View source for Moanalua High School

{{Overly detailed|date=March 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox school
| name = Moanalua High School
| logo = 
| established = 1972
| address = 2825 Ala Ilima Street
| city = [[Honolulu]]
| state = [[Hawaii]]
| zipcode = 96818
| country = USA
| campus_type = [[Suburb]]an
| type = Public 
| affiliation = 
| principal = Robin Martin
| faculty = 121.00 (FTE)<ref name=NCES />
| ratio = 17.06<ref name=NCES />
| students = 2,064 (2022-23)<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=1500030&SchoolPageNum=14&ID=150003000103 Moanalua High School]</ref> 
| grades = 9-12
| accreditation = Western Association of Schools and Colleges
| district = Central District
| mascot = Nā Menehune
| colors = Royal Blue and Silver{{Color box|royalblue|border=darkgray}} {{Color box|Silver|border=darkgray}} 
| newspaper = Nā Hōkū O Moanalua
| yearbook = Ke Ali'i
| motto = "''Kulia I Ka Nu'u''"
| athletics = Oahu Interscholastic Association
| rival = [[Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School]]
| free_label_1 = Military
| free_1 = United States Air Force JROTC
| website = {{official website|http://www.moanaluahs.org/}}
}}
'''Moanalua High School''' (also known as '''MoHS'''<ref>to differentiate itself from '''MHS''', the abbreviation associated with McKinley High School and Mililani High School</ref>) is a [[Public school (government funded)|public]], [[Coeducation|co-educational]] [[college|college preparatory]] [[high school]] of the [[Hawaii State Department of Education|Hawai{{okina}}i State Department of Education]], located in [[Honolulu CDP]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st15_hi/place/p1571550_urban_honolulu/DC10BLK_P1571550_000.pdf|title=2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Urban Honolulu CDP, HI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2020-10-08}} - The area with the school is on [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/GUBlock/st15_hi/place/p1571550_urban_honolulu/DC10BLK_P1571550_004.pdf page 4].</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moanaluahs.org/|title=Home|publisher=Moanalua High School|access-date=2020-10-08|quote=2825 Ala Ilima Street Honolulu, HI 96818}}</ref> [[City & County of Honolulu]], [[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]].

Serving grades nine through twelve and established in 1972, Moanalua High School is located in [[suburb]]an [[Salt Lake, Hawaii|Salt Lake]] near [[Moanalua]]. Its first class graduated in 1975. The school is situated on an extinct [[volcano]] hillside overlooking [[downtown Honolulu]] at 2825 Ala {{okina}}Ilima Street.  The campus boasts the copper sculpture ''Moanalua'' by [[Bumpei Akaji]] and the ceramic sculpture ''Silent Sounds'' by [[Shigeharu Yamada]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moanalua, (sculpture). |url=https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1742PU75A7215.14862&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!301922~!0&ri=3&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=moanalua&index=.GW&uindex=&aspect=Keyword&menu=search&ri=3 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=siris-artinventories.si.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Silent Sounds, (sculpture). |url=https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1742PU75A7215.14862&menu=search&aspect=Keyword&npp=50&ipp=20&spp=20&profile=ariall&ri=4&source=~!siartinventories&index=.GW&term=silent+sounds&x=0&y=0&aspect=Keyword |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=siris-artinventories.si.edu}}</ref> As of 2016, its attendance boundary includes [[Fort Shafter]], the housing at [[Tripler Army Medical Center]], and portions of the [[Aliamanu Military Reservation]].<ref name="Schoollist">{{cite web|url=https://hawaii.armymwr.com:443/application/files/9014/9327/0453/Hawaii_School_Information_SLO.pdf|title=Hawaii School Information School Year 2016-2017|publisher=Army Family and MWR Hawaii|page=4/5|access-date=2024-10-28}}</ref>

Moanalua High School is accredited by the [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges]] and has achieved the maximum accreditation term of six years, 2012-2018 and once again in 2019-2024.

Robin Martin heads the school as [[Principal (school)|principal]].

==Origins==
Before the school was built, the land was an ''ahupua''. An ''[[Ahupuaa|ahupua{{okina}}a]]'' in [[ancient Hawaii|ancient Hawai{{okina}}i]] was a parcel of land that stretched from the mountain to the sea. The ahupua{{okina}}a of Moanalua was the property of wealthy landowner [[Samuel M. Damon]].

Previous to Damon's ownership of the Salt Lake ahupua{{okina}}a, the volcanic hillside on which Moanalua High School sits was used by [[native Hawaiians]] in the [[Hawaiian religion]]. As one of the highest points overlooking what would later become the city of Honolulu, the volcanic hillside was revered as a place where the faithful could be closer to the ancestral spirits and gods. It also served as a sacred altar as late as the reign of [[Kamehameha V|King Kamehameha V]].{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} The volcanic hillside's religious value was neglected during the urban development after statehood in 1959.

Moanalua High School adopted the [[menehune]] as their mascot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolante |first=Ronna |date=2010-03-15 |title=High School in Hawai‘i: An Inside Story |url=https://www.honolulumagazine.com/high-school-an-inside-story/ |access-date=2025-08-06 |website=Honolulu Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> In Hawaiian mythology, the Menehune are said to be a people, sometimes described as dwarfs in size, who live in the deep forests and hidden valleys of the Hawaiian Islands, far from the eyes of normal humans. The menehune are believed to have a special relationship with the gods and credited with building dams, temples and other structures throughout the [[Hawaiian Islands]].

==Admissions==
To attend the school, students must be within the attendance zone or apply for a geographic exception. In May 2012, the school admitted about 500-600 students from outside of the attendance zone.<ref name="HillTiffanyTaleIolani">{{cite web |last=Hill |first=Tiffany |date=May 2012 |title=From Iolani School to Moanalua High School: A Parents' Tale |url=http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/May-2012/From-Iolani-School-to-Moanalua-High-School-A-Parents-Tale/ |access-date=2020-10-07 |work=[[Honolulu Magazine]]}}</ref> A lottery is used to determine which out of boundary students are admitted. In an article for the [[Honolulu Advertiser]], staff writer James Gosner wrote that the admissions process was "nail bitting".<ref name="Gonser">{{cite web |last=Gonser |first=James |date=2004-06-03 |title=School's focus on quality pays off in student achievement |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jun/03/ln/ln24a.html |access-date=2020-10-08 |newspaper=[[Honolulu Advertiser]]}}</ref>

==Academics==
The school's academics have been praised by different news outlets. In May 2012, Tiffany Hill of ''[[Honolulu Magazine]]'' wrote that the school had "high-caliber programs" and a strong<!--Hill doesn't use the word directly but it is implied--> curriculum.<ref name="HillTiffanyTaleIolani" /> In addition, she also stated that some programs are "nationally recognized".<ref name="HillTiffanyTaleTwop4">{{cite web |last=Hill |first=Tiffany |date=May 2012 |title=A Tale of Two Schools in Hawaii |url=http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/May-2012/A-Tale-of-Two-Schools-in-Hawaii/ |access-date=2020-10-07 |work=[[Honolulu Magazine]] |page=[http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/May-2012/A-Tale-of-Two-Schools-in-Hawaii/index.php?cparticle=4&siarticle=3#artanc 4]}}</ref> In 2004, James Gonser of the ''[[Honolulu Advertiser]]'' wrote that the school had "A reputation for success".<ref name="Gonser" /> He also wrote that "[the school's] many success stories" originated from the "personal attention" and "choices" provided by the school's employees to the students.<ref name="Gonser" />

Per the [[Hawaii State Department of Education|Hawaii Department of Education]], the school utlilizes Common Core Standards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subject Matter Standards – Hawaiʻi State Department of Education |url=https://hawaiipublicschools.org/academics/subject-matter-standards/?highlight=common%20core |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=hawaiipublicschools.org}}</ref> As of 2024, the school is ranked  #1,618 nationally and #3 in Hawaii High Schools, Honolulu, HI Metro High Schools, and Hawaii Department of Education High Schools on [[U.S. News & World Report]].<ref name="f878">{{cite web |date=1970-01-01 |title=Moanalua High School in Honolulu, HI |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/hawaii/districts/hawaii-department-of-education/moanalua-high-school-6157 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=US News Best High Schools}}</ref> On [[GreatSchools|GreatSchools.org]], the school has a ranking of 8/10.

Per the Board of Education, the school requires four credits in [[English studies|English]], four credits in [[social studies]], three credits in [[Mathematics education|mathematics]], three credits in [[Science education|science]], two credits in either [[world language]], [[Fine art|fine arts]], or [[Career and Technical Education|Career Technical Education]], one credit in [[physical education]], half a credit in [[Health education|health]], and half a credit for the Personal Transition Plan (PTP), for a total of 24 credits.<ref name="q8993">{{cite web |title=2024 Course Registration Catalog |url=https://www.moanaluahs.org/ourpages/auto/2022/3/15/40772712/2025-27%20Registration%20Course%20Catalog.pdf?rnd=1736024882726 |access-date=2025-03-16}}</ref>

For dual-credit, the school offers Advanced Placement and [[Running Start]] classes. Between 2024 and 2026, the school will offer a total of 17 AP classes. These include courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and regular electives. These are [[AP Literature]], [[AP Language and Composition]], [[AP Calculus|AP Calculus AB or AC]], [[AP Biology]], [[AP Chemistry]], [[AP Physics]], [[AP Environmental Science]], [[AP Psychology]], [[AP Macroeconomics|AP Macro Economy]], [[AP Microeconomics|AP Micro Economy]], [[AP Chinese Language and Culture|AP Chinese]], [[AP Computer Science]], [[AP Japanese Language and Culture|AP Japanese]], [[AP Seminar]], [[AP Spanish]], [[AP Art and Design|AP Studio Art 2D or 3D]], and [[AP Capstone#AP Research|AP Research]].<ref name="q8993" /> As of the 2021-2022 school year, the school has an AP participation rate of 42%, with 29% passing the [[Advanced Placement exams|exam]].<ref name="f878" /> Running Start is offered at [[Leeward Community College]], which is a part of the [[University of Hawaiʻi]] system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Running Start |url=https://www.hawaii.edu/dualcredit/running-start/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Dual Credit |language=en}}</ref>

The Career and Academic Planning (CAP) program oversees career education classes, which are considered an advisory period. Beginning in 1997, each CAP class runs for 35 minutes, with each student taking at least one each week.<ref name="HillTiffanyTaleTwop5">{{cite web|last=Hill|first=Tiffany|url=http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/May-2012/A-Tale-of-Two-Schools-in-Hawaii/|title=A Tale of Two Schools in Hawaii|work=[[Honolulu Magazine]]|date=May 2012|page=[http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/May-2012/A-Tale-of-Two-Schools-in-Hawaii/index.php?cparticle=5&siarticle=4#artanc 5]|access-date=2020-10-07}}</ref>

==Enrollement and demographics==
In May 2012 the school had about 2,010 pupils.<ref name=HillTiffanyTaleIolani/> The students tend to have a higher socioeconomic profile.<ref name=HillTiffanyTaleTwop4/>

The following table represents the number of enrolled students from the years 2003 to 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=School Status and Improvement Report|url=http://arch.k12.hi.us/school/ssir/ssir.html|website=Accountability and Resource Center Hawaii|publisher=Hawaii State Department of Education|access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 2003
! 2004
! 2005
! 2006
! 2007
! 2008
! 2009
! 2010
! 2011
! 2012
! 2013
! 2014
|-
| 2,022
| 2,005
| 2,016
| 2,016
| 1,958
| 2,017
| 2,102
| 2,086
| 2,010
| 2,200
| 2,100
| 1,999
|-
|}

As of the 2023-2024 school year, the school has an enrollment of 1,933 students. Of this, 32% of the students were considered [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 25% were considered [[Filipino Americans|Filipino]], 9% were considered [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]], 8% were considered [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 7% were considered [[African Americans|Black]], and 2% were considered [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]. 24% of the population were considered [[Disadvantaged|economically disadvantaged]], 7% were considered [[Special education in the United States|special education]], and 4% were considered [[English as a second or foreign language|English learners]].

==Athletics==
In 2004, the school offered 50 sports. That year, about 800 students participated in them.<ref name="Gonser" />

In the year of Moanalua High School's founding, its athletics department joined the Hawaii High School Athletics Association.  The school competes in the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA), an athletic conference of public schools on the island of O{{okina}}ahu. As of the 2024-2025 school year, Moanalua competes in a variety of sports including [[air riflery]], [[ten-pin bowling|bowling]], [[Competitive cheerleader|cheerleading]], [[cross country running|cross country]], [[American football|football]], [[soft tennis]], [[softball]], [[volleyball]], [[basketball]], [[paddling]], [[soccer]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[tennis]], [[scholastic wrestling|wrestling]], [[baseball]], [[flag football]], [[golf]], [[judo]], [[track & field]], and [[water polo]].

=== State championships ===
<ref>{{cite web |title=Team Champions |url=https://www.moanaluahs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=432947&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=792099 |publisher=Moanalua High School |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>
* Basketball, Boys' - 1996, 1997
* Bowling, Boys' - 1985, 1990, 2004
* Golf, Girls' - 2006
* Golf, Boys' - 2012, 2016, 2018
* Competitive Cheerleading - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2018
* Track, Girls' - 1994
* Wrestling, Boys' - 2022
* Wrestling, Girls' - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2022
* Judo, Boys' - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2022
* Judo, Girls' - 2018, 2019, 2022
* Air Riflery, Boys' - 2016, 2017, 2019

==Music program==
The Moanalua High School music program is operated by the school's music department. The program offers a variety of ensembles, including a [[Marching Band]], Symphonic Wind Ensemble, [[Symphony Orchestra]], [[Symphonic Band]], Concert Orchestra, [[Concert Choir]], [[Choir|Chorus]], [[Jazz ensemble|Jazz Ensemble]], and [[Concert Band]]. In 2007, the [[Concert Strings]] ensemble was introduced, which expanded the department's offerings and provided students with the opportunity to explore string instruments. The school also offers programs in [[piano]] and [[ukulele]]. These groups, however, do not perform. The program is supported by the Moanalua High School Boosters Association. In May 2012, in an article for the [[Honolulu Magazine]], Tiffany Hill wrote that the orchestra was well reputed.<ref name=HillTiffanyTaleIolani/>

===Marching band===
The Moanalua High School Menehune Marching Band is a [[marching band]] program with an established record as being one of the top and largest marching bands in Hawaii. The band is led by directors Elden Seta, Rhona Barbosa, Cavin Takesue and Todd Oshima.<ref name="Menehune">{{Cite web|url= http://www.mohsmusic.com/programs/marchingband.htm|title="Menehune" Marching Band & Color Guard|access-date=2021-10-08|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211008062930/http://www.mohsmusic.com/programs/marchingband.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date=2021-10-08}}</ref>

The x member program holds its own marching festival each year, which is known as the Menehune Classic. It also competes in other annual competitions such as the Kamehameha Tournament of Bands, Mililani Trojan Band Fest, the OIA Festival, and the Rainbow Invitational. It usually marches in at least one parade each year, such as the [[Aloha Week]] parade, and is frequently invited to march in out-of-state parades such as the [[Tournament of Roses Parade]].<ref name="Menehune" />

The marching band traveled to Osaka, Japan, to march in the Osaka Midosuji Parade. In 2009, the band traveled to Arizona to participate in the Fiesta Bowl Parade.<ref name="Menehune" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mohsmusic.com/main/repertoire.pdf|title=Repertoire|access-date=2021-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223104/http://www.mohsmusic.com/main/repertoire.pdf|archive-date=2018-12-15}}</ref>

=== Symphony orchestra ===
The Moanalua High School Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra consisting of hand picked students from grades 9 to 12. The symphony orchestra was the first student orchestra to be invited to perform at New York's [[Carnegie Hall]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mohs.k12.hi.us/open-seta.html |publisher=Moanalua High School |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013162333/http://www.mohs.k12.hi.us/open-seta.html |archive-date=October 13, 2006|title=Elden Seta -- Milken Education Award Winner, 2003! }}</ref>  The symphony orchestra were invited to perform again on March 20, 2005 at the Isaac Stern Auditorium, in which they received a [[standing ovation]] where audience members reportedly yelled, "Good job, Hawai{{okina}}i!"<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vorsino|first1=Mary|title=Moanalua hits high note on trip|url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/03/21/news/story6.html|publisher=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|date=21 March 2005}}</ref>

=== Performing arts center ===
In 2013, the school completed and dedicated the first phase of a new performing arts facility, which resulted in the construction of a new band room.<ref>{{cite web |title=New music building dedicated |url=http://moanaluahigh.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-music-building-dedicated.html |publisher=Moanalua High School}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center |url=http://www.wilsonokamoto.com/project/moanalua-high-school-performing-arts-center/ |publisher=Wilson Okamoto Corporation}}</ref> In 2018, phase two was completed, which added an auditorium with a music library, rehearsal and instruction spaces, storage rooms, and other facilities for the school's music and drama departments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=moanaluahs |url=https://www.constructorshawaii.com/moanaluahs |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Constructors Hawaii Inc. {{!}} Honolulu-Based General Contractors |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019, Moanalua High School began construction of the Performing Arts Center, which opened on March 12, 2021. The facility includes a 694-seat auditorium with advanced audio-visual systems and LED lighting. It also provides rehearsal and instructional spaces for music and drama programs, including a dance and choral room, storage areas, and a music library.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moanalua High School Performing Arts Center page |url=https://www.moanaluahs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?pREC_ID=947260&type=d&uREC_ID=494605}}</ref> The property was a part of [[American School & University]]'s 2021 Architectural Portfolio.

The center was built to accommodate the increasing number of students in the school's music and performing arts programs. Prior to its construction, concerts were often sold out due to limited seating capacity. The center had been planned for over 20 years. The facility serves both Moanalua High School students and the wider community, providing a venue for various cultural and educational events.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hawaii Public Schools press release |url=https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Moanalua-High-School-opens-new-Performing-Arts-Center.aspx}}</ref> The property was built after the first and second phases of a performing arts facility were built.

The project was initiated in 2019, with groundbreaking ceremonies held in April of that year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Moanalua High School Music site |url=https://mohsmusic.com/?p=1755}}</ref>

==JROTC==
The school has an Air Force [[JROTC]]; in 2004 it was the largest such program in Hawaii.<ref name=Gonser/>

==Notable alumni==
*[[Angela Perez Baraquio]] (1994), Miss America 2001<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-11-03 |title=NOH Place Like Home: Moanalua High School |url=https://www.khon2.com/cover2/throwback-thursday/noh-place-like-home-moanalua-high-school/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=KHON2 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite web|url=http://starbulletin.com/2004/03/29/features/story2.html|title=Hawaii's Schools Moanalua High School|newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]|date=2004-03-29}} - Includes several articles written by students

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.moanaluahs.org/}}
* [https://hawaiipublicschools.org/schools/moanalua-high/ District website]

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{{Honolulu}}
{{Education in Honolulu County, Hawaii}}
{{Oahu Interscholastic Association}}

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[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1972]]
[[Category:Public high schools in Honolulu]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in Hawaii]]