Senior Awards Night - May 19, 2026
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Senior Awards Night is an annual celebration that recognizes graduating seniors for their academic achievements, athletic accomplishments, and scholarship awards. The event provides an opportunity to honor students for their hard work and dedication throughout their high school careers. A special component of the evening is the recognition of scholarship recipients. Community organizations, businesses, and donors are invited to attend and personally present scholarships to students, allowing them to share a few words about their organization and investment in the future of our graduates. Senior Awards Night serves as a meaningful celebration of student success while strengthening connections between the school and the community.
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Konawaena High School's First Annual Hiring Blitz - May 19, 2026
The Hiring Blitz was our first annual employment-focused event designed to connect students with local job opportunities and support their postsecondary success. The event was open to students in grades 10–12, with a particular focus on graduating seniors seeking summer, part-time, or full-time employment. Approximately 15 local businesses participated, allowing students to explore career options, learn about available positions, and connect directly with employers. The event was well attended and received positive feedback from both students and businesses, making it a successful first-year initiative that we hope to continue in the future.
Earth Day Celebration - April 22, 2026
Aloha Staff,
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible dedication to our students’ literacy growth. This year has been full of challenges, yet your commitment to pushing reading has truly made a difference. A huge mahalo to everyone who has championed independent reading, promoted myON (your encouragement in getting students to engage with the Renaissance platform has led to measurable growth in our reading data), and to those of you who have supported our Literacy Nights. We successfully hosted four 'Ohana Literacy Nights this year, including our most recent Earth Day celebration. The success of these nights would not have been possible without the hands-on support of our students and community.
Special Shout-outs for our 4th Literacy Night:
The LEO Club & Healthy Leo-Lion Cyber Club: For their tireless work in planning, setup, and running stations. As well as the Lions Club of Kona for their unwavering support and delicious food at the event, without these amazing humans I could not have done all that was accomplished.
Alyssa Tagawa and Mrs. Cruz for their wonderful bookmark station that was a hit with the students.
The Pageant Ladies of Konawaena, current student Lynzee Nakamoto and former student Maiana Taylor for adding a special spark to our community gatherings and for championing reading!
We are also so lucky to have the support of our local community. Thank you to the Konawaena Foundation for their matching grants. The School-Based Health Center for providing resources to our families during these events. Soil Plus Kona for donating the soil that let our students quite literally "dig into" our Earth Day planting kits.
I also want to send a special thank you to the teachers who have reached out with moral support throughout the year. To those of you who showed up to our events even after a long, exhausting day of work, and especially to those who brought your future Wildcats to join the fun, thank you. Your presence and encouragement mean more than you know.
Mahalo nui loa all for being part of this village that supports our readers. Let’s keep this momentum going into the final weeks of the year!
With gratitude,
Karina Hernandez
Literacy Coordinator, Konawaena High School
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible dedication to our students’ literacy growth. This year has been full of challenges, yet your commitment to pushing reading has truly made a difference. A huge mahalo to everyone who has championed independent reading, promoted myON (your encouragement in getting students to engage with the Renaissance platform has led to measurable growth in our reading data), and to those of you who have supported our Literacy Nights. We successfully hosted four 'Ohana Literacy Nights this year, including our most recent Earth Day celebration. The success of these nights would not have been possible without the hands-on support of our students and community.
Special Shout-outs for our 4th Literacy Night:
The LEO Club & Healthy Leo-Lion Cyber Club: For their tireless work in planning, setup, and running stations. As well as the Lions Club of Kona for their unwavering support and delicious food at the event, without these amazing humans I could not have done all that was accomplished.
Alyssa Tagawa and Mrs. Cruz for their wonderful bookmark station that was a hit with the students.
The Pageant Ladies of Konawaena, current student Lynzee Nakamoto and former student Maiana Taylor for adding a special spark to our community gatherings and for championing reading!
We are also so lucky to have the support of our local community. Thank you to the Konawaena Foundation for their matching grants. The School-Based Health Center for providing resources to our families during these events. Soil Plus Kona for donating the soil that let our students quite literally "dig into" our Earth Day planting kits.
I also want to send a special thank you to the teachers who have reached out with moral support throughout the year. To those of you who showed up to our events even after a long, exhausting day of work, and especially to those who brought your future Wildcats to join the fun, thank you. Your presence and encouragement mean more than you know.
Mahalo nui loa all for being part of this village that supports our readers. Let’s keep this momentum going into the final weeks of the year!
With gratitude,
Karina Hernandez
Literacy Coordinator, Konawaena High School
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2026 Drones Project
Dear Konawaena Foundation Board
I want to thank you for your generous support in providing the batteries we needed. Your contribution has made a huge difference for our students. Before this donation, our flight time was very limited, and we spent a lot of time waiting for equipment to charge. Now, thanks to your kindness, our students can spend more time in the air mastering flight skills and completing their projects without interruption. These batteries are essential tools that allow us to keep our program running smoothly and give our students the hands-on experience they need for the future.
We truly appreciate your commitment to our community and your investment in our students' education. Thank you again for helping our program take flight!
Cynthia Bens
Konawaena HS Science Teacher
I want to thank you for your generous support in providing the batteries we needed. Your contribution has made a huge difference for our students. Before this donation, our flight time was very limited, and we spent a lot of time waiting for equipment to charge. Now, thanks to your kindness, our students can spend more time in the air mastering flight skills and completing their projects without interruption. These batteries are essential tools that allow us to keep our program running smoothly and give our students the hands-on experience they need for the future.
We truly appreciate your commitment to our community and your investment in our students' education. Thank you again for helping our program take flight!
Cynthia Bens
Konawaena HS Science Teacher
Dear The Konawaena Foundation Board of Directors,
I am writing to express my sincerest gratitude for your generous grant of in support of our recent drone project. Thanks to your investment in our students, we were able to bring a cutting-edge, hands-on technology experience directly into the classroom. The impact of this project on the students has been incredible. They didn’t just learn how to pilot drones; they dived into the mechanics of flight, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. Watching their critical thinking skills develop as they navigated various challenges was immensely rewarding.
Beyond the academic milestones, the students had an absolute blast. The classroom was filled with high energy, laughter, and a genuine excitement for learning that can be tough to replicate. You didn't just fund equipment; you funded a memorable, joy-filled educational experience that the students are still talking about.
Thank you for your continued dedication to empowering our youth and enriching our community’s educational landscape. We are incredibly grateful for your support.
Warm regards,
Michelle Jacobson
I am writing to express my sincerest gratitude for your generous grant of in support of our recent drone project. Thanks to your investment in our students, we were able to bring a cutting-edge, hands-on technology experience directly into the classroom. The impact of this project on the students has been incredible. They didn’t just learn how to pilot drones; they dived into the mechanics of flight, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. Watching their critical thinking skills develop as they navigated various challenges was immensely rewarding.
Beyond the academic milestones, the students had an absolute blast. The classroom was filled with high energy, laughter, and a genuine excitement for learning that can be tough to replicate. You didn't just fund equipment; you funded a memorable, joy-filled educational experience that the students are still talking about.
Thank you for your continued dedication to empowering our youth and enriching our community’s educational landscape. We are incredibly grateful for your support.
Warm regards,
Michelle Jacobson
2026 Drones Project
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Dear Konawaena Foundation Team,
I wanted to reach out and give an update on how we used your generous grant, and to say a massive thank you! Your support allowed us to buy gift card prizes for our recent myON reading contest and our community Literacy Nights, and it made a huge difference.
How It WentThe funding went directly toward rewarding our students, and the excitement it created was incredible:
Warmly,
Karina Hernandez
Konawaena High School
CLSD Literacy Coach/Coordinator
I wanted to reach out and give an update on how we used your generous grant, and to say a massive thank you! Your support allowed us to buy gift card prizes for our recent myON reading contest and our community Literacy Nights, and it made a huge difference.
How It WentThe funding went directly toward rewarding our students, and the excitement it created was incredible:
- Reading Routines: The buzz around winning the gift cards really motivated the kids. We saw a great spike in the time students spent reading on myON—they were so excited to log their minutes!
- Community Connection: Our Literacy Nights brought families together to celebrate reading. Using the gift cards as prizes and rewards created a really fun, positive atmosphere for everyone who came out.
- Building Confidence: More than anything, receiving a prize in the mail gave our winning students a massive boost of pride. It showed them that their hard work is noticed and valued by the community.
Warmly,
Karina Hernandez
Konawaena High School
CLSD Literacy Coach/Coordinator
AVID Program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) College Study Tour - February 2026
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Dear Konawaena Foundation, On behalf of the Konawaena High School AVID program, I would like to formally thank you for your generous donation toward our Junior class’s college study tour to Oahu. Your contribution was specifically applied to our lodging expenses, allowing our students a safe and professional environment to rest and reflect during this whirlwind educational experience. This trip was far more than a series of campus tours; it was a pivotal moment in these students' academic journeys. As an educator, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the "lightbulb" go off when a student realizes their potential. Transformative Student Reflections - The impact of this trip is best captured in the students' own words. One of our juniors shared a particularly striking realization: she had always been certain that she belonged in a small, rural town. However, after navigating the campuses on Oahu, she discovered that she actually thrives in a vibrant city environment. This single trip has completely reshaped her college search and given her the confidence to pursue a future she hadn't previously considered. Other students noted that seeing specialized labs and hearing about financial aid packages firsthand turned "college" from an abstract, intimidating concept into a tangible, achievable goal. Strengthening the AVID Fam - Beyond the academic discovery, this trip served as a powerful bonding experience. In AVID, we emphasize the "AVID Family" dynamic, and these three days brought this group closer than ever. They navigated transit together, shared meals, and supported one another through the exhaustion of long tours. This bond is critical as we head into their Senior year. Having a tight-knit support system will be vital as they face the stresses of college applications, scholarship deadlines, and the transition to adulthood next year. Our Shared Mission - Your support directly upholds the AVID mission: to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. By helping us get these students off-island to see what is possible, you are helping us level the playing field. Thank you for being such a dedicated partner in our students' success. We are honored to have the Konawaena Foundation standing behind our future graduates. Mahalo, Ms. Sydney Suzuki AVID Elective Teacher Konawaena High School |
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Senior Interviews - December 2 & 4, 2025
Senior Interviews provide graduating seniors with an opportunity to practice professional interview skills with community members, often matched to their career interests or post–high school plans. Interviewers review student resumes beforehand and ask questions tailored to each student's future goals. Students are evaluated on areas such as professional attire, communication skills, body language, posture, and overall professionalism. After the interview, students receive individualized feedback to help them improve their interview skills and better prepare for college, career, military, and scholarship opportunities.
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Check out the Beautiful Children's Story Books created by 12th Grade English Language Arts Students!
View the titles below and click here to read the books in their entirety.
2025 End of Year Family Celebration
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12th Grade English Language Arts
Writing and illustrating original children's story books that incorporate key narrative literary elements that craft a compelling picture of mo'olelos that authentically represents our lives.
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Click here to read each individual book;
College and Career Grant for Senior Send-Off and Senior Awards Night
May 2025
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Aloha Claudia and the Konawaena Foundation team,
I just wanted to extend my deepest gratitude to you all for your willingness to accept the College and Career Center's grant and help support our senior events. Your generosity made a huge difference! Thanks to your support, both events were a big success—our students were not only happy but also incredibly eager to participate. These moments meant so much to them (and to me), and I can confidently say that I wouldn’t have been able to pull either event off without your help. Mahalo again for always being willing to step in and support our students. Your partnership and kindness are truly appreciated more than words can express. Sincerely, Mercedes Ihilani Victor College and Career Counselor Konawaena High School |
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Konawaena Foundation Grant - Drones Project
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April 2025 - Sociology Field Trip to Family Court & Third Circuit Court
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The Konawaena Foundation provided funding for Sociology teacher Molly M. Satta-Ellis to take 12th grade students on an educational field trip to the Keakealani Building, where her students conducted court observations in both Family Court and Third Circuit Court.
The students observed real-life cases and engaged with professionals in the judicial system, including probation officers, sheriffs and judges. The experience helped students make concreate connections between the academic materials discussed in class and the real-world consequences of decisions in society. |
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January 2025 - Agriculture Department Raised Planter Beds Project
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November 2024 - The Great Trike Challenge
To: Konawaena Foundation
Aloha!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to purchase the trikes for our classroom. The students loved the experience and are still talking about it. Attached are some photos of the students using the trikes. They designed a lab exploring ways to improve the performance and safety of drivers. Students conducted tests using the trikes to test their hypotheses. The trikes aided them to connect real-life applications to their speed, velocity, force, mass, energy, and acceleration calculations. The multi-day lab was a success. Also included are some comments from the students about the usage of trikes in their learning. Thank you again for giving the students a chance to learn in an engaging and memorable way.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Erica Ferguson, Teacher
Konawaena High School
Read the responses from students in the class here - Student Responses.
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Konawaena High School's Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program offers career pathways that will prepare students for the 21st century.
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School Wide Showcase organized by CTE Department
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The School Wide Showcase featured student demonstrations from culinary, robotics, digital media, agriculture and leadership. School clubs also participated in this event that culminated with a Fashion Show based on fashions from the 20th century.
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All students that participated in the Fashion Show take a well deserved bow at the end of the Showcase.
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2023 Agriculture Department Raised Planter Beds Project
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2023 Japanese Department Mural Project. Using art to showcase language and cultural learning experiences can be a creative and engaging way for Japanese language learners at Konawaena High school to express their understanding of the language and culture. This lesson plan is designed to help students create an art project that reflects their language proficiency and cultural knowledge. It is assumed that students have already acquired a basic understanding of the Japanese language and culture.
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