(Xiomara Yamileth/ Kauaʻi Now)
The cheers began well in advance of the distribution of the first diploma, as the wind playfully fluttered the tassels and green robes of the 275 Kapaʻa High School graduates gathered Friday at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex Field.
The students celebrated their graduation surrounded by family, teachers, and classmates who watched them cross the stage, marking the end of one chapter and the blooming of another.
“Like all plants, we’ve grown many roots,” class president and valedictorian Marc Binonwangan said during his speech. “And now it is our time to sprout new beginnings and become the people we are meant to be.”
The Class of 2026 “has been nothing short of amazing,” Principal Thomas Cox said during his speech before handing out the diplomas.
“This year, we not only have 39 valedictorians, but we have almost a third of you graduating with college credits, and 31 of you who have earned more than 20 college credits,” he said.
In Hawaiʻi, the state Department of Education awards the title of valedictorian to graduating seniors who achieve a flawless 4.0 cumulative grade point average and complete the requirements for an Honors Recognition Certificate.
The three other high schools on Kauaʻi also held their graduations, with 250 students receiving their diplomas at Kauaʻi High School and 181 at Waimea High School. And one student graduated from Ka ʻOihana Hoʻonaʻauao o ke Aupuni, also known as Niʻihau High & Elementary.
Several graduates of Kapaʻa High gained admission to distinguished institutions including Colgate University, Creighton University, Pomona College, New York University, Reed College and the University of Southern California.
Thirty-three students earned certificates from Chaminade University on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi Community College, with five high school graduates also earning their associate’s degrees.
“We also have over 100 students graduating with a career in technical education honors diploma, showing that you have the industry knowledge and skills needed to be successful when you enter the workforce,” Cox said.
Aside from their stellar academic achievements, student athletes in the class brought home state championships in football, soccer, softball and volleyball.
Photo Gallery: Swipe to watch graduates proudly display their diplomas and express their joy after crossing the stage.
Rows of families and friends waved signs, cheered and held cameras high as graduates crossed the stage. Proud parent Laycie Love said she put on “lots of waterproof mascara” in preparation for the graduation ceremony.
“Weʻre so honored and blessed,” Love said. “I want to see all my kids succeed and also see all of these young ones do something with themselves, be successful, get off this rock for a little while, go find their dreams, and then hopefully come back and make this place better later.”
Also standing with joy and pride was Councilmember Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., who graduated from Kapaʻa High in 1979 and encouraged the graduates to pursue higher education.
“This is an awesome opportunity to do what is right and go to school,” he said. “Do what you need to do, and take care of your oʻhana. Take it one step at a time, and we’re here to support all of our students wherever we can.”
The ceremony closed with graduates tossing caps into the air as classmates laughed, hugged, cried and became overwhelmed with love and lei.
Binonwangan signed out by adding: “I’ve had such great memories here at Kapaʻa High, and I will continue to go through my endeavors at USC, and I wish the best to all my classmates in their future endeavors and wherever they may end up.
“I’m really proud of everybody here. Congratulations, class of 2026.”
