Mid-Pacific

Happy Aloha Friday! Check out these stunning sunset photos of the Class of 2025 soaking in their last night at Senior Camp. Wishing all our Owls a fantastic weekend!

Big mahalo to for capturing these unforgettable moments!

Day 2 of Senior Camp at YMCA Camp Erdman was all about class bonding! From timeless camp traditions like tie-dyeing t-shirts to hip-hop lessons by alumnae .naks and lip-dub filming, our seniors are making unforgettable memories!

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Mid-Pacific Fall Sports are underway! The Girls’ Varsity team won their first preseason tournament, and the Girls’ JV team had a close season opener in a thrilling three-set match against Kamehameha.

Cheer on all of our student-athletes! Click the link in our bio for the full Fall Sports schedule. Let’s go, Owls!

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Mid-Pacific Athletics

Mid-Pacific preschool and elementary school families had a wonderful afternoon of games, food, and bonding at the Hikina Pueo – Family Welcome event. The day’s highlight was the traditional water balloon toss, where students had an absolute blast! Mahalo to the Nā ‘Ohana Pueo parent association for hosting this special gathering. What a fantastic way to kick off the new school year!

This morning, after a spirited welcome by students, faculty, and staff sign wavers on Ka‘ala Street, the entire school ‘ohana gathered in Mills Gymnasium as one community for Opening Convocation.

We blessed the new school year, celebrated our youngest preschool Owls, and honored our mighty Seniors in the traditional class banner ceremony.

Preschooler Knox ’39 and his parents, Tyler ’98 and Nicole, unveiled the Class of 2039 banner. Tyler Miyoshi ’25 then proudly presented the Senior Class of 2025 banner. Wishing you a fantastic school year ahead, Owls!

This past Saturday, key campus organizations came together for a day of fellowship and teamwork. The morning began with a blessing at Wailele Springs, followed by a leadership retreat for the Mid-Pacific Institute Alumni Association (MPIAA) and Nā ‘Ohana Pueo, our parent association. They connected with the school’s Senior Leadership team and ended the retreat by planning their activities for the year.

Later, our Student Government Association (SGA) hosted the Leadership Camp for high school class officers and middle school executive council members, focusing on leadership and creative strategies to boost engagement.

Thank you to our alumni, parents, and student leaders for volunteering their time to make this school year memorable. Special thanks to the MPIAA for sponsoring and serving dinner for our dedicated students. Your support is truly appreciated!

       

This afternoon, we welcomed our littlest Owls and their families to campus for a joyful ice cream social, creating precious memories to kick off the new school year! This cherished preschool tradition helps our youngest students meet their new teachers, make new friends, reunite with familiar faces, and settle in by placing their sleeping bags and supplies in their cubbies. Here’s to a year full of fun, learning, and exciting adventures, dear Owls!

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Our facilities and maintenance crew worked tirelessly this summer to enhance our Mānoa campus. Improvements included:

-Refreshing Kawaiaha’o Hall corridors and lobby
-Renovating Atherton Hall classrooms with new furniture
-Enhancing groundskeeping and planting
-Upgrading utilities and infrastructure

A highlight was the collaboration between our Security, Facilities & Maintenance Departments, which resulted in the new guard station, Kahaukani Hale.

Kumu Hula Michael Lanakila Casupang blessed the new station, emphasizing its role in welcoming and protecting our community, as reflected in our oli Welina Mānoa: “guarded by the Kahaukani wind.”

Director of Campus Safety & Security Brad Heatherly, Director of Facilities & Maintenance Angel Allas, Kumu Hula Michael Lanakila Casupang, and Building Maintenance Supervisor Ross Kawawaki placed the kupukupu fern lei, created by our faculty and staff during the Opening Convocation, in Kahaukani Hale.

Thank you to our facilities, maintenance, and security teams for your dedication and teamwork. Mahalo for all you do!

Mid-Pacific faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees gathered at Wailele Spring on Monday for our Opening Convocation, marking the start of a new school year.

We came together to weave a kupukupu lei, symbolizing our unity. Our newest employees participated in planting kupukupu on campus to represent a lovely new beginning. Here’s to an inspiring and successful year ahead!

   

The Owl 'Ohana is buzzing with excitement as we welcome Kena Heffernan as Mid-Pacific's new Athletic Director!

Kena is a seasoned leader in both education and athletics. He has served as a Mathematics teacher, Student Advisor, Fitness and Soran Bushi instructor, and Athletics Director at Pacific Buddhist Academy for the past 14 years. His leadership skills are further evidenced by his current role as the ILH president.

As a Punahou School graduate, Kena was honored as Athlete of the Year and inducted into the Nissan (HHSAA) and Punahou Halls of Fame. He won multiple state championships in football, wrestling, and track and field. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Yale University, where he was a four-year letter winner in football and received the prestigious Chester P. Laroche Award.

Kena's post-college career in sumo wrestling is equally impressive. He competed in National Championships, North American Championships, Olympic World Games, SportAccord Combat Games, and World Championships, earning over 53 medals, including 17 individual gold medals. His greatest pride is founding the Aloha State Sumo Association to continue the sumo tradition and spirit for Hawai'i's youth.

Welcome, Kena!

Mid-Pacific applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now available!

Mid-Pacific is more than just a school; it’s home to a thriving community of students, alumni, parents, faculty, and administrators. We nurture a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to grow, innovate, and contribute to the greater good.

Apply today and join the Mid-Pacific ‘Ohana!
www.midpac.edu/admissions

Congratulations to Destiny Look ‘26! Destiny won the National Heptathlon title in the 15-16 U division at the 2024 USATF Junior Olympics in Texas, competing against 25 athletes. Next, she takes on the 400m Hurdles.

Way to go, Destiny! We are so proud of you!

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Congratulations to Kodey Shojinaga ‘22! Selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Kodey was picked 192nd overall as a catcher.

During his two seasons with the Kansas Jayhawks, Kodey excelled, setting a freshman record with a .378 batting average in 2023. He earned the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year title and an invitation to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp.

Kodey continued to shine this spring, achieving a second-team All-Big 12 honor with a .339 batting average, 46 RBIs, and 11 home runs over two years. He had six four-hit games, including one in the Big 12 tournament semifinals.

Way to go, Kodey!

Repost: Spectrum News Hawaii
Photo Credit: AP Colin E Braley

Mid-Pacific Athletics Mid-Pacific Alumni

Happy 4th of July, Owls! Have a wonderful day celebrating Independence Day with friends and family!

Congratulations to Coach Dunn Muramaru on being inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025! Induction into the ABCA Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the association.

To be considered, a coach must have served as a head baseball coach and been an ABCA member for at least 15 years, made significant contributions to the ABCA, advanced baseball at various levels, and demonstrated high moral character and leadership.

With an incredible 37-year coaching journey at Mid-Pacific, Coach Muramaru has led the Owls to 5 state titles, multiple ILH titles, and nearly 600 career victories. His dedication has earned him numerous Coach of the Year awards, recognition in the National High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2024, and the Chuck Leahey Award for his service to baseball in Hawaii. Well-deserved recognition for an outstanding career!

Congratulations to Destiny Look ‘26 for being awarded the 2023-24 Gatorade Hawaii Girls Track & Field Player of the Year!
This prestigious award recognizes the nation’s top high school athletes for their excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Destiny has been honored as Hawaii’s best high school girls’ track and field athlete.

This past season, Destiny won the state title in the 300-meter hurdles and secured second place in the 100 hurdles and high jump. She also shone at the USA Track and Field Hawaii Developmental Meet for 13 to 16-year-olds, winning the 100 hurdles, long jump, and shot put. Way to go, Destiny!

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Happy Aloha Friday! Our preschoolers are wrapping up their first swim session of the summer today. They've been getting comfortable in the water, learning to blow bubbles, and having a blast with our swim instructors. Great job, Owls!

Students enrolled in our Hawaii Nature Explorers class enjoyed the beautiful weather this morning as they diligently searched for insects across our expansive campus. Over the summer, they will discover native insect species and observe their roles within plants, weather, and other natural elements. Engaging in hands-on activities, they will deepen their connection with Hawaii's diverse ecosystem, fostering a holistic understanding of the interconnected world of insects, plants, weather, and nature.

Don't miss out! Register now for Global Exchange Academy's 2-week, 1-week, and extended camps. Click the link below for more information!

https://www.midpac.edu/the-center/summer

Mid-Pacific’s GlobalX Summer Programs kicked off today! From core math, science, and English courses to theater, art, and PE, students from preschool to high school are set for an exciting summer. Our newest Owls will enjoy engaging grade-level orientations, too. Here’s to a summer of learning and lasting friendships!

     

Logan Lau ’24 was inducted into the Hawai'i High School Hall of Honor yesterday at a special ceremony held at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel. This prestigious recognition, established in 1982, honors the athletic excellence and achievements of Hawai‘i’s high school athletes.

Each year, twelve student-athletes are selected by an independent committee for this honor. Inductees receive a $2,000 college scholarship to help with college expenses.

Seniors participating in any official Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association state championship sport are eligible for consideration. The selection committee primarily considers athletic achievement, but also looks at versatility, sportsmanship, leadership, dedication, academic achievement, school activities, community involvement, and character.

We are incredibly proud of Logan, whose dedication, hard work, and outstanding athletic abilities have earned him this remarkable honor. A huge congratulations to Logan, his family, coaches, and supporters for this well-deserved recognition. Go OWLS!
Mid-Pacific Athletics

Our 6th graders completed their final community service project by making ti-leaf lei to honor heroes at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Thank you to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, and to those who continue to serve.

Remembering and honoring our heroes on Memorial Day.

Congratulations, Class of 2024! Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. As you enter this next phase, remember to hold on to the valuable lessons learned, the bonds formed, and the cherished memories from your time at Mid-Pacific.

Mid-Pacific alumni and their families were hard at work this morning, decorating the stage for tonight’s Class of 2024 Commencement ceremony. Each year, members of the Mid-Pacific Institute Alumni Association honor our newest alumni by adorning the stage on campus with tropical flowers donated by the and Ms. Celia Chun. They also volunteer at the senior breakfast. We can’t wait to celebrate with you tonight, Owls! Congratulations!

Mid-Pacific Alumni

You are wonderful, Class of 2024 Owls! What a lovely Baccalaureate ceremony this evening. We look forward to celebrating you all at Commencement tomorrow!