Kaimuki High School

Kaimuki High School
Address
2705 Kaimuki Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
United States
Information
Type Public
Established 1943
School district Honolulu District
Principal Mr. Wade Araki
Faculty 63 (approx.)
Grades 9-12
Gender Co-educational
Number of students 826 (approx.)
Campus Urban
Color(s) Green and Gold          
Athletics Oahu Interscholastic Association
Mascot Bulldogs
Rival Kalani High School
McKinley High School
Accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Newspaper The Bulldog
Yearbook Ka Hali'a
Military United States Army JROTC
Website http://www.kaimukihs.org

Kaimuki High School is a WASC-accredited four-year public high school located in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Kaimuki High School falls under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Department of Education. It is bordered by the Manoa-Palolo Drainage Canal, Kapiolani Boulevard, Kaimuki Avenue, Crane Park and Date Street. It is, as its alma mater states, in view of Diamond Head. The campus boasts the sculpture Pueo (owl) by Charles W. Watson.

History

During World War II when schools were allowed to reopen, a McKinley Annex was started in Kaimuki Intermediate School for sophomores and juniors residing in that part of the city. These students went to school in the afternoon from 12:20 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In September 1943, the McKinley Annex became Kaimuki High School. The student government was established along democratic lines. A constitution written cooperatively was adopted by the student body in 1944.[1]

In 1947, plans for Kaimuki High School's new location were initiated and construction began.[2]

By September 1950, a total of 45 standard sized classrooms, three shops, and a cafeteria were available for use. The administration building was occupied in October 1950. Kelly Green and Light Gold were adopted as the school colors in 1950. In 1951, 1952, and 1953, additional buildings to house business education, agriculture, science, art, homemaking, mechanical drawing, publications, and girls' and boys' physical education were completed. The public address system was installed in 1953.[3]

In 1954, grandstands to accommodate 1,554 students were erected on the campus, since there was no auditorium. For safety reasons, these grandstands were dismantled in 1973.[4]

The music building was completed during the summer of 1956. Playcourts for boys and girls were completed during the 1957-58 school year, and in 1961 the 50-meter Olympic swimming pool was completed. A new auto mechanics shop was completed in 1962. Two Quonset huts were also purchased and moved onto campus.[5]

On April 10, 1964, Kaimuki High School dedicated its new gymnasium. In 1983, grade 9 was added to the student body. An auditorium to accommodate 600 students was also built. The performing arts learning center was established in 1987.[6]

Currently Kaimuki High School is one of the six public schools in the Honolulu District.[7]

Student enrollment is approximately 850 students.[8]

It is a comprehensive four-year, co-educational high school accredited by the Western Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.[9]

Kaimuki draws its students from the feeder schools of Jarrett Middle and Washington Middle.[10]

Complex Area Information

Kaimuki High School is part of the Hawaii Department of Education Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area along with McKinley High School and Roosevelt High School.

Kaimuki Complex

The Kaimuki Complex consists of 10 elementary and middle schools including Kaimuki.

Feeder Middle Schools

Kaimuki High School feeds primarily from 3 middle schools in the Honolulu area.

Notable alumni

Perhaps the most accomplished graduate of Kaimuki High School is former lieutenant governor and now U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, although an argument could be made for Thelma Kalama Aiu, who won a gold medal at the 1948 Olympics as part of the U.S. 4X100 freestyle relay team. Actor Don Stroud. While he didn't graduate from Kaimuki, musician Israel Kamakawiwoole can be counted as an alumnus. Also Wilfred "MOE" Keale...`58 graduate and great ukulele player and singer of Hawaiian and English songs... pure Hawaiian, Palolo resident and cousin to Iz Kamakawiwoole. Other Kaimuki musicians include Randy Borden of Jon and Randy, Troy Fernandez of Kaʻau Crater Boys, Richard Natto of Toma-Natto and now the Society of Seven, and all the members of Kapena, including Kelly Boy DeLima and Jake Shimabukuro the ukulele virtuoso. Popular slack-key guitar and singer/songwriter John Cruz is a graduate. Chino Montero and Nathan Nahinu of Palolo are also alumni. An infamous alumnus who did not graduate from the school was Ronald Ching, perhaps the most notorious syndicate hit man in Hawaii history. 1995 graduate Staff Sgt. Nimo Westhill Masaniai Tauala was killed in Iraq in March 2007. Award winning artist Stan Sakai creator of Usagi Yojimbo. Marilyn Moniz-Kaho‘ohanohano, Associate Athletics Director at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Gwen Nakamura, conductor of the University of Hawaii Pep Bands. Mel Cabang, comedian/singer/actor. Another alumna is Florence T. Nakakuni, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii. 2015 Tony-award winning actress, Ruthie Ann Miles

Brian Kolfage a 1999 graduate, enlisted in the Air Force after graduating. On September 10, 2004, he was severely injured in Iraq when a 107mm rocket exploded 3 feet away. He lost both of his legs and dominate right hand. He was awarded The Purple Heart Medal, and to this day claims to be the most severely wounded US Airman to survive any war even though Airman Second Class Clarence "Red" Moseley was a quadruple amputee from the Korean War (while Kolfage is only a triple amputee).

Alma mater

Here in fair Hawaii's islands,
There's a spot that ever calls,
Where in view of Diamond Crater
Stand old Alma Mater's halls.
Where the trees lift high their branches,
To the whispering ocean breeze,
There dear Kaimuki is calling
To our hearts' fond memories.

Ohana O Mele

Among the notable organizations at Kaimuki High School is a musical group called Ohana O Mele. Ohana O Mele is the advanced Polynesian music class founded in 1977 by former teacher William Kaneda. After his retirement, Ohana O Mele remained inactive until being revitalized by then-current teacher Darryl Loo in 1996. Many well-known local musicians are alumni to this group, including Kapena, Ernie Cruz Jr., and John Feary.

After Darryl Loo's retirement, the Kaimuki alumnus Robert Yu took over as the Polynesian music instructor and renamed the group "Ka Ohana O Mele".

In the class students hone their musical skills on instruments including the ukulele, guitar, electric bass, and drums. Aside from cultivating musical skill, the students also learn a great deal about the aspects of performance. During the Christmas period, the group tours to perform for students in various elementary and intermediate schools. The group has also been invited to perform at the Academy of Arts and for the opening of the state legislature. In addition to playing gigs at the Honolulu International Airport, various hotels, and even retirement homes, Ohana O Mele puts on an annual concert at Kaimuki High school entitled “Kanikapila”. [11]

References

  1. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  2. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  3. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  5. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  6. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  10. ↑ "Kaimuki High School History". Kaimuki High School. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  11. ↑ http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/12/03/features/story3.html
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