Kauai High School

The hill above Nāwiliwili was called Ke Kuhiau, which translates as "high point," and it was one of three heiau located near Kalapakī Bay. The residence of Governor Paul Kanoa stood there before annexation, and later it became the courthouse and county offices. When new county buildings were built on Rice Street, Kauaʻi High School was established on top of the hill.[2]

Kauaʻi High School was founded in 1914. On April 30, 1913, The Governor of the Territory of Hawaii signed into law Act 160 to establish "the Kauai High School." On September 14, 1914, Kauaʻi High School opened its doors in the renovated courthouse as the fifth high school of the Territory of Hawaii and the first high school on the island of Kauaʻi.[3]

The securing of this site and plant for high school purposes was brought about mainly by the efforts of the parents who had been supporting the private school in the yard of the Lihue Union Church. The high school was organized as a public institution. This made it available for all eligible students throughout the county. In addition the old private school was affiliated with the high school and partly maintained by tuition fees paid by those who attended: hence the name, Kauai High and Grammar School.

When Kauaʻi High School opened in 1914, it was just a little over a month after the outbreak of World War I. There were seven in attendance that year. Only one of these remained to graduate. The next year seven more entered. For each of the following three years, about twice that number came in. In 1919, 29 entered. Seven students graduated in 1919; numbers climbed to about 100 per class in the 1930s. During the '20s and '30s, some students lived in private dormitories, bungalows were built as classes were added, sports were introduced and students enjoyed dances and theatrical performances. The original school building was torn down in 1931, and the gym (still in use today) was built in 1939.

The '60s was a time when students were encouraged to "do your own thing," and Kauaʻi High was a part of that approach to life. Clubs, activities and committees seemed limitless, and at Kauaʻi High School that was just the beginning. They had added numerous clubs, like the National Thespian Society, Explorer Post, Y-Club and lots more. Kauaʻi High School had about 190 seniors in the '60s. As the '70s rolled in, the school's senior class grew to 249 students, and more clubs, activities, sports and classes were added. A homemade dynamite bomb was found in the "K" building boys' restroom and fortunately was defused. The old "A" building was torn down, and there were plans to build a new, two-story, 12-classroom building. In the 1970s they built the cafeteria, library, administration building, "K" building and the swimming pool.

Kauaʻi High greeted the '80s after a statewide, six-week strike that left classrooms uncleaned, lunches unprepared and, later, the school unopened. The decade also started with the construction of "A" building. The new "A" building was much needed; the 11-classroom building would house new special classrooms designed for science, business, and home economics.[4]

In 1998 the six-period day was abandoned in favor of block scheduling, and in 2000 the intermediate grades went to Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. Since then, there has been no new construction, but in 2003 the campus was given a facelift.

The campus sits on approximately four acres off Lala Road and has sweeping views of Kalapakī Bay and Nāwiliwili Harbor. Among the facilities are an athletic field, gym, and swimming pool.

The campus also boasts the bronze sculpture Reflections by Bumpei Akaji, the resin relief mural The Struggle by Joseph Hadley, the ceramic fountain Ka Hoʻo Mau by Wayne Miyata, and the mixed media sculpture Kauai Ola by Ken Shutt.

The school emphasizes a student-centered educational program that nurtures students and recognizes that students have different interests, cultures/religions and learning rates.

"Our students will be prepared for the challenges of their future by becoming LITERATE, RESPONSIBLE, and CONTRIBUTING members of society." [3]

• Sonya Balmores (2004) Miss Teen USA runner-up (2004), actress, model
• Micah Solusod (2008) voice actor and artist
• Spark Matsunaga (1934) United States Senator 1977 - 1990, House of Representatives 1963 - 1977
• Eric Shinseki (1960) US Army 4-star general, Joint Chiefs of Staff 1999 - 2003, 34th Army Chief of Staff, 7th US Secretary of Veterans Affairs
• David Ishii (1973) professional golfer, 1990 Hawaiian Open champion, 1990 Masters tournament participant, 1988 US Open, British Open, and PGA Championship participant
• Val Okimoto member of Hawaii House of Representatives
• Guy Yamamoto (1979) golfer, 1994 United States Amateur Public Links champion, 1995 Masters tournament participant
• Dain Kane (1980) University of Hawaiʻi swimming team member, Politician, Maui County Councilmember 1999 - 2006
• Bernard Soriano (1980) University of California, Davis college football player, NASA astronaut finalist, California state government official
• Glenn Medeiros (1988) recording artist, President, St. Louis School, (announced April 23, 2015)
• Tyler Yates (1995) Major League Baseball player (New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates)
• Kirby Yates (2005) Major League Baseball player (Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres)

• Kauai High School Alumni Directory 2002, William McCluskey, Principal (1918–1921).

• Kauai High School Foundation
• Kauai High School Alumni
• New School Site in the Works
• Kauai High School Key Club
• Kauai High School Leo Club