As a member of the Class of 1999, Garrett Yamada has a unique connection to the King Kekaulike campus.  He was a part of many firsts, from being the first to enter campus, a member of the first junior varsity and varsity football and baseball teams, first to eat in the cafeteria, a member of the first graduating class, and is one of Kekaulike’s first doctors.

Shaping the way for Kekaulike and its traditions was not always easy but there was always a sense of camaraderie.  “It was easy to get to know and interact closely with a good core of people – everyone would watch over one another,” explains Yamada.

That first year was exceptionally memorable but not because of the new facilities.  Yamada got particularly close to one of his fellow classmates and jokingly reminisces, “I met this hot chick in freshman year, copied her homework, and eventually made her my wife.”  Lynn Kajihara was that classmate, who today, has returned to her alma mater as a science teacher.

As they selected where to attend college they received some good advice.  “Our parents influenced us to leave Maui and grow up.  So we did,” said Yamada.  They both attended Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon and amazingly, both majored in exercise science.  After Garrett received his undergraduate degree, he decided to become a physical therapist and credits his experiences at Kekaulike with his career choice.  “It was during a football injury in high school that introduced me to physical therapy and sparked my interest in the subject,” he said.  Yamada selected the University of Puget Sound in Washington State to continue his studies and graduated in 2006 with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

After graduation, Garrett and Lynn decided to return home to Maui and wed in 2006, over 12 years after first meeting on campus.  Yamada, in his usual fun manner continues, “I am now a doctor and am smarter than her [Lynn], for real, which is confirmed by my degree,” as he laughs.

Yamada has come a long way since his days of high school homework.  He is now a full-time therapist at Elite Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in Makawao, and recently became an Orthopedic Certified Specialist.

Garrett and Lynn have two children, Cade (5) and Kendyll (3), and together have become important fixtures in the King Kekaulike community.  Crediting a combination of KKHS faculty, parental guidance, and strong community support for his achievements, Yamada is now doing his part to help perpetuate the success of Kekaulike students.   He spends countless hours giving back by mentoring students, helping to form the KKHS Alumni Association, judging senior projects, and allowing students interested in physical therapy to shadow him in action.

Yamada continues to lead the way of Kekaulike firsts and before we know it, his entire family of four may be the first to proudly call themselves all Kekaulike alumni.

King Kekaulike can add another doctor to its list of notable alumnus. Kreig Kihara, a 2006 graduate, received his Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Hawaii at Manoa this past spring. The journey however, was not an easy one.

An architectural degree takes seven long years along with an internship and final thesis. Kihara, always looking for an adventure, decided to complete his required internship with an architectural firm in Shanghai, China. “For five months, I learned a ton about architecture, but it can’t compare to what I gained outside the office,” Kihara shared. He traveled to multiple cities, and worked through the complexity of the Chinese language. Jokingly he states, “when I first moved to China, I had the language equivalency of ordering at Panda Express.” He quickly learned the nuances of the language and continued to joke, “I do pride myself in acquiring enough Chinese language skills that I can now fluently order at Dragon Dragon…that’s a big upgrade.”

Studying abroad proved to be one of the most humbling and eye-opening experiences for Kihara, “I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity of living in an environment so different from Hawaii.” He experienced many aspects of China’s unique culture and his time spent aboard will no doubt help him to become a global minded architect.

With his official schooling behind him, Kihara is now eager for a change of pace. “I am enjoying not having to worry about homework or exams for pretty much the first time in my life.”

But, the constant studying and long-hours will not end anytime soon. Kihara was recently hired at a Honolulu-based architecture firm as an architectural designer, working on many exciting, up and coming projects. His job will help him to prepare for a seven-part examination that now stands between him and the official title of architect.

The process may sound daunting, but going the extra mile is something Kihara has come to expect. Whether working behind the counter at his family run store in Keokea, in the classroom, on the soccer field or even now at his current job, Kihara credits KKHS with instilling within him important values that has led him to success.

“There will always be homework, tests, strict teachers, and if you’re lucky like us, chicken for lunch. Yet what set KKHS apart, in addition to a solid educational foundation, was the emphasis placed on the value of hard work.” Kihara learned at KKHS that there aren’t many things that can replace the outcome of diligence, focus, and perseverance.

Reading about Joebelle Bonete’s involvement in the King Kekaulike community can easily make you exhausted.  This senior currently serves as King Kekaulike’s Student Body President, National Honor Society Secretary, a varsity Track and Field co-captain, the Treasurer for Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), an Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) tutor, a Maui District Student Council member, and Interact Club Sergeant-at-Arms.

Although Bonete has immersed herself in countless activities, student government has become a true passion.  She credits advisor and Student Activities Coordinator, Janina Kennedy for helping to expand and prosper her breadth of leadership skills and capabilities.  “She [Kennedy] deserves so much credit than what she bargains for in return, but that is what I love about her the most,” said Bonete.

As she looks to her future, Bonete’s plans include attending a private college on the east coast and majoring in biology.  Her athletic pursuits are also top of mind.  “I hope to continue competing in the triple jump event in the NAIA or in a Division III athletic program,” she said. Most importantly, if all goes to plan, her hopes include one day entering medical school to pursue a career as an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon).

With her passion and drive, it is very likely that we will see a Dr. Bonete in the near future.