Damien Memorial School
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| Damien Memorial High School | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| 1401 Houghtailing Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 |
|
| Information | |
| President | Mr. Bernard Ho |
| Principal | Mr. Michael E. Weaver |
| Type | Catholic school |
| Established | 1959 |
| Motto Mascot Colors |
"Viriliter Age" - Act Manfully Monarchs Mauve & Gold |
| Homepage | http://www.damien.edu |
Damien Memorial School is a private Roman Catholic prep-school for young men grades 7-12 located in Kalihi, Oahu, a section of Honolulu, Hawaii. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, the school is sponsored by the Congregation of Christian Brothers and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Contents |
[edit] History & Origins
Soon after the end of World War II, the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu saw the need for a second Catholic School on Oahu. Enrollment at Saint Louis was increasing, and the Diocese decided to build another school to accommodate the growing student population.
While Saint Louis honored King Louis IX of France, who had led two crusades, Honolulu Bishop James J. Sweeney looked closer to home for inspiration. He found it in Father Damien de Veuster and decided that naming the new school in his memory would be a fitting tribute to a great man. It would also provide a strong Christian role model for young men to emulate.
The Houghtailing Family in Kalihi-Palama had offered their family estate to the Diocese for a nominal price. One interesting anecdote concerned the family grave sites on the property. All were relocated to cemeteries except one that could not be found. Houghtailing's wife, Eliza, had her grave hidden so that she would always be home. School President Br. Greg O'Donnell, who retired from his position in 2007, believes that the grave is still somewhere buried on campus.
The Congregation of Christian Brothers, students, and parents volunteered to turn the land, which included four acres of taro patches and a good deal of uneven swampland into a school campus, because the company that started the construction on Damien went bankrupt.
Damien was the 50th High School in the 50th state when it opened three years after state hood in 1962. Tuition for the 180 boys who first entrolled was $250. Today, More than 580 young men attend Damien.
Taken from The Companies We Keep by Bob Sigall and his students at Hawaii Pacific University.
[edit] Damien Memorial Middle School
Damien Memorial School is now open for young men grades 7 and 8.
[edit] The Damien Tradition
Damien Memorial High School thrives on traditions and values of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. By creating a learning environment where both teachers and peers instill in students the drive towards accomplishment and exemplifying Viriliter Age (act manfully) to the highest degree.
[edit] Damien Alma Mater
Damien Alma Mater
Tender, true and bold
Proudly in the heavens
Gleams thy Mauve & Gold
Glory’s mantle cloaks thee
God our guide is nigh
And our hearts forever
Love thee Damien High
And our hearts forever
Praise thee Damien High
[edit] Notable Graduates
No notable graduates.
