Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School Explained

Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School, known as Radford High School, is a coeducational college preparatory public high school in the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Basic information

The school is named after Navy Admiral Arthur William Radford who served as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Command after WWII. Radford High School was established in 1957 and graduated its first senior class in June 1960. It is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.^[2] The school is located on 27 acres of land on Salt Lake Boulevard, outside of the Aliamanu Military Reservation. The campus has a bronze sculpture entitled Striving for Excellence by Jan Gordon Fisher. Radford serves a community of approximately 30,000 people. Its students are ethnically diverse and about 63% military dependents, resulting in a yearly transiency rate of about one-third.

BoundariesThe school community is within a one-mile radius of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Foster Village and Aliamanu. Radford High School's boundary encompasses the following civilian housing areas: Aliamanu, Alii Plantation, Crosspointe, and Foster Village.It encompasses the following military housing areas: Hokulani, Ohana Nui, Hickam Air Force Base, Catlin Park, Ford Island, Hale Moku, Halsey Terrace, Little Makalapa, Makalapa, Moanalua Terrace, Pearl Harbor Shipyard Quarters, and most of Aliamanu Military Reservation Housing.

The Military Youth Advisory Council (MYAC)MYAC is the school's primary community group and comprises school leaders, three military commands, Family Service Centers, business and civilian leaders, PTSO representatives, students, and the community college liaisons. The council addresses most issues of its transient population, meeting monthly on the Radford campus. It is a highly functional, comprehensive partnership that has resulted in many exemplary programs and improvements for Radford students and has solved many critical campus/community issues.^[3]

School complex area information

Radford High School is part of the Hawaii Department of Education Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area in the Central Oahu District along with Aiea High School and Moanalua High School.^[4]

The Radford Complex consists of 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school:

• Aliamanu Elementary School
• Hickam Elementary School
• Makalapa Elementary School
• Mokulele Elementary School
• Nimitz Elementary School
• Pearl Harbor Elementary School
• Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School
• Aliamanu Middle School
• Radford High School

Curriculum

Radford offers various co-curricular activities. These include student government, class-level activities, honor societies, service clubs, special interest clubs, and interscholastic athletics.

Academics

Radford offers courses such as Japanese language, introduction to industrial engineering, forensic science, entrepreneurship, marine science, language arts courses for the gifted and talented, two advanced placement courses in each core area, the Multimedia Program under the Arts and Communications Career Pathway, a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, a Freshman Academy, a Culinary Arts Academy, a Building and Construction Academy, and many other electives.

Radford maintains several comprehensive student support programs. The Student Transition Center provides new student orientation, a "lunch buddy" program, and a tutorial program for those students who need extra study assistance. The Discovery Center assists students with job preparation and placement. The College and Career Resource Center helps students with college searches and applications.

The school offers a music program that includes a concert band, made up of less experienced players, a symphonic band, for those with more training, an orchestra, a chorus, a guitar class, and a marching band. The Radford "Rams" Marching Band began in the early 1970s and continued through the early '90s when it ceased to exist. In 2008, the new music director, Nicole Sherlock, revived the marching band and students voted to change the name to Radford "Red Brigade" Marching Band. By 2013, the drumline had established itself as one of the top drumlines in the state of Hawaii.

Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit

The Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps unit offers extracurricular activities such as armed and unarmed drill teams, FOX team, and a PT team among other activities within the unit. Students enrolled in the program take Naval Science courses and have opportunities to attend many functions on the nearby Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. The battalion is currently headed by Senior Naval Science Instructor LCDR. Harrison Depondicchello (USN).

Sports

OIA TITLES
Sport	Championship Years
Baseball	1961, 1979, 2010 (Div. II), 2011 (Div. II), 2019 (Div. II)
Basketball (boys)	1962, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1978, 1989
Basketball (girls)	2011 (Div. II), 2012 (Div. II)
Cheerleading	2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
Cross Country (boys)	1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2013
Cross Country (girls)	1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 2005, 2016
Football	1961, 1962, 1969, 1976, 1981, 2005 (Div. II), 2012 (Div. II), 2015 (Div. II)
Golf (boys)	1965, 1966, 1967, 1981
Soccer (boys)	1966, 2022 (Div. II)
Soccer (girls)	2013 (Div. II)
Swimming & Diving (boys)	1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976, 1977, 1982, 1983
Swimming & Diving (girls)	1967, 1968, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1992
Tennis (girls)	1972, 1975
Track & Field (boys)	1969, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2011, 2012, 2019
Track & Field (girls)	1961, 1962, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2009, 2010, 2012
Volleyball (boys)	2023 (Div. II)
Volleyball (girls)	1971, 1980, 2005 (Div. II), 2013 (Div. II)
Wrestling (boys)	1970, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1989
Wrestling (girls)	1997

HHSAA STATE TITLES
Sport	Championship Years
Baseball	1979
Basketball (boys)	1969, 1971, 1977, 1989
Basketball (girls)	2011 (Div. II)
Cheerleading	2005 (Medium Division), 2006 (Med. Div.), 2007 (Med. Div.), 2008 (Med. Div.), 2009 (Med. Div.), 2010 (Med. Div.), 2011 (Large Div.), 2012 (Large Div.), 2013 (Large Div.), 2014 (Large Div.), 2015 (Med. Div.), 2021 (Med. Div.), 2023 (Coed Div.), 2024 (Coed Div.)
Cross Country (boys)	1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982
Cross Country (girls)	1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 2024
Football	1981 (Prep Bowl), 2015 (Div. II)
Golf (boys)	1966, 1967
Track & Field (boys)	1982, 1985
Track & Field (girls)	1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980
Volleyball (girls)	1971
Wrestling (boys)	1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980

Notable alumni

Listed alphabetically by last name (year of graduation):

• Stephen Akina (1988)^[5] – classical pianist, television and film score composer^[6]
• Burl Burlingame (1971)^[7] – journalist, historian, published author^[8]
• Celita De Castro (1972)^[9] – Miss Hawaii USA 1977 and top 12 semi-finalist (9th place) Miss USA 1977
• Gary Hooser (1972)^[10] – Kaua'i County Council member 1998–2002; Hawaii Senate Majority Leader and State Senator representing the Islands of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau 2003–2010^[11]
• Wayne Hunter (1999)^[12] – NFL football player, offensive lineman Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and St. Louis Rams^[13]
• Melveen Leed (1961)^[14] – singer, musician, vocal instructor^[15]
• Ashley Lelie (1998)^[16] – NFL football player, wide receiver Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Oakland Raiders^{[17] [18]}
• Craig MacIntosh (1962)^[19] – illustrator of Sally Forth (syndicated strip) and Doodles (comic strip)
• Bette Midler (1963)^[20] – singer, actress, comedian^[21]
• Nadine Nakamura (Maeda) (1979) (D, Hanalei-Princeville-Kapaa) – Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives since 2016, Majority Leader since 2022, selected in 2024 as first woman speaker of the state House
• Brian Norwood (1983)^[22] – Baylor University Assistant Head Coach (2008–2015), University of Tulsa Co-defensive coordinator (2015–2017), Kansas State University - Co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach (2018), Navy - Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2019)^[23] University of California, Los Angeles - Assistant head coach / Defensive backfield coach (2020-present)
• Ken Niumatalolo (1983)^[24] – U.S. Naval Academy Football – Head Coach (2007–2022), San Jose State University - Head Coach (2024)
• Ciana Pelekai (2018) – Miss Hawaii Teen America and Miss Teen America 2017, singer and contestant on "America's Got Talent" and "The Voice"^[25]
• Jim Phillips (1964)^[26] – three-time U.S. Champion surfer, 1998 Surfing Hall of Fame inductee,^[27] designer/builder of custom surfboards^[28]
• Mark "Hawkeye" Louis Rybczyk (1979)^[29] – disc jockey on Dallas/Fort Worth country music radio station KSCS 96.3 FM^[30]
• Velega Savali (1962) – politician, Treasurer of American Samoa (2005–2008)^[31]
• Loretta Ables Sayre (1976)^[32] – singer, actress, entertainer^[33]
• Brian Shul (1966)^[34] – USAF fighter pilot, SR-71 Blackbird pilot, published author and photographer^[35]
• Jeris White (1970)^[36] – NFL football player, corner back, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Super Bowl XVII champion Washington Redskins^[37]
• Judith Wolski (1965)^[38] – Miss Hawaii USA 1966 and top 15 semi-finalist (8th place) Miss USA 1966

External links

Official Radford High School Website

Radford High School PTSO

Radford Registration Information

Public School Review Profile

The RamPage

RamPage Broadcasting

Celebrating Radford's 50th Anniversary

Notes and References

1. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=1500030&SchoolPageNum=1&ID=150003000150 Admiral Arthur W Radford High School
2. Web site: Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools & Colleges – ACS WASC – Directory of Schools . Acs Wasc . February 28, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141219084628/http://www.acswasc.org/directory_searchdetail.cfm?O=1109&Schl=radford&City=honolulu&Cat=0&Cnty=0&SchoolCat=PublicSchool&Name=AdmiralArthurW.RadfordHighSchool&Page=1 . December 19, 2014.
3. Web site: School Status and Improvement Report : 2009-10 . Arch.k12.hi.us . February 28, 2015.
4. http://165.248.6.166/data/complexarea.asp?key_complexarea=4
5. Web site: September 15, 2004 . Radford Search – 1988 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
6. Web site: Background . March 14, 2015 . Stephenakina.com.
7. Web site: Radford Search – 1971 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
8. Web site: December 7, 1941 . Advance Force Pearl Harbor . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150216011744/http://pacificmonograph.com/pages/AFPH.html . February 16, 2015 . February 28, 2015 . Pacific Monograph.
9. Web site: Radford Search – 1972 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
10. Web site: Radford Search – 1972 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
11. Web site: Friends of Gary Hooser . February 28, 2015 . Garyhooser.com.
12. Web site: September 15, 2004 . Radford Search – 1999 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
13. Web site: Wayne Hunter, T . February 28, 2015 . National Football League.
14. Web site: Radford Search – 1961 . Dafab.us . September 15, 2004 . May 8, 2019.
15. Web site: Melveen Leed . Melveen Leed . May 8, 2019.
16. Web site: September 15, 2004 . Radford Search – 1998 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
17. Web site: December 28, 2014 . Ashley Lelie, WR . February 28, 2015 . National Football League.
18. Web site: November 5, 2005 . Radford High retires Lelie's football jersey . February 28, 2015 . The Honolulu Advertiser.
19. Web site: Radford Search – 1962 . Dafab.us . September 15, 2004 . February 28, 2015.
20. Web site: Radford Search – 1963 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
21. Web site: September 24, 2014 . Home . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150222031457/http://bettemidler.com/home/ . February 22, 2015 . February 28, 2015 . Bette Midler.
22. Web site: Brian Norwood Bio – Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151226161156/http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/norwood_brian00.html . December 26, 2015 . February 28, 2015 . BaylorBears.com.
23. Web site: 2015 Football Coaching Staff . December 29, 2016.
24. Web site: December 8, 2007 . Navy football keeps Hawaii ties, hires Ken Niumatalolo . February 28, 2015 . The Honolulu Advertiser.
25. Web site: Background . April 20, 2021 . Ciana Plelkai.
26. Web site: Radford Search – 1964 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
27. Web site: January 2017 . Class of 1998 . East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame
28. Web site: The Message . February 28, 2015 . Jimthegenius.com.
29. Web site: September 15, 2004 . Radford Search – 1979 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
30. Web site: December 2, 2012 . New Country 96.3 KSCS-FM – Mark "Hawkeye" Louis . December 29, 2016 . Kscs.com.
31. News: American Samoa treasurer fired . . . January 11, 2008 . October 19, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080603014010/http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=13659 . June 3, 2008 . dead . mdy-all .
32. Web site: April 4, 2008 . Loretta at Lincoln Center . February 28, 2015 . Midweek.com.
33. http://www.lorettaablessayre.com/ Loretta Ables Sayre
34. Web site: Radford Search – 1966 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
35. Web site: Welcome to the World of the Sled Driver . February 28, 2015 . Sleddriver.com.
36. Web site: Radford Search – 1970 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.
37. Web site: Jeris Jerome White . Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame Website . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120323163525/http://www.hawaiisportshalloffame.com/cms/index.php?page=white-jeris . March 23, 2012 . February 28, 2015 . Hawaiisportshalloffame.com.
38. Web site: Radford Search – 1965 . February 28, 2015 . Dafab.us.