Waiākea High School is a public, co-educational secondary school in Hilo, Hawaii. The school's mascot is the Warrior. It is part of the Hawaii State Department of Education. Founded in 1976, the school graduated its first class in 1980. The campus boasts the sculpture Landscape on the Ocean by Satoru Abe. Waiākea High School's crosstown rival is Hilo High School.
The school sits on approximately 43-acres of land, which are adjacent to feeding schools Waiākea Elementary and Waiākea Intermediate. The school is also located across from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
For academics, the school offers a variety of dual credit options, including Advanced Placement (AP), Early College and Running Start. The school also utilizes a Smaller Learning Community (SLC) system of career academies.
History
The school opened in 1976 to 17 teachers and 385 sophomore students. The school's name, Waiākea, meaning broad waters, was chosen due to the area the campus was located in, while its mascot and colors were chosen by the first freshman class in a poll. It was established due to overcrowding at Hilo High School, about ten years after adjacent schools Waiākea Elementary and Waiākea Intermediate were built. Although the school was founded in 1976, the campus itself was not built until the following year.
When the campus was first built, it originally had two classroom and two portable buildings. By the school's 25th anniversary in 2002, there were 21 buildings, including a gymnasium, cafeteria, and a library. In 2006, another fire broke out in building A (the administration building), purportedly started by an arsonist, resulting in a purported $1.5 million in damage.
Track and field
In 2012, funds were released to construct a new all weather track and football field, which would replace a dirt running track. The track was completed in multiple phases. Phase one marked the opening of the track facility. Phase two was completed in 2016, which constructed new training facilities, bleachers, and a building with a concession stand and restrooms. The facility was named the Ken Yamase Memorial Stadium, after former athletic director Ken Yamase, who died in 2008.
School shooting threat
In April 2023, Waiākea High and other schools within the Waiākea complex received a threat of a school shooting. The school was put on lockdown, and Hawaii Police Department was called on-scene. It was later deemed to be a hoax, called in by an anonymous person.
Academics
To graduate, as with all HIDOE schools, the school requires four credits in English and social studies, and three credits in science and mathematics. For electives, students are required to take 2 credits in either fine arts, world language, or career and technical education, one credit in physical education, half a credit in health, and half a credit in Transition to High School.
For dual credit, Waiākea High School offers advanced placement and Early College classes for 10th-12th graders, along with Running Start classes for 11th-12th graders at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the Hawaii Community College, which are part of the University of Hawaii system.
As of 2024, the school offers 10 Advanced Placement classes. These classes include AP English, AP Literature, AP World History, AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Seminar and AP Research. Classes are open to all students, however may be restricted by grade level or other prerequisites. As of the 2023-2024 school year, the school had a participation rate of 26% for AP classes, with 18% passing the AP exam.
Academies
In 2003, Waiākea High School began restructuring itself into Smaller Learning Communities from money allocated through a federal grant. These Smaller Learning Communities (more commonly referred to as SLCs or Academies) include a Freshman Academy for 9th grade and career academies for 10-12th graders. Each career academy has 3 career pathways, for a total of 12 overall.
Overcrowding
In the 1990s, the school became overcrowded as the number of students from the Keaʻau area was growing. As a result, the school became the largest school on the island. In 1998, Keaʻau High School was opened, therefore reducing the amount of students who attended the school.
Notable achievements
The school was a recipient of the Hawaii Frito Lay Blue Ribbon award in 1989 and 1996. Additionally, it has received Academy Model accreditation status for all of its academies by the National Career Academy Coalition.
In 2019, the student council won a Decade of Excellence award from the National Association of Student Councils. It also won National Council of Excellence Awards between 2020 and 2025.
In 2021, biology teacher and alumnus Whitney Aragaki received a 2022 Hawai'i State Teacher of the Year award and was a National Teacher of the Year Finalist. In 2025, she was a recipient of a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
In 2024, mathematics teacher Rory Inouye won a Milken Educator Award.
Extracurricular activities
The school offers a wide range of clubs for students to get involved in. Service clubs include Key Club, Leo Club, and Interact Club. Curriculum related clubs include National Honor Society, DECA, and robotics. Special interest clubs include a gender–sexuality alliance, color guard, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.<br />
Assistant Directors: Donn Yamamoto, Tori Daligon-Pomakai The boys Air Riflery team also took the state championship in 2004 and in 2010.
In 2003, the girls' swimming team took the state championship in both freestyle and individual medley relays. In 2003, 2009, and 2014, the cheerleading team placed second at the state championship.
In 2012 and 2015 the cheerleading team placed second at the JAMZ National Cheer & Dance Competition.
In 2008, Ryan Higa took first place in state for his weight division for wrestling and took second in Judo.
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! Boys Soccer BIIF champions
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| 1984
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| 1996
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| 2020
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! Baseball BIIF champions
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| 1982
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| 1984
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| 1996
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| 1998
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| 1999
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| 2000
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| 2001
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| 2003
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| 2004
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| 2005
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| 2007
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| 2008
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| 2011
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| 2012
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| 2014
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| 2016
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| 2016
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<small>bold denotes HHSAA tournament champions</small>
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! Girls Swimming
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| 2002
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| 2003
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<small>bold denotes HHSAA tournament cha</small>
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| 2015 ||
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| 2017 || 2017
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| 2018 || 2018
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! Boys Wrestling
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| 2011
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| 2012
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| 2013
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| 2014
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| 2020
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! Boys Track and Field
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| 2011
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| 2015
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| 2016
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| 2019
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! Cheerleading
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| 2003
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| 2009
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| 2014
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| 2015
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| 2016
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| 2017
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| 2018
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| 2019
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! Football
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| 1994
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| 1995
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| 1996
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| 1997
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| 2001
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! Cross Country
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| 2015
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| 2016
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| 2017
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| 2018
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| 2019
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Robotics
Waiākea High offers robotics through the HIDOE Learning Center program. The team, Hot Rocks, has participated in a variety of robotic competitions, including VEX, First Robotics, and Microbots.
Notable alumni
- Kai Correa - Major League Baseball coach for the San Francisco Giants
- Ryan Higa - YouTube personality
- Greggor Ilagan - member of the Hawaii House of Representatives since 2020
- Billy Kenoi - former Mayor of Hawaii County 2008-2016
- Darren Kimura - businessman
- Onan Masaoka - former professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Kodi Medeiros - professional baseball player
- Kala'i Rosario - baseball player in the Minnesota Twins organization
- Brad Tavares - professional Mixed Martial Artist (who competes for UFC)
- Quintin Torres-Costa - professional baseball player
- Kean Wong - MLB player for the Los Angeles Angels
External links
- Official website
- Honolulu Star-Bulletin articles: "Waiakea shines at silver anniversary" and "School puts kids in real-world classroom"