Waiākea High School

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. The campus boasts the sculpture Landscape on the Ocean by Satoru Abe. Waiākea High School's crosstown rival is Hilo High School. The school sits on approximately 43-acres of land, which are adjacent to feeding schools Waiākea Elementary and Waiākea Intermediate. The school is also located across from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. For academics, the school offers a variety of dual credit options, including Advanced Placement (AP), Early College and Running Start. The school also utilizes a Smaller Learning Community (SLC) system of career academies. History The school opened in 1976 to 17 teachers and 385 sophomore students. The school's name, Waiākea, meaning broad waters, was chosen due to the area the campus was located in, while its mascot and colors were chosen by the first freshman class in a poll. It was established due to overcrowding at Hilo High School, about ten years after adjacent schools Waiākea Elementary and Waiākea Intermediate were built. Although the school was founded in 1976, the campus itself was not built until the following year. When the campus was first constructed, it originally had two classroom and two portable buildings. By the school's 25th anniversary in 2002, there were 21 buildings, including a gymnasium, cafeteria, and a library. Principals 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 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. As of the 2025-2026 school year, he is still principal. Fires In 2002, a fire started overnight in building R, causing an estimated $400,000 in damage. The building was restored and reopened in 2005. In 2006, another fire broke out in building A (the administration building), purportedly started by an arsonist, resulting in a purported $1.5 million in damage. Track and field In 2012, funds were released to construct a new all weather track and football field, which would replace a dirt running track. The track was completed in multiple phases. Phase one marked the opening of the track facility. Phase two was completed in 2016, which constructed new training facilities, bleachers, and a building with a concession stand and restrooms. The facility was named the Ken Yamase Memorial Stadium, after former athletic director Ken Yamase, who died in 2008. School shooting threat In April 2023, Waiākea High and other schools within the Waiākea complex received a threat of a school shooting. The school was put on lockdown, and Hawaii Police Department was called on-scene. It was later deemed to be a hoax, called in by an anonymous person. Academics To graduate, as with all HIDOE schools, the school requires four credits in English and social studies, and three credits in science and mathematics. For electives, students are required to take 2 credits in either fine arts, world language, or career and technical education, one credit in physical education, half a credit in health, and half a credit in Transition to High School. For dual credit, Waiākea High School offers advanced placement and Early College classes for 10th-12th graders, along with Running Start classes for 11th-12th graders at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the Hawaii Community College, which are part of the University of Hawaii system. As of 2024, the school offers 10 Advanced Placement classes. These classes include AP English, AP Literature, AP World History, AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Seminar and AP Research. Classes are open to all students, however may be restricted by grade level or other prerequisites. As of the 2023-2024 school year, the school had a participation rate of 26% for AP classes, with 18% passing the AP exam. Academies 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. Each career academy has 3 career pathways, for a total of 12 overall. As part of the academy system, each career academy requires its own designated amount of community service hours. Within these academies, students are given opportunities for mentorships and work-based learning experiences. All 5 academies of Waiākea High School are nationally certified by the National Career Academies Coalition, or NCAC. To graduate, students are required to do a cumulative senior project. Enrollment and demographics As of the 2024-2025 school year, the school has 1,183 students with 77.00 classroom teachers (on a FTE basis). Of the student population, 1 is American Indian/Alaska Native, 241 are Asian, 5 are black, 283 are Hispanic, 102 are white, 308 are Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 243 are two or more races, 562 are male and 621 are female, and 480 are free and reduced-price lunch eligible. Overcrowding In the 1990s, the school became overcrowded as the number of students from the Keaʻau area was growing. As a result, the school became the largest school on the island. In 1998, Keaʻau High School was opened, therefore reducing the amount of students who attended the school. Notable achievements The school was a recipient of the Hawaii Frito Lay Blue Ribbon award in 1989 and 1996. Additionally, it has received Academy Model accreditation status for all of its academies by the National Career Academy Coalition. In 2019, the student council won a Decade of Excellence award from the National Association of Student Councils. It also won National Council of Excellence Awards between 2020 and 2025. In 2021, biology teacher and alumnus Whitney Aragaki received a 2022 Hawai'i State Teacher of the Year award and was a National Teacher of the Year Finalist. In 2025, she was a recipient of a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. In 2024, mathematics teacher Rory Inouye won a Milken Educator Award. Extracurricular activities The school offers a wide range of clubs for students to get involved in. Service clubs include Key Club, Leo Club, and Interact Club. Curriculum related clubs include National Honor Society, DECA, and robotics. Special interest clubs include a gender–sexuality alliance, color guard, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Athletics Athletic Director: Kalei Namohala Assistant Directors: Donn Yamamoto, Tori Daligon-Pomakai Athletic Trainers: Sharyn Kodama and Dayton Uyeda Waiākea is a member of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF). Sports offered include air riflery, boys' baseball, basketball, bowling, canoe paddling, cross country, girls' flag football, boys' football, golf, judo, soccer, girls' softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, girls' water polo, and wrestling. The school has won Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) state athletic championships in several sports, including 14 in boys golf, most recently in 2024. The boys Air Riflery team also took the state championship in 2004 and in 2010. In 2003, the girls' swimming team took the state championship in both freestyle and individual medley relays. In 2003, 2009, and 2014, the cheerleading team placed second at the state championship. In 2012 and 2015 the cheerleading team placed second at the JAMZ National Cheer & Dance Competition. In 2008, Ryan Higa took first place in state for his weight division for wrestling and took second in Judo. bold denotes HHSAA tournament champions bold denotes HHSAA tournament cha Robotics Waiākea High offers robotics through the HIDOE Learning Center program. The team, Hot Rocks, has participated in a variety of robotic competitions, including VEX, First Robotics, and Microbots. Notable alumni Kai Correa - Major League Baseball coach for the San Francisco Giants Ryan Higa - YouTube personality Greggor Ilagan - member of the Hawaii House of Representatives since 2020 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 Brad Tavares - professional Mixed Martial Artist (who competes for UFC) Quintin Torres-Costa - professional baseball player Kean Wong - MLB player for the Los Angeles Angels External links Official website Honolulu Star-Bulletin articles: "Waiakea shines at silver anniversary" and "School puts kids in real-world classroom" References