Grace under pressure: Puna’s class of 2022 endured Kilauea eruption, global pandemic

Students at Pahoa and Keaau high schools endured challenges the past four years that no other graduating class faced before.

They survived Hurricane Lane, the 2018 lower Puna eruption and a global pandemic, forcing them to face disruption while navigating all the challenges that high school normally presents.

“We worked hard on talking about these issues and coming together,” said Pahoa High Principal Kim Williamson. “I’m so glad we’re finally able to celebrate properly, even if it’s a little bit smaller.”

Working together, the students made it to graduation, an in-person event this year for the students and their families.

“This group did not let anything get in their way, and they really have such a great attitude, given their circumstances,” said Keaau High Principal Dean Cevallos. “If I could say a group of students had grit, this group is it.”

Students from both schools cited unconditional support from teachers, staff, friends and family as key factors in helping them remain focused during the challenging four years. That support led to historic results.

“Through all of this, we have around an 89% graduation rate, and the students have one of the highest scholarship amounts, over $2 million,” Cevallos said. “That’s the second-highest in the school’s records.”

Pahoa High has roughly 90 students graduating this year, with many receiving academic and athletic scholarships that exceeded previous years.

Students emerged from the pressures with a sense of optimism and confidence, planning to bring the lessons they learned into the future to inspire others facing similar challenges.

“If you’re going out to the mainland for college,” asked Williamson of the students, “Remember, Hawaii is pretty amazing. Hopefully, you can bring some of the amazing things you’ve learned out there back to us. But also, take some of our amazing stuff to the rest of the world, too. Share our aloha. We certainly could use it out there.”

The goals of the students are diverse and ambitious, including higher education, sports, sciences, culinary arts and technical careers, but all were inspired by their Big Island experiences.

The challenges created by the eruption and pandemic forced students to grapple with adulthood early, but also provided them with unexpected opportunities to grow.

As their high school careers end, several students reflected on their journey and shared their experiences.

“This is their day, and they’ve really earned it,” Williamson said. “I just want it to be about the kids.”

Kala‘i Midel, Pahoa varsity athlete

Midel is a four-year letterman who played varsity football and basketball at Pahoa. For him, the 2018 eruption had a direct impact on his family.

“Some of my family had to evacuate and went to different schools,” he said. “And then, when COVID hit, it hit hard and changed everything. I couldn’t talk to friends, and it was hard not seeing them.”

It also affected Midel’s involvement in sports.

“I missed a whole year,” he said. “And it was hard coming back.”

When Midel returned, playing basketball with his teammates became his favorite Pahoa High memory.

“I thought I would never experience that again,” he said. “When I first stepped back on that court, I felt like I was home.”

Midel plans on attending Hawaii Community College to study carpentry and was looking forward to graduating in-person.

“My cousin graduated last year, and she graduated from a car,” he said. “When they said we could walk in person, it was amazing. I always dreamed of this.”

Sachiko Kurashima-Schutz, Pahoa senior class president

Kurashima-Schutz attended Pahoa schools for 13 years and became class president and a valedictorian. She earned academic honors, was Student of the Year in the career and technical category and received several academic scholarships.

“It’s been a journey, to say the least,” she said, noting the challenges began during the 2018 lava flow. “We had a lot of friends who were displaced, and it was hard seeing them go through that. We didn’t know where our attention needed to be. Was it in class? Helping our family and friends who couldn’t be there? It was a lot of confusing and conflicting situations to pick between, and I think a lot of us really came together and found out who we were as a community.”

Then COVID-19 provided its own set of challenges for Kurashima-Schutz.

“It was different, but some of the feelings were the same,” she said. “We’ve seen Pahoa change in a lot of ways, and it’s sad to be leaving, but it’s also heartwarming. We’ve done our part, and it’s time for someone else.”

Kurashima-Schutz will attend the University of Arizona to study engineering.

“I’m nervous but excited, and I’m proud of myself for making it through all this,” she said. “A lot of people look down on Pahoa, but a lot of greatness comes from Pahoa, too. It’s important to always be confident and proud of where you come from, and I’m very proud to come from Pahoa and to graduate from this school. I think other students should be proud of that too.”

Crystal Ann Simeon, Keaau valedictorian

Simeon is one of Keaau’s valedictorians who just barely avoided the 2018 lava flow.

“When it happened, I was on the mainland for a robotics competition,” she said. “I know some friends that lost their homes, which was tough, but it felt like everyone came together and helped rally around one another.”

While the lava flow and hurricane braced her for uncertainty, it didn’t prepare Simeon for COVID-19.

“It didn’t prepare me for being so isolated at home, not knowing what was going to happen,” she said. “But luckily, I had really good friends, and we kept in touch. I know it was hard for a lot of people, and it’s just not the same through a screen as it is being face-to-face with everybody.”

A lot changed for Simeon during the pandemic. She made new friends, saw old ones graduate from their cars, and earned her driver’s license.

“It changed my life, and we lost almost two years of high school,” she said. “Sophomore and junior year are when you start to really figure yourself out, and we missed that. We had to do it on our own.”

Simeon was excited for events to finally return on campus this year.

“We had prom and homecoming, and I’m just super grateful,” she said, adding she was elected this year’s prom queen.

She plans to attend Grand Canyon University to study mechanical engineering, inspired by her experience competing in the robotics state championships.

“Even though life changes, you can’t stop doing what you love,” she said, thanking her teachers, family and friends for helping her through the pandemic.

Trayana-Mae Rosario and Jacile Palma, Pahoa early graduates

Both Rosario and Palma are juniors at Pahoa High who are graduating early after completing additional courses.

Palma switched schools from Keonepoko to Pahoa due to the 2018 lava flow.

“It was weird going to a new school and not knowing the same people that you knew before,” she said, adding her family moved in with her grandfather after being displaced by the eruption.

The hurdles continued with COVID, but Palma gained insight that she’s grateful for.

“I feel like I learned a lot about myself,” she said. “All that time I spent alone was really eye-opening.”

“Online school was difficult,” added Rosario. “When I found out we had the option to graduate early, I went to my counselors, and they explained everything.”

Rosario plans to become a nurse, and Palma received a scholarship as Athlete of the Year, planning to play volleyball at Fresno State while studying kinesiology.

“I didn’t think I would make it this far,” said Rosario. “But I pushed myself and made it. It was a struggle in the beginning, but we got into the groove of things together.”

Daichi Marquis, Pahoa National Honors Society president

Marquis became the National Honors Society president after staying home part of the year during the 2018 lava flow due to his sensitivity to vog.

“It’s a relief to finally graduate,” he said, reflecting on the challenges. “But I know it’s going to be a bigger challenge in the next coming months.”

Marquis plans to attend UH Manoa to study religion.

“It feels anti-climactic because of all the challenges we faced the past four years,” he said about graduating. “But I learned no matter what, try to make the most of the challenges that you can, because in the end, you’ll come out a better and stronger person.”

He added the impact of COVID provided him with valuable lessons.

“It was extremely difficult, like starting a whole new life with all these restrictions,” he said. “But I made it because of my friends. We all see each other’s success and achievements and get inspired to keep going.”

Baily Gapusan, Keaau varsity athlete

Gapusan attended Keaau schools for 13 years, creating strong bonds between friends and classmates who helped him during the 2018 eruption, hurricane and pandemic.

“I had a couple friends who lived in the area who had rough times,” he said of the lava flow. “Then, when the hurricane hit, it was hard not just because of school, but because we had family members who lived somewhere else, and getting into contact was difficult. It was hard, but nothing like when COVID hit us.”

Gapusan said the most difficult aspect of the pandemic was losing out on time with friends.

“We missed so much of each other’s lives that it was sad trying to catch up on what you missed,” he said. “But the biggest takeaway from COVID was spending more time with my family. You never know what can happen, and it was a real eye-opener that family is important. They’re there for you from start to finish.”

Gapusan played football and volleyball throughout his time at Keaau High, and joined the paddling team during his final year.

He plans on attending UH-Manoa, then transferring to UCLA to study aerospace science to become a pilot, a goal he’s had since he was 7.

“It’s very exciting to be here, but I’m sad to leave my family. That’s what I call them,” he said, referring to his classmates. “These things made us close and I’m proud of them all.”

Jamie Pablo-Andres, Pahoa senior class vice president

Pablo-Andres is vice president of the Pahoa High senior class, as well as a four-year letterman who earned Athlete of the Year. She described the chaotic events throughout her high school experience as providing a silver lining for the community.

“It brought us some comfort to know we were all going through it together, and that we could support one another and be there for each other,” she said. “That’s how we got through it.”

Throughout her time at Pahoa, dealing with COVID was the most difficult.

“The most challenging thing was getting used to not having face-to-face interactions,” she said. “You can see it in our class. Some students don’t feel comfortable talking to others anymore, and started to go inside themselves.”

But returning in person helped students support one another to overcome these challenges.

“It’s not going to last forever,” she said. “Everything comes to an end, so knowing this is a part of what has to happen gives us some comfort.”

Pablo-Andres will attend the University of Arizona next year via academic and athletic scholarships to study sports and entertainment management.

“I plan on coming back to Pahoa as an athletic director,” she said, thanking the support from the community during her time on campus. “When people come to athletic events, it’s such a relief seeing there is so much support and love coming from Pahoa. It’s one of the many great things that people don’t normally see.”

Mailee Cervantes-Bautista, Keaau valedictorian

Cervantes-Bautista started Keaau schools since sixth grade and became a valedictorian. Although she wasn’t displaced by the 2018 lava flow, it affected her greatly.

“I know a lot of people that were affected by it and a couple friends who moved off island because of it,” she said. “We were just getting closer at that time too, so when they moved, it was pretty hard.”

The hard times continued with COVID, which she described as “the most challenging part of the past four years.”

“COVID was way different than anything else I’ve experienced,” she said. “It really affected a lot of us, especially my family. My mom took off work for a while, and it was really scary. Going to school in the beginning, nobody was certain what was going to happen, and it took us all by surprise.”

But the time at home with her mom led to Cervantes-Bautista helping her family make dinner, inspiring her to pursue a career in culinary arts next year at Hawaii Community College.

“I definitely got used to being at home more often, so coming back into school was a transition, and I had to acclimate,” she said. “During the pandemic, I didn’t go out very much, and a lot of my friends didn’t either. We were home most of the time, and I barely got to see them. But this year, we had our senior luau and senior prom, which was nice. When we got back in person, we started doing more activities than we did before. It helped us get back into the spirit of things.”

Maribel Agpaoa, Keaau valedictorian

Agpaoa attended Keaau schools for 13 years and graduated as one of the school’s valedictorians and National Honors Society students.

“Our freshman year was the start of it all,” she said. “Ever since middle school even, our class has been thrown a lot of unexpected things and uncertainty. But it helped us prepare for things like COVID.”

With a lack of on-campus activities, Agpaoa relied on her friends, family and school to overcome obstacles.

“We have a good amount of teachers who reached out to students, and the friend groups here are very close. Everyone’s friend with everyone,” she said. “It was tough coming back. For some students, distance learning was easier and it was hard getting into the routine of things again.”

Agpaoa plans to attend the University of Manoa next year to study biology.

“It feels amazing, being here at graduation and being able to have it in person,” she said. “I know sometimes it’s hard for students who are still breaking out of their shell, but don’t be scared to try new things and make friends. That’s what I learned.”

Graduations celebrating the students of Pahoa and Keaau are ticketed events for students and their families.

Keaau’s graduation took place at 4 p.m. in the stadium on Friday.

Pahoa’s graduation will take place at 1 p.m. today in the gym.

Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com