Waiakea High School

As an average-sized high school in Hilo, Hawaii, Waiakea High School instructs 1,183 students from grades 9 through 12, part of Hawaii Department of Education.

Within Hawaii Department of Education, which oversees 296 schools and 167,071 students, Waiakea High School is one campus in the system.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Waiakea High School lists that the most-represented group is Pacific Islander (26%), with the rest of the student body spread across multiple groups. The remainder consists of 24% Hispanic, 21% multiracial, 20% Asian, 9% White.

On the resource side, Staff filings list 77 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 15.4:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 14.4:1, putting Waiakea High School higher than the state norm the norm. Around 41% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator. Set against Hawaii County (around 59%), the school's rate is noticeably below typical.

In the broader community, Hawaii County reports that the typical household earns roughly $78,639 per year, roughly 31% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 10%. Waiakea High School is one of 55 public schools in Hawaii County (combined enrollment of about 27,129 students).

Waiakea Intermediate School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.3 miles from this campus. Counting just inside five miles, 8 other public schools cluster around Waiakea High School.

The campus sits in a town-center setting.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count edged down 6%: 1,256 students in 2018 compared to 1,183 in 2025. Hispanic enrollment moved from 9% to 24% across the same window.

On this page, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.