Kauaʻi High School serves students from ninth through twelfth grades. It was the first public high school on Kauaʻi and has a rich history, a wide variety of programs, and many notable alumni. It began operating in 1914 and graduated its first class, consisting of one out of seven students, in 1919. Since then, the school has grown each year with an increasing number of students.
History
The hill above Nāwiliwili was called Ke Kuhiau ("high point"), and was one of three heiau near Kalapakī Bay. Governor Paul Kanoa's residence stood there before annexation, and later it became the courthouse and county offices. When new county buildings were built on Rice Street, Kauaʻi High School was established atop the hill.[2]
Kauaʻi High School was founded in 1914. On April 30, 1913, the governor of the Territory of Hawaii signed into law Act 160 to establish "the Kauai High School". On September 14, 1914, Kauaʻi High School opened in the renovated courthouse as the fifth high school of the Territory of Hawaii and the first high school on Kauaʻi.[3]
The securing of this site and plant for a high school was brought about mainly by the efforts of the parents who had been supporting the private school in the Lihue Union Church yard. The school was organized as a public institution, making it available to all eligible students in the county. In addition, the old private school was affiliated with the high school and partly maintained by tuition fees; hence the name Kauai High and Grammar School.
When Kauaʻi High School opened in 1914, it was a little over a month after the outbreak of World War I. There were seven in attendance that year. Only one of these remained to graduate. The next year seven more entered. For each of the following three years, about twice that number enrolled. In 1919, 29 entered. Seven students graduated in 1919; numbers climbed to about 100 per class in the 1930s. During the '20s and '30s, some students lived in private dormitories, bungalows were built as classes were added, sports were introduced, and there were student dances and theatrical performances. The original school building was torn down in 1931, and the gym (still in use today) was built in 1939.
The '60s was a time when students were encouraged to "do your own thing", and Kauaʻi High was a part of that approach to life. Kauaʻi High School added numerous clubs, including the National Thespian Society, Explorer Post, and Y-Club. The school had about 190 seniors in the '60s. As the '70s rolled in, the school's senior class grew to 249 students, and more clubs, activities, sports and classes were added. A homemade dynamite bomb was found in the "K" building boys' restroom and defused. The old "A" building was torn down, and there were plans to build a new, two-story, 12-classroom building. In the 1970s the cafeteria, library, administration building, "K" building, and swimming pool were built.
Kauaʻi High greeted the '80s after a statewide six-week strike that left classrooms uncleaned, lunches unprepared and, later, the school unopened. The decade also started with the construction of "A" building; the 11-classroom building housed new classrooms designed for science, business, and home economics.[4]
In 1998 the six-period day was abandoned in favor of block scheduling, and in 2000 the intermediate grades went to Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. Since then there has been no new construction, but in 2003 the campus was given a facelift.
On March 1, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Kaua‘i High School for a new gymnasium. Nicknamed "The Roost," the $21 million project was conceived in 2011, with the help of John Hara Associates, Inc., and is estimated to be completed by 2023. The new gymnasium will seat 1,600 spectators, approximately twice the number the current gymnasium holds.
Campus
The campus sits on about four acres off Lala Road and has sweeping views of Kalapakī Bay and Nāwiliwili Harbor. Among the facilities are an athletic field, gym, and swimming pool.
Also on campus are the bronze sculpture Reflections by Bumpei Akaji, the resin relief mural The Struggle by Joseph Hadley, the ceramic fountain Ka Hoʻo Mau by Wayne Miyata, and the mixed media sculpture Kauai Ola by Ken Shutt.
Vision
The school emphasizes a student-centered educational program that nurtures students and recognizes that students have different interests, cultures/religions and learning rates.
"Our students will be prepared for the challenges of their future by becoming LITERATE, RESPONSIBLE, and CONTRIBUTING members of society."[3]
Co-curricular and extracurricular activities
Sports
The Kauaʻi High School Red Raiders are members of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation (KIF) and compete in the following sports:
Key Club is supported through the Kauaʻi Kiwanis Organization. The club provides school and community service through various activities, such as Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, tutoring, Key Kids, and highway and beach cleanup. A convention is held every February, where Hawaii's various Key Clubs come together to learn, bond, and participate in various service projects. The Kauaʻi High School Key Club is internationally recognized as a "Diamond Distinguished Key Club". Of over 5,000 Key Clubs worldwide, fewer than 100 are given this award.
Leo Club is sponsored by the Kauaʻi's Lions Club. The club's name is based on the acronym of its motto, "Leadership, Experience and Opportunity". Student members contribute to and serve their community. Activities generally include participation and assistance in local events on Kauaʻi, such as Zonta's Eat Dessert First, Kauaʻi Keiki Story Festival, abd Easter Seals.
Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) is a part of the National Academy Foundation. It provides students with the opportunity to learn and explore careers in the tourism and hospitality industry through classes, activities and internships.
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) provides career opportunities in health care, to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all interested students.
National Honor Society is a select group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors chosen by an anonymous group of teachers.
Academy of Health is designed for students who plan to pursue careers in the health service industry, such as nurses, surgeons, and doctors.
Nature Club dedicates its time to exploring, preserving and protecting the environment. The club participates in various hikes, cleanups, and beautification projects.
Yearbook (Ke Kuhiau) is a group of students and parents who come together every year to create the school's annual that captures the events that took place throughout the school year.
Newspaper Editors (Making Waves) provides a safe refuge for journalism students, and creates newspapers and editorials.
Japanese Club provides school and community service through various activities in an effort to preserve Japanese culture.
Skills USA provides careers in repair of automobiles. The club raises funds for its yearly trip to compete with other Skills USA clubs around the country.
Power Lunch is a student-led gathering at the end of every week. Students can hear words of encouragement from the Bible spoken by fellow students and other speakers. Students are also given food donated and bought by various churches on Kauaʻi.
Dance Club provides various activities that allow each member to express their creativity through dance. The club performs at school assemblies and sports events.
Popularity contests
The Kauaʻi High School Student Government sponsors and hosts popularity contests throughout the school year (Homecoming, Winter Assembly and Ball, May Day, and Prom).
The Homecoming Court and Winter Court have five Queen Candidates elected by the entire student body and four Class Representatives elected by each grade level.
The May Day Court has a King, Queen, two Ladies-in-Waiting and their escorts (runners-up for King and Queen), two conch blowers, and a Kahuna, which are elected by the entire student body. Each grade level elects two Class Attendants, two escorts, and two Kahili Bearers.
The Prom Court is elected at Prom. The King and Queen are elected by all Senior and Junior attendees. The Senior Prince and Princess and Junior Prince and Princess are elected by their respective grade levels.
A girl may be a Queen Candidate (elected by the entire student body) only once. A girl may be a Class Attendant (elected by her respective grade level) once per school year and may not be a Class Attendant for the same event twice. Only Seniors are allowed to run for King and Queen.
Senior class represents the Big Island and Maui
Junior class represents Oʻahu and Kauaʻi
Sophomore Class represents Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi
Freshman Class represent Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe
A candidate's vote totals determine which island he/she represents; the larger island is represented by the candidate with the most votes.
