Best high school mascot in Hawaii: Top 10 candidates

From Pine Lads to Pueo to Mighty Mules, meet the best high school mascots in Hawaii

Author:
Mike Swanson, SBLive Sports
Publish date:
Oct 13, 2023 11:34 AM EDT

Surfriders. Waveriders. Seariders.

There's just one high school in the nation bearing each of those three nicknames, and all of them are in Hawaii.

But don't forget the Canefire and the Daggers.

SBLive Sports' love for unique mascots with interesting back stories has been well documented.

We've crowned Hodags and Imps the past couple of years in national high school mascot contests, and now we're taking a spin through every state.

Over the next couple of months we'll go from Alabama through Wyoming featuring each state's best high school mascots, and then give readers a chance to vote for their favorite. Our Hawaii poll will post Oct. 14 on highschool.si.com and stay open through Oct. 21.

Here are the top 10 high school mascots in Hawaii:

Christian Liberty Academy Canefire

Christian Liberty Academy’s nickname has historical and spiritual significance. From the school’s website: “Canefire was chosen because at one time our town of Keaau was sugar cane country. The cane farmers used to set fire to the fields in order to burn off the impurities so that only the cane stalks remained. In the same way the Holy Spirit burns in us to remove all the impurities, preparing us for a life of service. Cane fire is two words; however for our purpose we have combined it into one word, Canefire, to emphasize our unity as one in the Body of Christ.”

Hawaii Prep Ka Makani

Ka Makani is the Hawaiian word for "the wind,” and the Hawaii Prep campus commonly gets steady Waimea wind blowing at an average of 20 mph. The wind of Waimea is renowned in chants and songs for its strength and beauty, in addition to its sometimes cold and violent nature.

Kailua Surfriders

Located on the east coast of Oahu, Kailua is home to the only Surfriders in high school sports. It’s the alma mater of the iconic Ho brothers of pro surfing, Derek and Michael, with the former becoming Hawaii’s first-ever world professional surfing champion in 1993.

Kealakehe Waveriders

Oahu has the Surfriders, and the Big Island’s Kealakehe High School boasts the Waveriders (also the only one in the country). The school opened in 1997 and serves an area 40 miles wide, largest of any district in the state.

Lanai Pine Lads and Lasses

There’s just one K-12 school on Lanai, which is colloquially known as the Pineapple Island because of its past as an island-wide pineapple plantation. The Pine Lads and Lasses celebrate that history.

Leilehua Mighty Mules

About a quarter of Leilehua’s student population comes from U.S. military families stationed nearby, and Leilehua adopted the Mule as its mascot in 1932 as a nod to West Point Academy.

Maui Prep Pueo

The Maui Prep Pueo is a short-eared owl native to the Hawaiian islands. Maui lore alleges the existence of Pueo-nui-akea, an owl that provides wandering souls with direction. Maui Prep, located in the area ravaged by wildfires in summer 2023, opened its doors to displaced students throughout West Maui in the aftermath.

Pahoa Daggers

Pahoa boasts the only Daggers in the country among high schools, and the reason for choosing that nickname is simple: “Pahoa” means “dagger” in the Hawaiian language.

Punahou Buff 'n Blue

Punahou doesn’t have a physical mascot, but its teams are named for the buff-colored sand and blue-colored sea of Waikiki Beach.

Wai'anae Seariders

Wai’anae has one of the best high school logos in the country, with a mysterious, muscular, spear-toting warrior riding a shark. From the Wai’anae website: “The Searider is the official mascot of Wai'anae High School. A warrior of the ahupua'a, he is tasked with protecting the coastline."