Kahuku High School continues its tradition of staging a rousing graduation ceremony

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The Kuhuku High school seniors begin their performance during their graduation.

This is the time of year when high school seniors take the next big step in their lives. Millions of young people take part in their graduation ceremonies.

Several years ago I stumbled upon a video showing the commencement ceremonies of Kahuku High School located in the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. We continue that tradition this year.

Initially, what caught my attention was the student body population, dominated by Asians, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders -- a welcome contrast to most mainland high schools.

FYI: For the complete gradution ceremony, click here. Skip the speeches and songs and  begin at the 1:37 mark.

What also surprised me was the passion and pride of the senior class and the 100% participation in song and choreography for thl event they'll remember for the rest of their lives. Again, that was a comoplete contrast to the high school I attended where being cool was not showing honest emotion and showing enthusiasm was looked as too rah-rah.

The Kahuku graduation ceremonies took place May 18. It culiminated with a rousing haka led by Alisha GAleiia, the first female student to lead traditional haka.

The student population of Kahuku High & Intermediate School is 1,353 and the school serves 7-12.

The singing and dancing tradition began in 1995 when current Principal Pauline Masania was a teacher and the senior class advisor.

Initially, she worried that the students wouldn't buy into particcipatio but she was surprised at the solidarity that developed among the different cliques that develop in high school.

 “Sometimes you have some kids, for them, it’s really out of the comfort zone. They don’t give it their whole heart. But as I watch the practices, I thought every student is thoroughly enjoying themselves and going all out,” Masaniai told KHON.

The videos of the cseremonies continue to go viral. Other schools have contacted her thoping to do something similar at their their high schools. The graduation ceremony was even eatured on the Today show.

Sena Fonoimoana was a graduating senior in 2001 He helped cchoreographed his claass's commencement and has been doing ever sice. .

“I’m just blown away at where it is at and where it’s gotten,” Fonoimoana told KHON. “This is just timing for this class with social media now, the way it is so… It’s been here for a while and we’re just trying to carry on the tradition or just grateful it’s at the stage and the kids realize I can make a positive effect.”

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