotics.
Principals
[edit]Waiākea High School has had a number of principals over its history. They are as follows in chronological order: Robert Bean, John Sosa, Danford Sakai, Michael Tokioka, Patricia Nekoba, and currently Kelcy Koga.
A Honolulu Star-Bulletin article (published Monday, February 18, 2002) states, "Since its beginning, Waiākea has had six principals: Robert Bean, John Sosa, Danford Sakai, Michael Tokioka, Patricia Nekoba and currently Judith Saranchock. It has had three principals and two interim principals in the past four years." It is uncertain if all "three principals and two interim principals" were included in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin's list.
The current principal, Kelcy Koga, returned to Waiākea High School after the retirement of Dr. Patricia Nekoba, who left in December 2006. He previously served as Vice Principal until his departure for Haʻaheo Elementary School. He has served at the school for over 10 years.
Restructuring
[edit] | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (July 2023) |
In 2003, Waiākea High School began restructuring itself into Smaller Learning Communities from money allocated through a federal grant. These Smaller Learning Communities (more commonly referred to as SLCs or Academies) include a Freshman Academy for 9th grade and career academies for 10-12th graders. The career academies are: Arts & Communications, Academy of Industry & Technology, Health Services, and Public Services.[10] Academies have different strands, which correspond to different elective pathways.
Students in 9th grade are enrolled in Freshman Academy, but have the option to choose certain foundations elective from any academy. For 10th grade enrollment, students are required to choose an academy elective.
Waiākea has also added a Mentorship program, which is required for all upper level students. Students are placed into a mentorship based on academy preference.
Notable alumni
[edit]- Kai Correa - Major League Baseball coach for the San Francisco Giants
- Sean Fujioshi - Youtube partner of Ryan Higa
- Ryan Higa - YouTube personality
- Greggor Ilagan - member of the Hawaii House of Representatives since 2020[11]
- Billy Kenoi - former Mayor of Hawaii County 2008-2016
- Darren Kimura - businessman
- Onan Masaoka - former professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Kodi Medeiros - professional baseball player
- Kala'i Rosario - baseball player in the Minnesota Twins organization[12]
- Brad Tavares - professional Mixed Martial Artist (who competes for UFC)[13]
- Quintin Torres-Costa - professional baseball player[14]
- Kean Wong - MLB player for the Los Angeles Angels
- Whitney Aragaki - recipient of 2022 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist; 2025 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching recipient[3][4]
External links
[edit]- Official Site
- Honolulu Star-Bulletin articles: "Waiakea shines at silver anniversary" and "School puts kids in real-world classroom"
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Waiakea High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "WHS Online". Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2006.
- ^ a b Lee, Suevon (January 19, 2022). "Hilo Science Teacher Is A Finalist For National Teacher of the Year". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b Staff (January 17, 2025). "UH Hilo alumna receives nation's highest STEM teaching award". UH Hilo Stories. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Fire Damage Shuts down all of Waiakea High School" Archived 2012-10-08 at the Wayback Machine, "The Honolulu Advertiser"
- ^ "Fire Shuts Down Waiakea High" Archived 2012-10-08 at the Wayback Machine, "The Honolulu Advertiser"
- ^ Staff, H. N. N. (April 3, 2023). "False active shooter report triggers lockdown at Waiakea High, surrounding schools". https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ a b c "WHS Athletics". sites.google.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ "WHS Online". Archived from the original on October 9, 2006. Retrieved May 12, 2006.
- ^ "Academies". Waiakea High. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Meet Greggor – Vote for ILAGAN, Greggor". Vote for Ilagan. Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "Kala'i Rosario Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Five Things You Might Not Know About Brad Tavares". Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "Quintin Torres-Costa College, Amateur, Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
19°42′04″N 155°04′34″W / 19.70098°N 155.07610°W
| Authority control databases: Geographic |
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