Lahainaluna High School
Encyclopedia
Lahainaluna High School is a grade 9-12 school located in Lahaina (on the island of Maui
), Hawaii
. It is the oldest post-secondary school west of the Mississippi River. It was founded in 1831 as a Protestant missionary school, originally named Lahainaluna Seminary. The early missionaries who arrived in Lahaina in 1823 explained to the Hawaiian Royalty the importance of an educational institution. A number of the pioneers are buried in a small grave yard. It was the first school founded in Hawaii and has remained in operation since.
in 1823. In June 1831 Lorrin Andrews
was chosen as first principal of a seminary
. The site, coordinates 20°53′19"N 156°39′33"W, was named Lahainaluna for "upper Lahaina".
On September 5, 1831 classes began in thatched huts with 25 Hawaiian young men including former royal historian David Malo
. The second principal was William Patterson Alexander
1843–1856.
The post-secondary program later became part of the first University of Hawaii
.
Lahainaluna has a boarding program where students from the outer islands (including students from the "other side of the island") can live and study at either of the campus dormitories. In return, they work 18 hours per week doing various jobs around the campus. Initially and exclusively for males, the boarding program became coed in 1980. The two dorms are David Malo Dormitory for the boys and Hoapili Dormitory for the girls. Previously, Hoapili housed both genders. Lahainaluna is one of only a few public boarding schools in the nation.
Twice a year, boarders lay a fresh coat of white lime on Pu'u Pa'u Pa'u in the shape of an 'L'. On the L is the year and number of athletic championships won the previous year. On a clear day, the freshly limed L can be seen from the island of Molokai
. It is located at coordinates 20°53′15"N 156°38′30"W.
The school celebrates David Malo Day annually - a day where a feast is served, students sing, and the dormitories are open to the public.
Hale Pa'i, or the house of printing, is a small coral and timber building on the Lahainaluna campus that, starting in 1834, served as the home of Hawaii's first printing press. English and Hawaiian language
books and newspapers were printed here, including the first newspaper printed West of the Rocky Mountains. The first paper currency of Hawaii was printed here in 1843, and a student was expelled in 1844 for counterfeiting
, causing all the paper money to be re-issued with secret marks.
Many archived publications are on public display at the site, now a museum maintained by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. Hale Pa'i, also known as Hawaii Site No. 50-03-1596, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1976.
. There is also a small stream near the school, past the Agriculture area. The path to view this stream is against a cliff and is therefore challenging to get to. The red rocks and lush scenery here however, eases one's trepidation while viewing.
Lahainaluna is high enough on this volcano to allow views of the Pacific and of the islands of Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe. It is simply one of the best views from any school in the islands.
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
), Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. It is the oldest post-secondary school west of the Mississippi River. It was founded in 1831 as a Protestant missionary school, originally named Lahainaluna Seminary. The early missionaries who arrived in Lahaina in 1823 explained to the Hawaiian Royalty the importance of an educational institution. A number of the pioneers are buried in a small grave yard. It was the first school founded in Hawaii and has remained in operation since.
History and traditions
The missionary station in Lahaina was established by William RichardsWilliam Richards (Hawaii)
William Richards was a missionary and politician in the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Family life:William Richards was born in Plainfield, Massachusetts on August 22, 1793. His father was James Richards and mother was Lydia Shaw. He was schooled under Moses Hallock in Plainfield, attended Williams College...
in 1823. In June 1831 Lorrin Andrews
Lorrin Andrews
Lorrin Andrews was an early American missionary to Hawaii and judge. He opened the first post-secondary school for Hawaiians called Lahainaluna Seminary, prepared a Hawaiian dictionary and several works on the literature and antiquities of the Hawaiians. His students published the first newspaper,...
was chosen as first principal of a seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
. The site, coordinates 20°53′19"N 156°39′33"W, was named Lahainaluna for "upper Lahaina".
On September 5, 1831 classes began in thatched huts with 25 Hawaiian young men including former royal historian David Malo
David Malo
David Malo or Davida Malo was a leading Native Hawaiian historian of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He became a Christian minister and founded a church.-Life:...
. The second principal was William Patterson Alexander
William Patterson Alexander
William Patterson Alexander was an American missionary to the Kingdom of Hawaii. His family continued to influence the history of Hawaii.-Life:...
1843–1856.
The post-secondary program later became part of the first University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
.
Lahainaluna has a boarding program where students from the outer islands (including students from the "other side of the island") can live and study at either of the campus dormitories. In return, they work 18 hours per week doing various jobs around the campus. Initially and exclusively for males, the boarding program became coed in 1980. The two dorms are David Malo Dormitory for the boys and Hoapili Dormitory for the girls. Previously, Hoapili housed both genders. Lahainaluna is one of only a few public boarding schools in the nation.
Twice a year, boarders lay a fresh coat of white lime on Pu'u Pa'u Pa'u in the shape of an 'L'. On the L is the year and number of athletic championships won the previous year. On a clear day, the freshly limed L can be seen from the island of Molokai
Molokai
Molokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
. It is located at coordinates 20°53′15"N 156°38′30"W.
The school celebrates David Malo Day annually - a day where a feast is served, students sing, and the dormitories are open to the public.
Hale Pai
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
books and newspapers were printed here, including the first newspaper printed West of the Rocky Mountains. The first paper currency of Hawaii was printed here in 1843, and a student was expelled in 1844 for counterfeiting
Counterfeit money
Counterfeit money is currency that is produced without the legal sanction of the state or government to resemble some official form of currency closely enough that it may be confused for genuine currency. Producing or using counterfeit money is a form of fraud or forgery. Counterfeiting is probably...
, causing all the paper money to be re-issued with secret marks.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1976.
Campus
Lahainaluna High School is perched on the side of a volcano. The multiple classroom buildings are widespread. The grounds are covered with many benches, pathways, grass, plants and trees, the latter allowing easy-to-find shade even on hot, sizzling days. The campus boasts the ceramic sculpture Orbit by Toshiko TakaezuToshiko Takaezu
Toshiko Takaezu was an American ceramic artist.She was born to Japanese immigrant parents in Pepeekeo, Hawaii, in 1922. She studied at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and at the University of Hawaii under Claude Horan from 1948-1951...
. There is also a small stream near the school, past the Agriculture area. The path to view this stream is against a cliff and is therefore challenging to get to. The red rocks and lush scenery here however, eases one's trepidation while viewing.
Lahainaluna is high enough on this volcano to allow views of the Pacific and of the islands of Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe. It is simply one of the best views from any school in the islands.
Notable alumni
- Samuel KamakauSamuel KamakauSamuel Manaiākalani Kamakau was a Hawaiian historian and scholar. His work appeared in local newspapers and was later compiled into books, becoming an invaluable resource on the Hawaiian people, Hawaiian culture, and Hawaiian language during a time when they were disappearing.Along with David Malo...
, Class of 1837 - Native Hawaiian historian and scholar - David MaloDavid MaloDavid Malo or Davida Malo was a leading Native Hawaiian historian of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He became a Christian minister and founded a church.-Life:...
, Class of 1835 - Native Hawaiian scholar, adviser to the Hawaiian royal family - Clay MarzoClay MarzoClay Marzo was born on July 17, 1989, in San Diego, California. He was raised in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii where he currently still resides. Clay is an accomplished professional surfer and aquatic athlete....
, Class of 2007 - Professional surfer - James Jae Lee, Class of 1985 - Activist
- Keali'i Reichel, Class of 1980 - Hawaiian music artist
Organizations
School Clubs:- Academy of Hospitality and TourismAcademy of Hospitality and TourismThe Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is one of the three major programs sponsored by the National Academy Foundation which provides students with skills and knowledge necessary for travel. The program teaches students in the art of geography, economics and tourism business as well as hospitality...
- A business class and club that is a part of the National Academy Foundation. Students participate in mock interviews, go on job shadowing and internships, travel to various parts of North America and Asia, and practice dressing in business attire. - AnimeAnimeis the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
Club - One of the more social interactive clubs on campus that brings students together with the culture and interest of animeAnimeis the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
. - AlohaAlohaAloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, peace, compassion and mercy. Since the middle of the 19th century, it also has come to be used as an English greeting to say goodbye and hello...
Club - A club that is involved in community service projects. - Interact Club - A club is involved in community service projects, but on a more international scale the club is currently headed by President Saumalu Mata'afa.
- Japanese Club - A club that teaches students the culture of JapanCulture of JapanThe culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...
both traditional and modern. - ChessChessChess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
Club - A freelance club holds occasional casual games of chessChessChess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
where students can participate. - Drama Guild - A club dedicated to studying all fields of the performing arts such as acting, singing, directing, writing, and dancing founded by President Katrina Chavez, Vice President Jessica Vernoy and Secretary Sydney Thompson. The Drama Guild is currently undergoing some minor difficulties and will "reform" soon.
- Water PoloWater poloWater polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
Club - A COED club ment for water polo players and swimmers.
External links
- Lahainaluna High School Official web site
- Lahainaluna High School Hawaii Department of Education School Information
- Lahainaluna High School Music Department web site