Lahainaluna High School

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Lahainaluna High School
Motto O Keia Ka Kukui Pio Ole I Ka Makanai O Kauaula
Established 1831
Type Public Secondary School
Principal Michael Nakano
Students 836
Grades 9 – 12
Location Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii USA
District Hawaii State Department of Education, Lahainaluna District
Accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Campus Suburban Coed
Colors Red and White
Mascot "Lunas"
Website LHS

Lahainaluna High School is a grade 9-12 school located in Lahaina (on the island of Maui), Hawaii. It was founded in 1831 as a Protestant missionary school, originally named Lahainaluna Seminary. The early missionaries who arrived in Lahaina in 1823 explained to the Hawaiian Royalty the importance of an educational institution. It was the first school founded in Hawaii and has remained in operation since. The school and the community are proud to boast of the school's historical significance as the oldest school west of the Rocky Mountains. [1]

Lahainaluna has a boarding program where students from the outer islands can live and study at either of the campus dormitories. In return, they work 18 hours per week doing various jobs around the campus. The two dorms are David Malo Dormatory for the boys and Hoapili Dormatory for the girls. Previously, Hoapili housed both genders. Lahainaluna is one of only a few public boarding schools in the nation.

Twice a year, boarders lay a fresh coat of white lime on Mount Ball in the shape of an 'L'. On the L is the year and amount of athletic championships won the previous year. On a clear day, the freshly limed L can be seen from the island of Molokai.

The school celebrates David Malo Day annually - a day where a feast is served, students sing, and the dormitories are open to the public.

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[edit] Scenery

Lahainaluna High School is perched high on a hill. The multiple classroom buildings are widespread. The grounds are covered with many benches, pathways, grass, plants and trees, the latter allowing easy-to-find shade even on hot, sizzling days. There is also a small stream near the school, past the Agriculture area. The path to view this stream is against a cliff and is therefore challenging to get to. The red rocks and lush scenery here however, eases one's trepidation while viewing.

One of the buildings on the campus, Hale Pa’i (the house of printing), is an historical landmark. The original printing press housed in this building created the first newspaper West of the Rocky Mountains on February 14, 1834. Because of its significance, the building is not used by the school.

Lahainaluna is also situated high enough on this hill to allow breathtaking views of the Pacific and of the islands of Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. It is simply one of the best views from any school in the islands.

[edit] Notable Alumni

  • David Malo, Class of 1835 - Native Hawaiian scholar, Hawaii's first superintendent of schools, Advisor to the Hawaiian royal family[2] and namesake to the boy's dorm and the festival held at campus annually (described above).
  • Christian Riese Lassen, Class of 1971 - Internationally renown artist based on Maui, known primarily for his paintings of marine environments.
  • Macario Pascual, Class of 1974 - Nationally-acclaimed artist, primarily known for his paintings of Maui landscapes[3]
  • Keali'i Reichel, Class of 1979 - Award winning, internationally renown Hawaiian music artist[4]
  • Russell Yamanoha, Class of 1984 - Popular primetime KHNL local television sportscaster [5]
  • Stephen Nakamura, Class of 1985 - Telecine (Movie) Colorists in Hollywood[6][7]
  • Garret Probst, Class of 2003 - Ukulele musician whose talents were included on a 2006 Grammy Award winning album[8]

[edit] Organizations

Some of the clubs offered at the school include:

  • Anime Club - Considered to be one of the most active clubs due to the high volume of 'otaku' who attend each Anime Night.
  • Aloha Club - A club involved in community service projects.
  • Interact Club - This club is also involved in community service projects, but on a more international scale. The members usually build the Haunted House situated in Front St.
  • Japanese Club - This club has the most members, but it is not quite as active as Anime Club. This club focuses on the Japanese culture as a whole.

[edit] References

[edit] External links