Congratulations to the 256 seniors who graduated in the Kahuku High Class of 2008 on May 29. Once again, Kahuku's commencement ceremony, held in the BYU-Hawaii Cannon Activities Center, proved truly unique.

For example, the floral decorations and stage set up were impressive; the crowd arrived early, toting loads of lei, gifts, balloons, signs, some very large pictures of individual grads and, of course, cameras of all kinds.

During the processional entry of the graduates, the senior class officers — Marie Jeanne Napaa, president; Phoebe Arnett and Jordan Bridges, VPs; Brianne Huddy and Margie Mahe, secretaries; and Naysha Alo and Leilani Tafuna, treasurers — greeted each of their classmates. This year the boys wore white with a red shoulder sash, and the girls wore red with a white sash.

Bridges and Shealei Burke [pictured below] welcomed a long list of school, government, community, BYUH, PCC, and special visitors, teachers of all kinds and parents.

Seven valeditorians

This year's seven valedictorians — Ana Reidy, Nicholas Sirlin, Kristian Au, Tiffany Polk, Amanda Stratton, Carlyn Hubner and Samantha Thee — spoke.

For example, Sirlin thanked those "who could have been at home watching the season finale of 'Lost' for supporting us; and Au quoted the wisdom of Dr. Seuss: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." Thee recalled attending her first Kahuku graduation when she was in the 8th grade, and spoke of "the value of being a Red Raider" — such as a track team that won despite the conditions of our field. Another remember carrying "huge backpacks and always [being] in a hurry."

Over $1.75 million in scholarships

Next, faculty and staff readers listed the names of Kahuku students who had collected an impressive number of scholarships and awards totaling more than $1.75 million — with more still to come.

These included the school's traditionally significant Red Raider Awards, which are funded by the James Campbell Foundation and are traditionally announced for the first time during commencement:

The valedictorians; Scholar-Athletes Paipai Falemalu and Gina Ahue; Outstanding Red Raiders, Ana Reidy and Samantha Thee; Service, Maylene Haiola and To'atautali Hill; Leadership, Marie Jeanne Napaa and Jacob Kanawai Cabrinha; Activities, Tania Latu and Phoebe Arnett; I Dare You, Wailani Soren, Krystlyn Lorenzo and Kealii Latuselu; and the Principal's Awards, Menima Fesola'i and Kristian Au.

The Hamashige Family Endowment Scholarships — put together in honor of the parents who sent their kids to Kahuku in the 1940s and the legacy they created — went this year to Kristian Au, Carlyn Hubner, Samantha Thee, Nicholas Sirlin, Che Wei Hsu, Wen Ying Lin, Elizabeth Ramirez and Sarah Lowe.

The Hamashige Endowment also recognizes a teacher of the year, with the 2008 award going to Japanese language instructor Mark Woolsey.

Class president's address

Napaa [pictured at left] shared "three critical words" with her classmates: "Get a job!" Then, holding a white towel up, said at times she had wanted to "throw it in" — surrender — "and at other times choke people with it."

"The strong love and support we feel for each other creates an unbreakable bond," she continued, recognizing the contributions of their class advisors, Wendy Wells and Nate Blevins and Project Grad chair and co-chair Elisa Jeannette Napaa and Vatau Bridges. "We appreciate these two wonderful teachers…and a warm and sincere thank you to our beautiful principal, Ms. Lisa DeLong, for all her support and sacrifices."

Napaa also recognized Lea Albert, DOE Complex Area Superintendent and former Kahuku High principal, for her "love and support through the years."

"Our senior year has come to a close, and we will go our separate ways," she said. "To my classmates, be safe and be wise; to everyone else, never ever underestimate the Class of 2008" — the theme this year's graduates chose.

Napaa then led off the senior medley of songs with a Tahitian dance dedicated to the late Tui Hunkin Vanisi; but their rendition of "Thriller" and the Samoan "sasa" really tuned up the audience for what came next as the individual members of the class received their diplomas.

The real fun begins…

Those unaccustomed to Kahuku High graduations may be surprised at the sheer level of noise, excitement, audience and graduate participation, and over-the-top enthusiasm that accompanies most seniors receiving their diplomas.

For example, among the many exuberant displays, Kaleo noted lots of blaring air horns, frequent and various forms of the shaka sign, celebratory dances in diverse styles, picking up the presenters, jubilant shouts, hugs both modest [pictured at right with Mrs. Wendy Wells] and engulfing, thrown and blown kisses; several rather awesome gymnastic moves including a flying toe touch, back flip and one-arm flip; a curtsy and leaping heel-click,  moonwalking and more — all of which drew increased response from both grads and the audience. And then there were the extra-long Polynesian names… 

Finally, after each senior held his or her diploma in hand, DeLong officially presented them to Lea Albert [pictured below], who declared the Class of 2008 "now and forever graduates of Kahuku High," setting off another round of jubilation among the graduates — some of whom sent their mortar board caps flying into the air.

Mountains of lei 

Before the commencement ceremony ended, Napaa again thanked "parents, family and community members for sharing the graduation with us." Then the seniors — led by their cheerleaders, with pompoms — sang Kahuku's "Alma Mater" one last time as students . . . and soon after they filed outside the CAC to receive the traditional mountains of lei, some in candy and money, other gifts and the love of family and friends. An hour or so later most of them headed out for their Project Grad night of fun and for many, final farewells.

In short, it was a truly unique and another special Kahuku High graduation. Congratulations again, Class of 2008.

— Photos by Leilani Miller

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