Maui High School Announces Hall of Honor Inductees

The Maui High School Foundation announced Maui High School’s 2018 Hall of Honor Inductees.  They will be recognized at the foundation’s 8th Annual Hall of Honor Banquet on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 at the King Kamehameha Golf Club Ballroom from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  This event is open to the public.

Maui High’s Hall of Honor was created in 2011 and annually recognizes individuals with ties to Maui High School who have made outstanding contributions to the legacy of our school and to our school community.

The 2018 Maui High School Hall of Honor Awardees are:

Leslie Arakaki DDS, Class of 1970

After practicing dentistry in Chicago and Honolulu, Dr. Leslie Arakaki returned to Maui where he served as an outstanding dentist in our Maui community for the past 35 years.

He has also devoted his life to the community and youth through his tireless involvement in community organizations. Most of his community service has been through the Kiwanis Club of Maui which he joined in 1984.  Besides having served as club president of the Kiwanis Club of Maui, he has served as club secretary for the past 4 years, regularly attending its weekly meetings, and contributing countless service hours to a variety of Kiwanis service projects. These include helping the homeless and the annual Kiwanis’ sponsored Intermediate School Track and Field Meet.

When he first came back to Maui, Dr. Arakaki was also active with the local Boy Scout Council. An Eagle Scout himself, Dr. Arakaki served as the East Maui district chairman and sat on the Eagle Scout Board of Review.  He is also past president of the Maui County Dental Society. Upon his recent retirement, Dr. Arakaki also joined the Kahului Lions Club.

Kyle Kawakami, Class of 1989

Chef Kyle Kawakami was born and raised in Kula, Maui.  Having grown up in the rural farming community of Upcountry Maui, he gained an early appreciation for the bounty that Kula had to offer.  Working in the culinary field throughout high school, Kyle left Maui after graduation and attended the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, earning a bachelor of arts degree in Zoology.

Returning to Maui after 8 years away, Kyle had an opportunity to pursue a full time career in culinary arts, and enrolled at Maui Community College. He graduated top of his class and was awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Regent Award and Outstanding Culinary Award. Throughout school Kyle worked under the guidance of Executive Chef Tylun Pang at the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort. In 2002, Kyle had an opportunity to return back to school, this time as an instructor.  He has taught a multitude of classes such as skill building, garde manger, batch cookery, short order and advanced fine dining.

In 2013 he left the college to once again pursue a new dream, to own a gourmet food truck.  In August of 2013, this dream became a reality, and Maui Fresh Streatery arrived on the streets of Maui, bringing gourmet food, cooked fresh with ingredients grown and raised on Maui.  Chef Kyle hopes to use this mobile gourmet kitchen to expose diners to the wide variety of cuisines found throughout the world, as well as educate the students of Maui about the benefits of eating healthy and local.  You can follow the locations and menus of the Maui Fresh Streatery truck on various social media sites.

Ross “Tom” Tamayose, Class of 1950

Ross “Tom” Tamayose worked for the County of Maui Parks and Recreation Department and was one of the main architects of our County’s youth after school and sports program that started in the early 1970’s. Ross had a distinguished 25 year career with that Department as a top administrator, handling all aspects of our County’s many sports programs from youth to seniors, in conjunction with the use of our various County sports complexes and facilities. His intricate job included overseeing all aspects of the various sports leagues including scheduling of the games, facilities, officials and various County employees and workers that go into making sports here on Maui great.

 Ross was also a mentor and coach to many, from the 1970’s to the mid 2000’s. He helped start up and head the Upcountry Makawao youth Menehune basketball and Pop Warner football teams and for over 30 years he was the Head Coach for a third sport, the Upcountry Pony League baseball team. Ross won many team Championship titles and was very well respected, liked, and regarded throughout his coaching and working career.

Ms. Agnes Terao-Guiala, English Teacher 1975-2003

Agnes Terao-Guiala led Maui High’s  English and Language Arts department for many years and started the Advanced Placement English program at the school. She was an active and dedicated teacher who served as advisor for many various student organizations. Her above and beyond service to students included being a class advisor, yearbook advisor, debate team coach, academic decathlon team advisor, National Honor Society club advisor, May Day coordinator, Speech team coach, and more.

“I personally can attest that she is a teacher of technical prowess in English studies. She has made me a better writer, an astute student, and greater at public speaking. If it wasn’t for Mrs. Guiala, I would never have gone to college. She pressed, gently, and shared with me that the best thing would be to go away to learn and continue to learn, because I would appreciate things when I come back with even more respect. She wanted to bring the best out of me. I could have easily turned to other things, but she kept me busy. And I am thankful she did,” said former student, Travis Kea.

“Mrs. Guiala always went above and beyond for me. She helped me to pass my AP English exam. She was instrumental in helping me get accepted to college and medical school by critiquing my application essays and personal statements. She has always been supportive with positive words, letters, cards, emails, and care packages even though I have lived in California since 1996. I always make sure I visit her when I return to Maui and still keep in touch. I will forever be in gratitude to Mrs. Guiala for the inspiration she has provided in my life,” said former student, Ryan Agena

Bobby Medeiros, Softball Head Coach 1988-2015

Robert Medeiros served as Maui High’s head Softball coach for over 25 years. His coaching style, commitment and ability to communicate put the Maui High Softball program on the map. His philosophy is evident in the team’s slogan: “Expect the Best” which was printed on all practice uniforms and travel jackets. He encouraged players to be respectful, honest, loyal and good sports on and off the field. He also taught them to use visualization and how to set short and long-term goals. His ultimate desire was to develop leaders for our community.

 Throughout his career he had many players attend college- some with softball scholarships and many just to study. The Maui High Softball girls became lawyers, teachers, nurses, managers, bakers and some of them are giving back to the community as softball coaches in the youth leagues in our community.

 In 1991, Robert (Bobby) Medeiros became the 1st Maui High Softball coach to take the Softball team to the Hawaii State Tournament. The Maui News called his achievement a landmark victory by delivering Baldwin Bears its 1st loss in 11 years. In 1995, with his Maui High softball team coming off of an undefeated season, he received the well-earned recognition of Coach of the Year.

 The Hall of Honor Banquet is the top fundraiser for the MHS Foundation and paves the way for the Foundation to offer scholarships and funding support to the school and its students. The Foundation invites the community to join in this fun and inspirational evening that will bring family and friends together to honor pillars of Maui High’s legacy while helping to advance its future.

For more information and to purchase sponsorships, tickets, or ads please visit mauihighschoolfoundation.com or contact Event Chair Erin Clapper at (808) 330-8338. Inquiries and requests for tickets may also be emailed to [email protected].