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The Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Campus consists of an elementary, middle and high school operated by Kamehameha Schools on the island of Hawaiʻi.

History

The first campus was built in the Kapālama area of Honolulu, then a Maui Campus, and finally, the Hawaiʻi Island Campus. Plans were announced in 1999 to move from a smaller temporary campus.

Located in Keaʻau, roughly 10 miles (16 km) from the seaside port town of Hilo, Hawaii, the Hawaiʻi island campus opened in August 2001. As of 2006, the 300-acre (1.2 km) campus served approximately 1,120 students from grades K-12. Students attend from the entire island, although those on the western side between Paʻauilo and Naʻālehu have the option of apply to the main Kapālama Campus as boarders.

The Keaʻau campus is located on land formerly owned by William Herbert Shipman, who, along with Captain Elders and Samuel M. Damon, acquired the property in 1881 when it was auctioned by the estate of King Lunalilo, a grandnephew of King Kamehameha I.

In addition to classroom buildings at the elementary and middle school division, shared buildings include a learning center, administration building, and a cafeteria/band facility. Construction of the Hawaiʻi Campus cost roughly $225 million. Like its sister campus in Pukalani on Maui, the Hawaii Campus graduated its first class in 2006. Ninia M. E. Aldrich became principal of the high school in 2002. About 100 students were in the first high school class in 2002.

Traditions

The Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi started traditions aside from those adopted from the older Kapalama Campus. Among these are:

Hoʻike: Annual student-produced performance of dancing, singing, and drama.

Elementary concerts: Concerts held in the Haʻaeamahi Dining Hall.

Junior Class Greek Day: a Greek Culture Day with games, food, music, and dance. Students are split into competing "city-states" with cheers and Greek costumes .

Freshmen Makahiki: students play Hawaiian games and learn to dance hula.

May Day: Every year on May 1, students participate in the festivities of hula. All elementary students participate in their show, and Hawaiian Ensemble puts on the show for the middle school. Normally, the middle school and the elementary school watch and support each other's shows.

Ho'olaule'a: Every year the school puts on a Hoʻolauleʻa which consists of games, foods, booths by local vendors, entertainment from the elementary choir, and a local band.

Curriculum

In addition to providing a comprehensive curriculum, the school draws upon the unique resources of the island, including the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College, as well as astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea. The forestry, geologic, marine life, and agricultural aspects of the island also play an important role in the curriculum.

Kamehameha Schools offers many extra-curricular activities and sports. The marching band appeared in the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade.

The school offers classes in Hawaiian language in middle and high school as well as Japanese and Spanish in high school.

Notable people

Alumni

• Kolten Wong, Major League Baseball player

Faculty

• Bob Wagner, former athletic director

See also

• Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus
• Kamehameha Schools Song Contest

References

1. Rick Daysog (December 21, 1999). "Bishop board focusing on education, investments". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
2. Kua, Crystal (February 10, 2000). "Keaau: An Education town Four new schools give post-sugar-era residents a rekindled sense of pride". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
3. "Principal named at Big Isle Kamehameha campus". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. June 21, 2002. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
4. Rod Thompson (December 21, 2007). "Heroes ready for famous march: Kamehameha Schools bands are up for the challenges of the Rose Bowl parade". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
5. McRoberts, Randy (August 8, 2014). "Kolten Wong's baseball career comes full circle, from Ripken World Series to major leagues". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
6. "Wagner to retire as KS Hawaii athletic director". Hawaii 24/7. April 16, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2014.

External links

• Hawaiʻi Campus on Kamehameha Schools official web site

• 1996 establishments in Hawaii
• Kamehameha Schools
• Private K–12 schools in Hawaii County, Hawaii
• Buildings and structures in Hilo, Hawaii
• Educational institutions established in 1996