WAIMEA — Like the Hokulea which started on its world journey last week, 140 graduates of Waimea High School set sail on the journey of life Friday. Hampered by the inclement weather which blew in from the south, the graduates
WAIMEA — Like the Hokulea which started on its world journey last week, 140 graduates of Waimea High School set sail on the journey of life Friday.
Hampered by the inclement weather which blew in from the south, the graduates displayed the glory of their achievements inside the Clem Gomes Gym with their supporting families and friends filling the gym to capacity.
“We have exceptional scholars,” Waimea High School principal Mahina Anguay said. “We are here to celebrate their achievements. Tonight we have 11 valedictorians (students graduating with GPAs of 4.0, or better), or eight percent. We have three JROTC students who earned national awards and JROTC scholarships valued at between $156,000 to $212,000 each. We have a student, Kiana Pigao, who was recipient of Ferguson Merit.”
Anguay said Pigao was the highest rated of the 10 awards presented.
“We have 16 recipients of the Waialeale Project, the most of any high school,” Anguay said. “Two of the three Grove Farm Scholarship recipients are from Waimea.”
She added the school, in addition to producing talent in music, automotive technology and even a published author in Marley Pereira.
Like the Hokulea, named after the zenith star, Hikianalia is the support vessel, providing critical support, but not sailing together — just far enough back to be there when needed.
Anguay said the graduates are each Hokulea, and families and friends are Hikianalia, providing support when needed as the graduates sail on the unknown course.
“We have students who never give up,” Anguay said. “There were a few, who after a meeting with myself and Breanna Akama, the counselor, will be doing work which enable them to walk with everyone. They never gave up.”
Jody Valente, owner of Kalapaki Joe’s with locations in Lihue, Poipu, Westside, and soon-to-be Kukui Grove, said the Westside is what shaped him.
“I was born and raised in Kekaha,” Valente said. “I don’t know what your turning point is going to be, but mine came when my dad passed. I was 17 years old. I was sad, and hurt, but I had to grow up.”
Valente said what followed was an era of trial and error.
“I haven’t failed,” Valente said. “I have a lot of things which didn’t quite work out, but I haven’t failed.”
He offered the graduates three pieces of advice — be honest, be fair, and be creative — not being afraid to think outside the box and ask a lot of questions.
“If you focus on results, you’ll never change,” Valente said. “If you focus on change, you’ll surely get results.”
Alexys Bermudez, Juliette Cowell, Lani Rae Green, Alex Hashimoto, Regina Miner, Jaclyn Nishihira, Pigao, Melanie Sacro, Sienna Santiago, Tierra Teter and Tyler Yamamoto made up the field of 11 valedictorians.
“Push the bounds of possible,” the group said. “Commencement means to start, and we are here to celebrate the start of the rest of our lives, not the ending of high school.”
Anguay challenged the graduates.
“Dare to sail,” she said. “And as you sail, remember your roots. Come home after you learn so you can help build the Westside so one day, you can become Hikianalia.”
