Farrington High School

Governor Wallace R. Farrington High School
Location
1564 North King Street Honolulu , Hawaii 96817 United States
Information
Type	Public
Motto	"Enter to learn, go forth to serve"
Established	1936
School district	Honolulu District
Principal	Alfredo Carganilla
Teaching staff	136.00 (FTE) [1]
Grades	9–12
Gender	Co-educational
Enrolment	2,072 (2023-2024) [1]
Student to teacher ratio	15.24 [1]
Campus type	Urban
Color(s)	Maroon and White
Athletics	Oahu Interscholastic Association
Mascot	Governor
Accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Newspaper	The Governor
Yearbook	Ke Kia'aina
Military	United States Army JROTC
Website	farringtonhighschool.org

Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School is a public secondary school (grades 9-12) located in the Kalihi district of Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The school is part of the Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area of the Honolulu District of the Hawaii State Department of Education, ^[2] and is named after the late Wallace Rider Farrington, the sixth governor of the Territory of Hawaii, who served from 1921 to 1929. The school's team name is the Governors.

Farrington provides career pathways for its students through several integrated vocational programs, which are provided through career academies. This includes a Health academy, a Business academy, and a Creative Arts & Technology academy that were nationally recognized for excellence. ^[3]

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. ^[3]

The Business academy along with the previous four are also certified by the NACC. ^[3]

Ke Ala Pono is Farrington's equivalent to Special education to ensure equitable opportunity for college and career readiness. ^[4]

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 it's currently location which completed construction at 1939. and was part of a expansion of a larger expansion of the school system. ^{[5] [6]}

Campus

Farrington High School was designed by noted Hawaiʻi architect Charles William Dickey. ^[7] 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. ^[8] 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. ^[9]

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. ^[10]

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.

Clubs

Farrington host a variety of clubs and notable organizations such as FFA, DECA, NHS, and HOSA. There are also many community service centered clubs such as the LEO Club, and Key Club. ^[11]

Other clubs are as listed:

• Anime, Manga, and Gaming Society (AMGS) ^{[12] [11]}
• Beautification Club ^[11]
• Book Club ^[11]
• Business Academy Ambassador Program ^[11]
• Chess Club ^[11]
• Dancer's Delite Dance Club ^[11]
• Engineering Board ^[11]
• Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) ^[11]
• Fealofani Club ^[11]
• Filipino-American Youth ^[11]
• Farrington Performing Arts Center (FPAC) ^[11]
• Hiking Club ^[11]
• Interact ^{[13] [11]}
• International After-School Club ^[11]
• Army JROTC – Govs Guard ^[11]
• Math Team ^[11]
• Mic4Peace ^[11]
• Pacific and Asian Affair Council (PAAC) ^{[14] [11]}

Notable achievements

Farrington High School was honored as a 2017 Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education. ^[15]

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) ^[16]
• 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 ^{[17] [18]}
• Josh White (1995) – football player, Arena Football League
• Taylor Wily (1986) - combat sports athlete and actor ^[19]
• Beauleen Carl-Worswick (1980) – Micronesian judge ^[20]
• 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: ^[1]

• 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. ^[15]

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 Archived 2006-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
• 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

1. "Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
2. "Complex Area Directory". Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
3. "Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School". www.hawaiiacademies.net. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
4. "Farrington High School School Improvement Status". www.hawaiiacademies.net. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
5. "Wallace Rider Farrington High School | Historic Hawai'i Foundation". June 26, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
6. "History". W.R. Farrington High School. January 29, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
7. "Honolulu Star-Bulletin Local News". June 22, 2004. Archived from the original on June 22, 2004. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
8. Gutierrez, Ben (November 24, 2012). "No injuries as roof collapses at Farrington High". www.hawaiinewsnow.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
9. "AHL". www.ahl.design. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
10. "Farrington (Honolulu, HI) High School Sports - Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, and more". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
11. "Clubs and Organizations". W.R. Farrington High School. January 25, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
12. "FHS A.M.G.S". sites.google.com. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
13. "Interact Clubs". www.rotary.org. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
14. "Pacific and Asian Affairs Council | Empower Global Leadership Today". Pacific and Asian Affairs Council. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
15. "Leading Model Schools: Boldly Building Excellence Through Relationships". Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. June 19, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
16. Govs football star Iapani Laloulu reunites with his Kalihi roots
17. Genegabus, Jason (August 17, 2006). "Farrington High welcomes back famous, funny alum". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
18. "District 9 - Augie Tulba".
19. Easterwood, Jim (September 25, 1986). "King-Sized Gov has Blockbuster Potential". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. p. 31. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
20. "SUBJECT: NOMINATION OF MRS. BEAULEEN CARL-WORSWICK TO SERVE AS AN ASSOCIATE JUSTICE FOR THE FSM SUPREME COURT" (PDF). Page 1 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 16-96. Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2017.

• https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1966660/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

External links

• Hawaii State Department of Education