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Lahainaluna High School

Motto	O Keia Ke Kukui Pio'ole I Ka Makani O Kaua'ula
Established	1831
Type	Public Secondary School
Principal	Michael Nakano
Students	1038
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, White and Black
Mascot	"Lunas"
Website	http://lahainaluna.k12.hi.us/index.html

Lahainaluna High School is a grade 9-12 school located in Lahaina (on the island of Maui), Hawaii. It is the oldest post-secondary school west of the Rocky Mountains. 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. A number of the pioneers are buried in a small grave yard. It was the first school founded in Hawaii and has remained in operation since.

History and traditions

The missionary station in Lahaina was established by William Richards in 1823. In June 1831 Lorrin Andrews was chosen as first principal of a seminary. The site, coordinates 20°53′19″N 156°39′33″W / 20.88861°N 156.65917°W / 20.88861; -156.65917Coordinates: 20°53′19″N 156°39′33″W / 20.88861°N 156.65917°W / 20.88861; -156.65917, was named Lahainaluna for "upper Lahaina".^[1] On September 5, 1831 classes began in thatched huts with 25 Hawaiian young men including former royal historian David Malo.^[2] The post-secondary program later became part of the first University of Hawaii.

Lahainaluna has a boarding program where students from the outer islands (including students from the "other side of the island") can live and study at either of the campus dormitories. In return, they work 18 hours per week doing various jobs around the campus. Initially and exclusively for males, the boarding program became coed in 1980. The two dorms are David Malo Dormitory for the boys and Hoapili Dormitory 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 Pu'u Pa'u Pa'u in the shape of an 'L'. On the L is the year and number of athletic championships won the previous year. On a clear day, the freshly limed L can be seen from the island of Molokai. It is located at coordinates 20°53′15″N 156°38′30″W / 20.8875°N 156.64167°W / 20.8875; -156.64167.

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

Hale Paʻi

Hale Pa'i
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Front page of 1834 student newspaper
Location:	Lahainaluna High School, Lahainaluna, Hawaii
Coordinates:	20°53′19″N 156°39′33″W / 20.88861°N 156.65917°W / 20.88861; -156.65917Coordinates: 20°53′19″N 156°39′33″W / 20.88861°N 156.65917°W / 20.88861; -156.65917
Built/Founded:	1834
Governing body:	State
Added to NRHP:	May 13, 1976
NRHP Reference#:	76000662[3]

Hale Pa'i, or the house of printing, is a small coral and timber building on the Lahainaluna campus that, starting in 1834, served as the home of Hawaii's first printing press. English and Hawaiian language books and newspapers were printed here, including the first newspaper printed West of the Rocky Mountains. The first paper currency of Hawaii was printed here in 1843, and a student was expelled in 1844 for counterfeiting, causing all the paper money to be re-issued with secret marks.^[4]

A map of the islands on the one dollar bill, ho'okahi dala, printed in 1843 at the school press

Many archived publications are on public display at the site, now a museum maintained by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.^[5] Hale Pa'i, also known as Hawaii Site No. 50-03-1596, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.^[3]

Campus

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. The campus boasts the ceramic sculpture Orbit by Toshiko Takaezu. 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.

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.

Notable alumni

• David Malo, Class of 1835 - Native Hawaiian scholar, Hawaii's first superintendent of schools, Advisor to the Hawaiian royal family^[6] and namesake to the boy's dorm and the festival held at campus annually (described above)
• Samuel Kamakau, Class of 1837 - Native Hawaiian historian and scholar
• Keali'i Reichel, Class of 1980 - Award winning, internationally renowned Hawaiian music artist^[7]

Organizations

School Clubs:

• Anime Club - One of the more social interactive clubs on campus that brings students together with the culture and interest of anime.
• Aloha Club - A club that is involved in community service projects.
• Interact Club - A club is involved in community service projects, but on a more international scale the club is currently headed by President Saumalu Mata'afa.
• Japanese Club - A club that teaches students the culture of Japan both traditional and modern.
• Chess Club - A freelance club holds occasional casual games of chess where students can participate.
• Drama Guild - A club dedicated to studying all fields of the performing arts such as acting, singing, directing, writing, and dancing founded by President Katrina Chavez, Vice President Jessica Vernoy and Secretary Sydney Thompson. The Drama Guild is currently undergoing some minor difficulties and will "reform" soon.
• Water Polo Club - A COED club ment for water polo players and swimmers.

References

External links

• Lahainaluna High School Official web site
• Lahainaluna High School Hawaii Department of Education School Information
• "Hale Pa'i House". Lahaina Restoration Foundation web site. http://www.lahainarestoration.org/halepai.html. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
• Lahainaluna High School Music Department web site

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