Public high schools across the state today announced the dates, times and formats of their respective alternative graduation ceremonies. The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced last week that traditional ceremonies at public and charter schools would be replaced with alternative celebrations for the class of 2020 due to safety concerns and social distancing guidance.
“Determining the appropriate ways to honor our graduating class of 2020 has been one of the top priorities for my leadership team over the past several weeks,” Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami said. “While we are disappointed that traditional commencement ceremonies cannot be held due to COVID-19, the thoughtful innovation and care with which our schools and community partners have come together has been inspirational. Mahalo to all of the individuals and organizations who are continuing to work behind the scenes to make the 2020 graduation ceremonies truly special.”
Schools have started to share logistics details with parents and guardians. An overview of statewide commencement celebrations is below. The list will continue to be updated on the Department’s website as more details become available. For more information, families are encouraged to contact their child’s school directly.
Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area
School
| Date
| Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Kaimuki High
Principal: Jamie Dela Cruz
Senior count: 143
| May 23
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Virtual ceremony streamed and aired on select media outlets.
Security will be in place.
|
McKinley HighPrincipal: Ron Okamura
Senior count: 356
| May 24
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Virtual ceremony will be livestreamed.
Security will be in place.
|
Roosevelt HighPrincipal: Sean Wong
Senior count: 309
| May 20
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Virtual ceremony will be livestreamed.
Security will be in place.
|
Anuenue School
Principal: Christopher Yim
Senior count: 18
| May 23
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
|
|
Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area
School
| Date
| Commencement Model
| Additional Details |
Farrington High Principal: Alfredo Carganilla
Senior count: 556 | May 23
| Virtual.
| Virtual ceremony will be livestreamed and broadcast on select media outlets.
|
Kaiser HighPrincipal: Justin Mew
Senior count: 277
| May 22
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Virtual ceremony streamed via select media outlets.
Security will be in place.
|
Kalani HighPrincipal: Mitchell Otani
Senior count: 304 | May 30
| Virtual.
| Produced video will be streamed via select media outlets.
|
Hawaii School for the Deaf & BlindPrincipal: Kinau Gardner
Senior count: 9 | May 27 | Virtual.
| Livestreamed via select media outlets.
|
Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Leilehua HighPrincipal: Jason Nakamoto
Senior count: 332 | May 22 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Security will be in place. |
Mililani HighPrincipal: Frederick Murphy
Senior count: 638 | May 17 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Waialua High & IntermediatePrincipal: Christine Alexander
Senior count: 100 | May 23 | Drive-in theater program and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Security will be in place. |
Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Aiea HighPrincipal: David Tanuvasa
Senior count: 256 | May 20 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Security will be in place. |
Moanalua HighPrincipal: Robin Martin
Senior count: 510 | May 22-24 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Security will be in place. |
Radford HighPrincipal: James Sunday
Senior count: 294 | May 22 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Pearl City HighPrincipal: Joseph Halfmann
Senior count: 370 | May 30 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Livestreamed via select media outlets.
Security will be in place. |
Waipahu HighPrincipal: Keith Hayashi
Senior count: 607
| May 29 | Virtual.
| Aired on select media outlets.
|
Nanakuli-Waianae Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Nanakuli High & IntermediatePrincipal: Darin Pilialoha
Senior count: 142 | May 31 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Livestreamed via select media outlets.
Security will be in place. |
Waianae HighPrincipal: Disa Hauge
Senior count: 370 | May 22 and May 26-28.
| Virtual on May 22 and drive-through diploma packet pickup from May 26-28.
| Livestreamed via select media outlets.
Security will be in place.
|
Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Campbell HighPrincipal: Jon Henry Lee
Senior count: 687 | May 15 | Virtual.
| Livestreamed via select media outlets. |
Kapolei HighPrincipal: Wesley Shinkawa
Senior count: 460 | May 31 | Virtual.
| Livestreamed via select media outlets.
Security will be in place. |
Castle-Kahuku Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Castle HighPrincipal: Bernadette Tyrell
Senior count: 253 | May 23 | Virtual.
|
|
Kahuku High & IntermediatePrincipal: Donna Lindsey
Senior count: 211 | May 21 | Drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Security will be in place. |
Kailua-Kalaheo Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Kailua HighPrincipal: Stacey Oshio
Senior count: 202 | May 23
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Security will be in place.
|
Kalaheo HighPrincipal: James Rippard
Senior count: 186 | May 26-27
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Security will be in place. |
Olomana SchoolPrincipal: John Secreto
Senior count: 0 |
| No seniors this year. |
|
Kau-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Kau High & Pahala ElementaryPrincipal: Sharon Beck
Senior count: 42 | May 22 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place.
|
Keaau HighPrincipal: Dean Cevallos
Senior count: 233 | May 22 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Pahoa High & IntermediatePrincipal: Darlene Bee
Senior count: 85 | May 24 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Security will be in place.
|
Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Hilo HighPrincipal: Jasmine Urasaki
Senior count: 265
| May 22 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Virtual ceremony will be livestreamed.
Security will be in place.
|
Waiakea High Principal: Kelcy Koga
Senior count: 336 | May 23 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Virtual ceremony will be streamed via select media outlets.
Security will be in place. |
Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Honokaa High and IntermediatePrincipal: Rachelle Matsumura
Senior count: 120 | May 23 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Ke Kula O EhunuikaimalinoPrincipal: Keli‘ikanoe Mahi
Senior count: 10
| May 22
| Diploma-cover pickup.
| |
Kealakehe HighPrincipal: Glenn Gray
Senior count: 229 | May 23 | Virtual. |
|
Kohala HighPrincipal: Amy Stafford
Senior count: 58 | May 23 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Virtual ceremony will be livestreamed.
Security will be in place.
|
Konawaena HighPrincipal: Shawn Suzuki
Senior count: 187 | May 23
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Virtual ceremony will be livestreamed.
Security will be in place.
|
Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Baldwin HighPrincipal: Keoni Wilhelm
Senior count: 292
| May 21
| Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup.
| Livestreamed via select media outlets.
Security will be in place.
|
Kekaulike High Principal: Amy Strand
Senior count: 242 | May 20 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Maui High Principal: Jamie Yap
Senior count: 420 | May 17 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Hana High & ElementaryPrincipal: Christopher Sanita
Senior count: 23 | May 23 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Lahainaluna HighPrincipal: Jeri Dean
Senior count: 209 | May 24 | Virtual and pending details for additional plans.
| Streamed via select media outlets.
Lighting of the "L" on Puʻu Paʻupaʻu on May 24 at 7:30 p.m. |
Lanai High & ElementaryPrincipal: Elton Kinoshita
Senior count: 39 | May 23 | Virtual.
| Seniors will be pre-recorded for graduation video. |
Molokai High Principal: Katina Soares
Senior count: 73 | May 23 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Kapaa-Kauai-Waimea Complex Area
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Kapaa HighPrincipal: Thomas "Tommy" John Cox
Senior count: 234 | May 22 | Virtual and drive-in theatre program followed by diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Kauai HighPrincipal: Marlene Leary
Senior count: 272 | May 22 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Waimea HighPrincipal: Mahina Anguay
Senior count: 155 | May 22 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place. |
Charter Schools
| School | Date | Commencement Model | Additional Details |
Connections PCS
Principal: John Thatcher
Senior count: 26 | TBD | Postponed.
|
|
Hakipuu Learning Center PCSPrincipal: Michael Nakasato
Senior count: 4 | TBD | Postponed. |
|
Halau Ku ManaPrincipal: Keolani Noa
Senior count: 14 | May 23 | Virtual. |
|
Hawaii Technology Academy PCSExecutive Director: Stacey Bobo
Senior count: 122 | May 23
| Grab and Go diploma ceremonies.
|
|
Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science PCSDirector: Steve Hirakami
Senior count: 55 | May 22 | Virtual. |
|
Kamaile Academy Principal: Paul Kepka
Senior count: 31 | May 21 | Virtual. |
|
Kanu O Ka Aina PCSPrincipal: Allyson Tamura
Senior count: 13 | TBD | Virtual. |
|
Kanuikapono PCSPrincipal: Kanoe Ahuna
Senior count: 3 | TBD | Virtual. |
|
Kawaikini PCSPrincipal: Kalae Tanaka
Senior count: 6 |
| Canceled. |
|
Ke Ana Laahana PCSPrincipal: Mapuana Waipa
Senior count: 7 | May 24 | Virtual. |
|
Ke Kula 'o Samuel M. Kamakau PCSDirector: Meahilahila Kelling
Senior count: 2 | May 23 | Virtual. |
|
Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha PCSDirector: Tia Koerte
Senior count: 2 | May 26 | Virtual.
|
|
Kihei Charter School PCSHead of School: Michael Stubbs
Senior count: 48 | May 29 | Virtual. |
|
Kua O Ka La PCSPrincipal: Kapoula Thompson
Senior count: 5 | TBD | Virtual. |
|
Kula Aupuni Niihau PCSDirector: Hedy Sullivan
Senior count: 1 |
| Canceled. |
|
Laupahoehoe Community PCS Director: Kurt Rix
Senior count: 12 | May 22 | Virtual. |
|
Myron Thompson AcademyPrincipal: Diana Oshiro
Senior count: 25 | May 29 | Virtual.
|
|
University Laboratory SchoolPrincipal: A. Keoni Jeremiah
Senior count: 48 | May 22 | Virtual. |
|
West Hawaii Explorations PCSDirector: Heather Nakakura
Senior count: 34 | May 22 | Virtual and drive-through diploma-cover pickup. | Security will be in place.
|
