# Waiakea 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.

## History

In 1976, the school opened to 17 teachers and 385 sophomore students and was founded about ten years after adjacent schools Waiakea Elementary and Waiakea Intermediate were built. Before the high school was built, the only public high school in the Hilo area was Hilo High School.
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. In 2006, another fire broke out, purportedly started by an arsonist, causing a purported $1.5 million in damage.
In 2012, funds were released to construct a new all weather track and football field. Phase 1 finished in 2014, opening the turf field. Phase 2 was completed in 2016, opening new training facilities, constructing new bleachers, and adding a building with a concession and restrooms. The facility was named the Ken Yamase Memorial Stadium, after former athletic director Ken Yamase who passed away in 2008.
In 2023, the tennis courts were resurfaced.

### School shooting threat

In April 2023, Waiakea High and other schools within the Waiakea 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 caller.

### 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 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. As of the 2024-2025 school year, he is still principal.

## Awards

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 several 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 2023.
In 2021, biology teacher and alumnus Whitney Aragaki was a recipient of 2022 Hawai'i 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.
In 2024, mathematics teacher Rory Inouye won a Milken Educator Award.

## Extracurriculars
### Athletics

Athletic Director: Kalei Namohala Assistant Directors: Donn Yamamoto, Tori Daligon-Pomakai, Sharyn Kodama, and Dayton Uyeda Athletic Trainers: Sharyn Kodama and Dayton Uyeda
Waiākea is a member of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation and has won state athletic championships in several sports, including 13 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 Championships in both freestyle and individual medley relays.
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.
In 2008, Ryan Higa took first place in state for his weight division for wrestling and took second in Judo.
* 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 cha
| 2015 | |
| | 2016 |
| 2017 | 2017 |
| 2018 | 2018 |
* Boys Wrestling
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2020
* Boys Track and Field
* 2011
* 2015
* 2016
* 2019
* Cheerleading
* 2003
* 2009
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* Football
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 2001
* Cross Country
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

### Robotics

Waiakea High's robotics team, Hot Rocks, has participated in a variety of robotic competitions, including VEX, First Robotics, and Microbots. The team provides outreach to surrounding elementary schools in the area. In 2006, the school won a state competition, being the first year to do so.

## Campus

The school sits on 43 acres of land adjacent to Waiakea Elementary and Waiakea Intermediate School. When the school was opened, it only had 2 portables and 3 buildings. These buildings were later redesignated as buildings E, F, and I. The school features a quad, a grassy area where in-school events occur. The quad is located next to the Student Activities Coordinator's office, who coordinates the events. By 2001, the school had 21 buildings, including a gymnasium, cafeteria, and a library.

## Academics
### Curriculum

Waiakea High School offers advanced placement and Early College classes for 10th-12th graders, along with Running Start classes for 11th-12th graders. 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.
For language offerings, Waiakea High offers four language classes: Hawaiian, French, Japanese, and Spanish, offerings up to 4 levels per language. Language requirements vary by academy, although most academies do not require it.
For mathematics, Waiakea High offers an "accelerated program". This allows students to take Geometry in freshman year, skipping the Algebra I class usually assigned to freshman students. This allows for AP Calculus to be taken in senior year.

### 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. For 10th grade enrollment, students are required to choose a career academy elective.
The career academies are: Arts & Communications, Academy of Industry & Technology, Health Services, and Public Services. Each career academy has 3 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. Regular core classes are based around their career academy. For instance, core classes in the Arts & Communication academy are more creative based, while Industry and Technology have their core classes geared towards its individual pathways.
To graduate, students are required to do a senior project.

## Notable alumni

* 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
* 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
* 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