Waiakea High School
Encyclopedia
| Name | Waiakea High School |
| Address | 155 Kawili St. Hilo, HI 96720 |
| Municipality | Hawaii County, Hawaii |
| Established | 1976 |
| Community | Working Class, Middle Class |
| Type | |
| Principal | |
| Vice Principal(s) | |
| Grades | 9 - 12 |
| Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges |
| Mascot | Warriors |
| Colors | Blue White |
| Military | United States Navy JROTC |
Waiākea High School is a public, co-educational secondary school in Hilo, Hawai'i. The school's mascot is the Warrior. It is part of the Hawaii State Department of Education. The school graduated its first class in 1980, and has about 1300 students. It is across the street from the University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Hawaii at Hilo
The University of Hawaii at Hilo, UHH, or UH Hilo is one of the ten branches of the University of Hawaii system anchored by the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaii...
. The campus boasts the sculpture Landscape on the Ocean by Satoru Abe
Satoru Abe
Satoru Abe is an American sculptor and painter. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1926. He attended President William McKinley High School, where he took art lessons from Shirley Ximena Hopper Russell...
. Waiakea High School's crosstown rival
Sports rivalry
A sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. This pressure of competition is felt by players, coaches, and management, but is perhaps felt strongest by the fans. The intensity of the rivalry varies from a friendly competition on one end to serious violence on the...
is Hilo High School
Hilo High School
Hilo High School is a public, co-educational high school of the Hawaii State Department of Education, and serves grades nine through twelve. Established in 1906, its first class graduated in 1909. Hilo High School is near the Wailuku River in Hawaii County on the Big Island of Hawaii. The campus...
.
Athletics
Athletic Director: Tommy CorreaAssistant Director: Donn Yamamoto
Assistant Director/Trainer: Kalei Namahala
Waiakea is a member of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation
Big Island Interscholastic Federation
The Big Island Interscholastic Federation or BIIF Consists of 21 high schools that sponsor a number of athletic sports, including football, basketball, volleyball and soccer....
.
Waiakea 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.
In 1989, the boy's soccer team was the BIIF regular season champion.
In 1998 and 2000, the boy's baseball team was the BIIF season champions.
In 2003, the girl's swimming team took the State Championships in both freestyle and individual medley relays.
In 2011, the boy's wrestling, track and field, and judo teams won BIIF championships.
Principals
Waiakea 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, Waiakea 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 Waiakea High School after the retirement of Dr. Patricia Nekoba, who left in December 2006. He previously served as Vice Principal until his departure for Haaheo Elementary School.
Restructuring
Waiakea High School in 2003 began restructuring itself into Smaller Learning Communities from money allocated through a federal grant. These Smaller Learning Communities (more commonly referred to as SLCs) include 9th and 10th grade houses and career academies for 11th and 12th graders. These academies include Business, Health and Fitness, Public and Human Services, Pacific Rim Cultures and Natural Resources, Industrial Technology and Engineering, and Arts and Communications.Waiakea has also added a Mentorship program, which is required for all upper level students. Students are placed into a mentorship based on academy preference.
A new all weather track and football field were constructed in 2008, replacing the original aging track and football field.
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 Arson, causing a purported $1.5 million in damage.
Alma mater
Ha'aheo O WaiakeaWhen we sing to you, Waiakea High,
Your name rings far and true (far and true),
We stand in pride and loyalty as we sing this song to you,
From your mountains high and your waters so broad,
Our love will never part,
Waiakea High you will always be firmly standing in our hearts,
Waiakea High you will always be firmly standing in your hearts (in our hearts).