Best high school mascot in Hawaii: Top 10 candidates

Christian Liberty Academy’s nickname has historical and spiritual significance. From the school’s website: “Canefire was chosen because at one time our town of Keaau was sugar cane country. The cane farmers used to set fire to the fields in order to burn off the impurities so that only the cane stalks remained. In the same way the Holy Spirit burns in us to remove all the impurities, preparing us for a life of service. Cane fire is two words; however for our purpose we have combined it into one word, Canefire, to emphasize our unity as one in the Body of Christ.”

Ka Makani is the Hawaiian word for "the wind,” and the Hawaii Prep campus commonly gets steady Waimea wind blowing at an average of 20 mph. The wind of Waimea is renowned in chants and songs for its strength and beauty, in addition to its sometimes cold and violent nature.

Located on the east coast of Oahu, Kailua is home to the only Surfriders in high school sports. It’s the alma mater of the iconic Ho brothers of pro surfing, Derek and Michael, with the former becoming Hawaii’s first-ever world professional surfing champion in 1993.

Oahu has the Surfriders, and the Big Island’s Kealakehe High School boasts the Waveriders (also the only one in the country). The school opened in 1997 and serves an area 40 miles wide, largest of any district in the state.

There’s just one K-12 school on Lanai, which is colloquially known as the Pineapple Island because of its past as an island-wide pineapple plantation. The Pine Lads and Lasses celebrate that history.

About a quarter of Leilehua’s student population comes from U.S. military families stationed nearby, and Leilehua adopted the Mule as its mascot in 1932 as a nod to West Point Academy.

The Maui Prep Pueo is a short-eared owl native to the Hawaiian islands. Maui lore alleges the existence of Pueo-nui-akea, an owl that provides wandering souls with direction. Maui Prep, located in the area ravaged by wildfires in summer 2023, opened its doors to displaced students throughout West Maui in the aftermath.

Pahoa boasts the only Daggers in the country among high schools, and the reason for choosing that nickname is simple: “Pahoa” means “dagger” in the Hawaiian language.

Punahou doesn’t have a physical mascot, but its teams are named for the buff-colored sand and blue-colored sea of Waikiki Beach.

Wai’anae has one of the best high school logos in the country, with a mysterious, muscular, spear-toting warrior riding a shark. From the Wai’anae website: “The Searider is the official mascot of Wai'anae High School. A warrior of the ahupua'a, he is tasked with protecting the coastline."