Konawaena High School

Konawaena High School is a public school located in Kealakekua, Hawai'i. Konawaena means "the center of the leeward side;" this name is very literal. In the early years, when Konawaena had just been established, it was the only high school in Kona. Today there are two high schools in the Kona district: Konawaena High School and Kealakehe High School.

History

In 1921, a grammar school in Kona established its first 9th grade class. They continued to establish 10th, 11th, and 12th grade classes as the years went on. The first graduating class was the Class of 1925. Elementary schools were feeding all their graduating students to Konawaena High School.

Throughout the first 40 years of its existence, Konawaena operated on what is known as the "coffee schedule", where summer vacation was shifted to September through November so as to allow children to help with harvesting coffee cherries. The coffee schedule made it impossible for Kona to field a football team because potential players were picking coffee. Child labor laws contributed to the demise of the coffee schedule, which was ended in 1966.

Today Konawaena has successfully grown to encompass a middle school and an elementary school. The total school population is around 800 students. At one time it held the most students in the whole state, a total of 2,000 students. The current principal is Shawn S. Suzuki, former band teacher and vice-principal. Suzuki replaced Dr. James Dumaguin who died in 2005.

The school colors are green and white.

Alumni

• Ellison Shoji Onizuka 1964, astronaut who died in 1986 in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster;

• Koji Ariyoshi, labor activist;

• Rodney J. T. Yano, who earned the Medal of Honor posthumously on Jan. 1, 1969 at Bien Hao, Republic of South Vietnam;

• Pfc. Jesse M. Hirata, 100th Infantry, who earned the Distinguished Service Cross and was nominated for the Medal of Honor for during action in August 1944 when he single-handedly knocked out a German machine gun nest using only a shovel after his rifle had jammed;

• Harold Sakata, silver medalist in the 1948 London Olympics in weightlifting; professional wrestler under the name of Tosh Togo, and actor, best known for his role of "Odd Job" as an assassin in Goldfinger. Also the actor in an award-winning Vicks 44 Cough Syrup television commercial.

• Minoru "Gabby" Inaba, a former state Representative;

• Shane Dorian 1990, who is a professional surfer;

• Brian Adams Better known as "the Crush" a professional wrestler for the WWF;

• Mike Stewart a professional bodyboarder and he owns a successful bodyboard company;

• Lokelani McMichael, a Nike model featured in the March 2003 National Geographic- History of the Swimsuit issue. Lokelani was the youngest female Ironman participant, entering at the age of 18;

• Ricky Isbell, founder and owner of the famous surf resort Tavarua;

• Nelson Daranciang, former news anchor for a local tv staton;

• Billy Van Osdol (Class of 1983) Professionally known as "Billy V" - Morning Radio on Hawaiian 105 KINE, Reporter for KGMB9 Television/Honolulu and Game Day Activities Coordinator for Menʻs & Womenʻs Volleyball, Basketball and Warrior Football; Voice for National Football League-Hawaii and Host for Miss Hawaiʻi Scholarship Pageant.

• Eric K. Yeaman, Financial Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. Formerly chief financial officer for Kamehameha Schools;

• Kaleo Wassman, guitar and vocals in the rock/ska band, Pepper.

• Bret Bollinger, bass and vocals in aforementioned band.

• Yesod Williams, percussion in aforementioned band.

ports

Currently, Konawaena runs many sports programs, including football, volleyball, and basketball. The Konawaena mascot is the Wildcat.

Current Sports: Football; JV & Varsity, Volleyball; JV & Varsity, Basketball; JV & Varsity, Soccer; JV & Varsity, Air Riflery, Judo, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Water Polo, and many other various sports.

Alma Mater

Hail Konawaena pride of Hawai'i,we thy children sing;Daughters of Pele Mauna Loa cradled,make us worthy of thy name.To thee, oh jewel of the Konas,jewels within thee island jewels;We thy loyal sons and daughterspledge our lives our hopes and aims.May the light of truth you kindleburn as bright as Pele's fire;Lead us on throughout all the ages,Hail Konawaena Hail to thee