In 1914, Kaua‘i High School, the island’s first high school, opened for instruction atop Kuhiau Ridge in the newly renovated old Lihu‘e Court House that had once been the official residence of Gov. Paul Kanoa. And five years later, on
In 1914, Kaua‘i High School, the island’s first high school, opened for instruction atop Kuhiau Ridge in the newly renovated old Lihu‘e Court House that had once been the official residence of Gov. Paul Kanoa.
And five years later, on June 27, 1919, its first graduates, the seven classmates of the Class of 1919, were awarded diplomas in ceremonies at the Tip Top Theater (located approximately where the “round building” of the Lihu‘e Civic Center now stands).
Graduate Goon Fong Chock planned to enter Colorado School of Mines; Suekichi Uyeda would seek office work on Kaua‘i; Dorothy K. M. Chock intended to matriculate at the College of Hawai‘i; Margaret Pah On Leong would continue her education at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston; Chicago Technical College had accepted Kenji Horiuchi; Tomo Ouye looked forward to attending a commercial college, and Fusa Mizuno would enter Wilson’s Business College in Seattle.
At the time they graduated, Kaua‘i High School had a staff of 5 teachers and a total of 38 students. The school’s principal was Mr. William McCluskey.
All students were required to take English. The history curriculum consisted of Ancient History, Medieval and Modern History, English History and United States History. Latin and French were offered. Algebra, Plane Geometry, Advanced Algebra and Solid Geometry comprised the college preparatory mathematics courses.
General Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics made up the science curriculum. The school’s chemistry lab was well equipped and biology students made many field excursions.
Commercial courses — bookkeeping, typewriting, shorthand, commercial arithmetic and commercial English — prepared students entering business following graduation.
Kaua‘i High School’s library contained several encyclopedias, reference works, and a growing collection of donated books.
In athletics, the boys baseball and basketball teams played well against off-island competition. Girls competed in basketball.
