Farrington High School

Academics

The school utilizes a wall-to-wall career academy structure. Each academy has Career and Technical education pathways. The school offers six academies, with five of them being certified by the National Academy Career Coalition. Four of the six academies are recognized as a MODEL academy, these are the Creative Arts and Technology, Engineering, Health, and Public Service.

The Business academy along with the previous four are also certified by the NACC.

Ke Ala Pono is Farrington's equivalent to Special education to ensure equitable opportunity for college and career readiness.

Dual credit options include Advanced Placement and Early College, which is offered through the University of Hawaiʻi system.

History

In September 1936, Farrington High School started operations in temporary buildings across the street of its current location which completed construction at 1939. It was part of an expansion of a larger expansion of the school system.

Campus

Farrington High School was designed by noted Hawaii architect Charles William Dickey. The 26 acre (100,000 m2) campus, which is located at 1564 North King Street, Honolulu, is bounded on the north by Interstate H-1, on the west by Kalihi Street, and on the east by Houghtailing Street. The surrounding neighborhood consists of a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The campus boasts the sculpture The Seed by renowned Hawaiian artist Satoru Abe.

The school has undergone many renovations within the 2010s. In 2012, the school started phase one of a major renovation project, which would result in the overhaul and renovation of older buildings. This project resulted in the addition of new buildings, which were created for Smaller Learning Communities. Subsequent phases were not completed.

In November 2012, the school auditorium roof collapsed due to heavy rain. A technician doing a sound check in the auditorium was safe from harm due to his location in the stage. The roof collapse resulted in a renovation project, which was finished in 2016. This resulted in the addition of classroom spaces and other various improvements.

In 2017, an overhaul was completed on the school's track and field facility. This included the resurfacing of the track to a become a synthetic turf field, a locker room, and the addition of a press box to the bleachers area.

In 2025, following the completion of the Edward “Skippa” Diaz Stadium named after Farrington football coach in 2017. $60 million are raised to replace the area of the swimming pool with a three-story building for new gym and locker rooms. Completion of the project is expected at 2027.

Extracurricular activities

Athletics

Farrington's athletic teams, the Governors, compete in the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA); They are former members of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH).

The school fields teams in 16 sports: air riflery, baseball (boys), basketball, bowling, canoe paddling, cheerleading (girls), cross country, flag football (girls), football (boys), golf, judo, soccer, softball (girls), tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.

The boys teams have won state championships in baseball, basketball, bowling, and volleyball; and league championships in .22 riflery, baseball, basketball, football, and volleyball.

The girls teams have won state championships in bowling, cross country, judo and wrestling; and league championships in .22 riflery, basketball, bowling, judo, volleyball, and wrestling.

The girls' varsity wrestling team has taken state championships in 2004 and 2006.

Notable achievements

Farrington High School was honored as a 2017 Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education.

Notable alumni

Listed alphabetically by last name (year of graduation):

• Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. (1962) – associate justice, Hawaii State Supreme Court (2000–2014)
• Bob Apisa (1963) – college football All-American Michigan State University
• Dennis Arakaki – Hawaii state representative (1985–2006)
• Benjamin J. Cayetano (1958) – Governor of Hawaii (1994–2002); first Filipino-American governor in the U.S.
• Nuu Faaola (1982) – National Football League player, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins (1986–89)
• Mario Fatafehi (1999) – NFL player, Denver Broncos (2003–04)
• Ta'ase Faumui – football player, Pittsburgh Steelers (1994–95)
• Dick Jensen – entertainer, Christian evangelist
• Pat Kesi (1992) - former NFL lineman
• Michelle Kidani (1966) – Hawaii state senator (2009–present); State Senate Vice President (2016–present)
• Iapani Laloulu (2023) – center for the Oregon Ducks (2023–present)
• Shawn Lauvao – offensive lineman for NFL's Washington Redskins
• Vince Manuwai (1999) – NFL player, Jacksonville Jaguars (2003–10)
• John Matias – MLB player, Chicago White Sox
• Donna Mercado Kim – Hawaii state senator (2000–present); former state senate president (2012–2015)
• Janet Mock (2001) – writer, TV host, and author of New York Times bestseller Redefining Realness
• Al Noga (1983) – former NFL player
• Pete Noga (1982?) – former NFL replacement player
• Niko Noga (1979) – former NFL player
• Jesse Sapolu (1979) – NFL player, San Francisco 49ers, 4-time Super Bowl champion
• Augie T. (1986) – entertainer, comedian, Honolulu City Council District 9 Councilmember
• Josh White (1995) – football player, Arena Football League
• Taylor Wily (1986) - combat sports athlete and actor
• Beauleen Carl-Worswick (1980) – Micronesian judge
• Wally Kaname Yonamine (1945) – NFL player, San Francisco 49ers (1947); Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan), Yomiuri Giants, Chunichi Dragons; Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (1994); founder/owner, Wally Yonamine Pearls – Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan; philanthropist – Wally Yonamine Foundation; Governors Hall of Fame (2007 inductee)

Demographics

There were 2,569 students as of the 2014–15 school year, with the following racial composition:

• White: 1.3%
• Black: 0.6%
• Hispanic: 1.2%
• Asian/Pacific Islander: 94.7%
• American Indian: 0.4%
• Two of more races: 1.8%

As of 2017, the school has over 60% free and reduced lunch students, 10% Special Education students, and 11% English Language Learners.

References

• Hawaii High School Athletic Association (n.d.). Farrington High School HHSAA Championship Records. Retrieved May 14, 2007, from HHSAA Web site: http://www.sportshigh.com/tournament_records/by_school/Farrington+High+School
• Hawaii State Department of Education (n.d.). School Status and Improvement Report (School Year 2004–2005): Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School. Retrieved December 5, 2005, from State of Hawaii Department of Education, Accountability Resource Center Hawaii Web site: http://arch.k12.hi.us/school/ssir/2005/honolulu.html
• Gee, P. (March 6, 2005). Farrington's Govs’ Guard has right moves. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved December 6, 2005, from http://starbulletin.com/2005/03/06/news/story9.html
• Hiller, J. (December 13, 2001). That old school tie is a bootstrap, governor. Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved June 4, 2004, from http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Dec/13/ln/ln28a.htm
• https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1966660/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

References

1. "Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
2. "Complex Area Directory". Hawaiʻi State Department of Education.
3. "Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School".
4. "Farrington High School School Improvement Status".
5. (2025-06-26). "Wallace Rider Farrington High School {{!}} Historic Hawai'i Foundation".
6. (2017-01-29). "History".
7. (2004-06-22). "Honolulu Star-Bulletin Local News".
8. Gutierrez, Ben. (2012-11-24). "No injuries as roof collapses at Farrington High".
9. "AHL".
10. "HIDOE breaks ground on $60M gym and music building at Farrington High School".
11. "Farrington (Honolulu, HI) High School Sports - Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, and more".
12. [https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/08/16/sports/hawaii-prep-world/govs-football-star-laloulu-reunites-with-his-kalihi-roots/ Govs football star Iapani Laloulu reunites with his Kalihi roots]
13. (17 August 2006). "Farrington High welcomes back famous, funny alum". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
14. "District 9 - Augie Tulba".
15. Easterwood, Jim. (1986-09-25). "King-Sized Gov has Blockbuster Potential". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
16. "Subject: Nomination Of Mrs. Beauleen Carl-Worswick To Serve As An Associate Justice For The FSM Supreme Court". Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations.
17. (19 June 2017). "Leading Model Schools: Boldly Building Excellence Through Relationships".