Kauai High School


Kauai High School is a public high school located in Lihue, Hawaii. It is named after the island Kauai.
Kauaʻi High School serves students from ninth through twelfth grades. It was the first public high school on the island of 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, which translates as "high point," and it was one of three heiau located near Kalapakī Bay. The residence of Governor Paul Kanoa 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 on top of the hill.
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 its doors in the renovated courthouse as the
fifth high school of the Territory of Hawaii and the first high school on the island of Kauaʻi.
The securing of this site and plant for high school purposes was brought about mainly by the efforts of the parents who had been supporting the private school in the yard of the Lihue Union Church. The high school was organized as a public institution. This made it available for all eligible students throughout the county. In addition the old private school was affiliated with the high school and partly maintained by tuition fees paid by those who attended: hence the name, Kauai High and Grammar School.
When Kauaʻi High School opened in 1914, it was just 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 came in. 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 students enjoyed dances and theatrical performances. The original school building was torn down in 1931, and the gym 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. Clubs, activities and committees seemed limitless, and at Kauaʻi High School that was just the beginning. They had added numerous clubs, like the National Thespian Society, Explorer Post, Y-Club and lots more. Kauaʻi High 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 fortunately was defused. The old "A" building was torn down, and there were plans to build a new, two-story, 12-classroom building. In the 1970s they built the cafeteria, library, administration building, "K" building and the swimming pool.
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 new "A" building was much needed; the 11-classroom building would house new special classrooms designed for science, business, and home economics.
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.

Campus

The campus sits on approximately 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.
The campus also boasts the bronze sculpture Reflections by Bumpei Akaji, the resin relief mural The Struggle by Joseph Hadley, the ceramic fountain Ka Hoo 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."

Alma mater


Here beside Pacific Waters

On our fair Kauai

Stands our school amidst the ironwoods

And the canefields nigh ---


Kauai High School we'll be loyal

Let your praises sing

Hail to thee, Oh Kauai High School

Loud your praises ring


Many hours of play and study

In our glad school days,

Memories shall twine around us

Lovingly always


Kauai High School we'll be loyal

Let your praises sing

Hail to thee, Oh Kauai High School

Loud your praises ring

Co-curricular and extracurricular activities

Sports

The Kauaʻi High School Red Raiders are members of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation and compete in the following sports:

HHSAA Championships

In 2005, the school's mock trial team finished second in the National High School Mock Trial Championship, held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 2012, the mock trial team traveled to New York to compete in the international competition, Empire Mock Trial. The team was led by coaches Aric Fujii and Ted Chihara.

Clubs

The Kauaʻi High School Student Government sponsors and hosts popularity contests throughout the school year.
The Homecoming Court and Winter Court have five Queen Candidates that are voted by the entire student body and four Class Representatives that are elected by each grade level.
The May Day Court has a King, Queen, two Ladies-in-Waiting and their escorts, 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 voted on 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 only be a Queen Candidate one time. A girl may only be a Class Attendant once a school year and may not be a Class Attendant for the same event twice. Only Seniors are allowed to run for the King and Queen titles.
A candidate's vote totals determine which island he/she represents; the larger island is represented by the candidate with the most votes.

Notable alumni