Ka Leo O Nā ʻŌpio

WILDCATS MAKE GRIDIRON HISTORY

By Tavoi Filiva'a and Isess Kaleohano

Staff Writers & Editors

The Konawaena varsity football team etched its name in history this season by winning the school’s first Division I state championship. To the surprise of many players and fans around the state, the Wildcat “zoo crew” clinched the title after an intense battle Nov. 26 in Mililani against the Waipahu Marauders, who they beat 38-28.

Isaac Clement, a varsity safety on the team, said the win was years in the making: “It just feels amazing, especially because it was the first one in school history. We really wanted to get it last year on the 100-year anniversary, but fell short in the semi-final. I think that's what gave us all the motivation to get back to that state championship game...

Keenan Coupens: Captain wrestles Wildcats to victory

Keenan Coupens locks eyes with an opponent. COURTESY PHOTO

By Shakira Ortiz Strauss

Staff Writer & Editor

Keenan Coupens hand-fights with his opponent. First round into the match, he sets up his shot and shoots into a double-leg takedown. Coupens, who wrestles for the Konawaena High School team, went on to win by pinning his opponent one minute into the first round.

On February 18th, the Konawaena boys high school wrestling team secured 1st place in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation competition. This was a great team accomplishment. However, it could not have been achieved without talented individuals like Keenan Coupens, a senior who captains the team...

Student barber is known for his fresh fades

By Jasper Felipe

Staff Writer

Buzzes from a hand-held clipper chip away at someone’s skull lawn. Swift strokes coming from the clipper leave the client smiling while leaving the cushioned red swiveled seat. A strong whip from the cape hits the chair and hair flies off of it. The man behind it all: Rhenner Romano...

Extra! Extra!

JOURNALISTS WANTED!

Do you like to be at the center of the action and find out what's happening?
Are you good at writing, or interviewing, or leading a team, or web design?
Do you want to learn?

Then join The Wildcat staff next year as a writer or editor!

Bonus: Gain work and leadership experience to list on a resume or applications for a job, scholarship, or college. Build a portfolio and "tear sheets."

How: See Ms. Knowles now to sign up for the elective class.

Questions? Talk to any of our current student editors, or drop by D124 to visit with faculty advisor Ms. Kovach.

Students Dish on School Lunch

By Jasper Felipe

Staff Writer

Public school lunch has been a staple for most student’s diets throughout the whole week. School lunch has also been shunned upon on TikTok, the social media platform, by showing disgusting slime-like chocolate milk. Is Konawaena’s school lunch that bad though? ...

Brae and B-ballers crush it on court, win BIIF championship

By Isess Kalehano

Staff Writer & Editor

Warming up, throwing from the free throw line, making an awesome swish. One of Konawaena's star players, Braelyn Kauhi, playing in the position of guard, forward and center.

Kauhi and the Wildcats snagged the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) title this year, and earned a spot in the state playoffs...

HogStop: Birth Control for Wild Pigs?

By Tavoi Filiva'a

Staff Writer & Editor

A birth control bait for pigs has been introduced to Hawai'i to combat the rapidly growing feral pig population, sparking controversy among hunters and farmers.

HogStop, a trademark of New Mexico-based Corona Feed Additives, is a feed for feral hogs that acts like birth control. Male hogs that consume it sustain a reduced sperm count and become sterile...

TikTok influencer and artist Jack Coupens works on an illustration. COURTESY PHOTO

Konawaena Artist Has 1.5 Million Followers

By Jasper Felipe

Staff Writer & Editor

When people think of Konawaena, many think talent, in sports, academics, and the arts. One student in particular has become a digital star – Jack Coupens, whose TikTok illustrations have garnered more than 1.5 million followers...

Coupens draws hyper-realistic art picturing a variety of subjects, from rapper Kanye West to superhero Captain America.

“I’ve always been an artist but, I just started drawing with colored pencils like probably three years ago. Then I just kinda took off from there,” Coupens said...

Community Mourns Wildcat Surfer

Sophomore Lily Able Remembered

By Aiko Bear

Staff Writer & Editor

Konawaena students, surfers, family, and friends held a series of memorials last fall to celebrate the life of Konawaena sophomore Lily Able, who succumbed to her injuries after a surfing accident.

Able was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu on Nov. 4 after the incident at Kohanaiki (Pine Trees) Beach Park, on the Big Island. Three days later, her family determined that nothing more could be done to help her...

Ami Akeo New Principal of Konawaena High

By Taha'a Kahele

Staff Writer & Editor

Konawaena High has a new principal for the first time in more than 19 years...

After Maui Ban, Surfers Debate Disposable Boards

By Jasper Felipe

Staff Writer & Editor

Many Big Islanders say this county needs similar prohibitions against the disposable, single-use plastic boards popular with tourists...

Student Fashion

By Karissa Santiago

Staff Writer and Photographer

Click here to see the gallery...

The Wildcat

Konawaena High School's

student newspaper,

on the Big Island of Hawai'i

Ka Leo O Nā ʻŌpio

The voice of the youth

Contact us at: konawildcatnews@gmail.com with press releases, news tips, suggestions, questions, or corrections.

Covid-19 then and now:

Five years later, are we really safe?

By Lucas Sayrs & Taha'a Kahele

Staff Writers & Editors

Five years after COVID-19 appeared, new variants in the virus continue to threaten our health.

As you know, COVID is an everlasting problem in our community and continues to affect everyone, including students and staff who had their 2020 school year cut short.

One student, Branson Muston, a junior, has felt the lasting effects of the pandemic and he described his experience.

“The pandemic - it gave me time off of school to focus more on getting my act together, it actually helped to improve my overall grades. Although I know it hurt a lot of students’ academics,” he said...

"Auntie" serves in defense of books

Former DoD worker Is Konawaena High School's Librarian

Ms. Luana Keanaaina, Konawaena High School Librarian, with her Outstanding Wildcat Award for service to the school community. COURTESY PHOTO

By Taha'a Kahele

Staff Writer & Editor

A womanly figure files through the endless corridor of books, looking for the extraordinary. She herself is a book with an interesting past, and a kind and loving character. Luana Keanaaina isn't just any high school librarian and grandmother -- the famous "Auntie Luana" is also a former Department of Defense worker.

When her husband was hired by NASA for aerospace engineering in the space shuttle program, family finances became the priority. To make their budget work, Keaanaina, a former elementary school teacher, took the civil service exam and was hired as a federal worker...

Volcanic eruptions caused fear and awe

Mauna Loa sent lava flowing near a major highway connecting West and East Hawaii, but the eruption soon stopped. CHRISTINA KOVACH/THE WILDCAT

By Shalei-Marie Parong and Maile Cantiberos

Staff Writers

Mauna Loa Volcano began erupting on the Big Island Nov. 27 at 11:30 pm., and continued spewing lava toward a major highway for several weeks. Many residents in South Kona self-evacuated, but the lava did not damage any homes before it stopped flowing in December.

Recently, Kilauea Volcano also began erupting in Ka’u District...

Wildcat Hitters Reflect on Big Island Championship Win

By Isess Kaleohano

Staff Writer & Editor

The Konawaena Volleyball girls played a heck of a season, claiming the Big Island Division II championship and traveling to Oahu for the state title. Although the Wildcats were taken down in the quarterfinals by Hawaii Baptist, they got 5th place in the consolation bracket.

Looking back on the season, the Wildcat hitters reflected on team strategy, balancing sports and schoolwork, and lessons learned on the court...