McKinley High School breaks ground on new athletics facilities

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A groundbreaking ceremony was held at McKinley High School Wednesday morning for its new athletics facilities.

It’s an endeavor the McKinley community considers 160 years in the making. The Tigers are adding stands to its athletics complex to finally host games on campus.

Historically, the programs teams have had to play its home games at Roosevelt and, more recently, Farrington.

“Everybody asks, ‘Where’s the stands?' and I think this ceremony today is that first step into the journey of completing this project,” said McKinley principal Ron Okamura.

Along with the over 2,400-seat capacity bleachers, they’re adding new locker rooms and coaches facilities — an addition that Okamura has been campaigning for for years.

Back in 2017, when the Tigers installed the artificial turf and track, Okamura was talking about adding stands. He estimates that by 2026, those dreams will come to fruition.

“Plant your flag and fight your ground and fight your battles on it because this is your turf,” Okamura said. “The sense of pride that you have because this is your home field and that nobody comes into your home and takes it over, so, you know, to give them that sense of pride.”

The estimated cost of the project was not disclosed, but the benefits are well worth it as the state Department of Education takes a key step in upgrading its facilities.

“In the department, we have a term neʻepapa, and neʻepapa means moving forward together with a common purpose,” Hawaii schools superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “This is definitely a ne’epapa effort here at McKinley High School.”

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