Hawaii Island’s high school seniors are going to graduate, but the commencement festivities –or lack thereof — are very different this year than normal, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The graduation events will take place starting this Friday. Below is a list of island public high schools and their plans. The State Department of Education said they’ve sent information out, but parents and students should contact the school to get additional information. Most schools also have the information about the “commencement ceremonies” on their web sites.
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 HighPrincipal: 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. |
Photo is Hilo High graduates, from the Hilo High web site, in a time before COVID-19