Kamehameha Schools Kapālama - Athletics Department

Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Athletics Program

Mission Statement

The Interscholastic Athletic Program at the Kamehameha Schools is just one avenue of many that strives:

To help promote the development of a student's highest potential by providing him or her with a vast range of opportunities to build individual and team skills;
To experience the thrill of competitive sports;
To learn to cope with victory as well as defeat;
To practice and carry out good sportsmanship;
To instill and hone values necessary for the development of respect for self and others;
To gain respect for authority and rules;
To appreciate the benefits of discipline through training, team work, and commitment.

Statement of Philosophy

Here at Kamehameha, activities are considered a supplement to the school's program of education which strives to provide experiences that will help to develop boys and girls physically, mentally, socially and emotionally.

The Athletic Program at The Kamehameha Schools is part of a larger component, reflecting and representing standards and values of an institution which exists to promote excellence and responsibility. Here, Hawaiian youth, at their finest, are assisted in the discovery and display of their highest potential. It is here where that sense of dignity, pride and compassion, which establishes that mark of responsible citizenship, is encouraged and nurtured.

Over the years, the Athletic Program at The Kamehameha Schools continuously strives to develop and maintain a comprehensive athletic program, which seeks the highest development of all participants and which respects the individual dignity of every student athlete. In accomplishing this goal, The Kamehameha Schools' Athletic Program is not only the most comprehensive, but, it is the largest high school athletic program in the United States.

Athletics at Kamehameha filters through more than 2,000 students in grades 7-12, who participate in one or more competitive sport(s). There are 114 athletic teams involved in 38 different ILH sports activities for boys and girls in the Varsity, Junior Varsity and Intermediate competition levels. These teams are headed by over 255 coaches most of whom are not regular employees or part of Kamehameha's teaching staff.

With such an immensely populated program that is steadily growing, the operation of maintaining such an enormous program requires not only teamwork, but an understanding and commitment to a basic philosophy and general code of conduct on everyone's part. Whereas most academic subjects are mandated by the proper authorities and each student has a "right" to be exposed to them, interscholastic athletics are considered a "privilege" and the player or spectator who avails himself of it is expected to conduct himself/herself accordingly.

Without these basic elements, misunderstandings and conflicts can occur and practices allowed which are not consistent with the overall purpose and mission of Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

Goals and Objectives

We believe that the opportunity for participation in a wide variety of student-selected activities is a vital part of a student's educational experience.

Such participation is a privilege that carries with it responsibilities to the school, to the activity, to the student body, to the community and to the students themselves.

These experiences contribute to the development of learning skills and emotional patterns that enable the student to make maximum use of his or her education.

It is our hope that the experiences gained from participating in Athletics at Kamehameha will aid in the development of favorable habits and attitudes in our students that will eventually prepare them for a well-rounded adult life in our society.

In order to achieve our goal, the student athlete shall learn:

To work with others - The team and its objectives must be placed higher than personal desires.
To be successful - We do not always win, but we succeed when we continually strive to do so. We can learn to accept defeat only by striving to win with earnest dedication. Therefore, develop the desire to excel.
To develop sportsmanship - We need to develop desirable social traits, including emotional control, honesty, cooperation, and dependability.
To improve - As an athlete, you must establish a goal and you must constantly try to reach that goal. Try to better yourself in the skills involved and those characteristics set forth as being desirable.
To enjoy athletics - It is necessary for athletes to enjoy participation, to acknowledge all of the personal rewards to be derived from athletics and to give sufficiently of themselves in order to preserve and improve the program.
To develop desirable personal health habits - To be an active, contributing citizen, it is important to obtain a high degree of physical fitness through exercise and good health habits, and to develop the desire to maintain this level of physical fitness after formal competition has been completed.