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Voice of the Strongman - Hanalani Schools Blog
The Value of Athletics in Private Schools: Highlighting Hanalani’s Athletic Program
In Oahu, Hawaii, private schools offer students a unique opportunity to excel not only academically but also athletically. Athletics in private schools play a vital role in the development of students, fostering essential life skills, building community, and promoting physical well-being. At Hanalani Schools, our athletics program is designed to empower students, helping them grow as leaders, teammates, and individuals who embody our core values: Love God, Love Others, and Challenge Yourself.
Why Athletics Matter in Private Schools
Private school athletic programs provide more than just a platform for competition. They serve as an extension of the classroom, teaching discipline, perseverance, teamwork, humility, and leadership. For students in Oahu, the opportunity to engage in sports within a supportive and values-driven environment is especially significant. Private schools like Hanalani Schools emphasize the holistic development of each student, ensuring they are prepared for challenges both on and off the field.
Private school athletic programs provide more than just a platform for competition. They serve as an extension of the classroom, teaching discipline, perseverance, teamwork, humility, and leadership. For students in Oahu, the opportunity to engage in sports within a supportive and values-driven environment is especially significant. Private schools like Hanalani Schools emphasize the holistic development of each student, ensuring they are prepared for challenges both on and off the field.
Hanalani’s Commitment to Athletics
At Hanalani Schools, we believe athletics is a key component of a well-rounded education. Our program offers a variety of sports for students in Elementary (Grades 4 through 6), Intermediate, and High School, providing opportunities for every child to find their passion and develop their skills. Hanalani’s athletics program caters to diverse interests and abilities from basketball and volleyball to air riflery and cross-country.
At Hanalani Schools, we believe athletics is a key component of a well-rounded education. Our program offers a variety of sports for students in Elementary (Grades 4 through 6), Intermediate, and High School, providing opportunities for every child to find their passion and develop their skills. Hanalani’s athletics program caters to diverse interests and abilities from basketball and volleyball to air riflery and cross-country.
Core Features of Hanalani Athletics
Values-Driven Approach: Our athletics program reflects our commitment to character development. Coaches emphasize sportsmanship, respect, and perseverance, aligning with our school’s mission to cultivate students who are leaders and independent thinkers.
Values-Driven Approach: Our athletics program reflects our commitment to character development. Coaches emphasize sportsmanship, respect, and perseverance, aligning with our school’s mission to cultivate students who are leaders and independent thinkers.
Opportunities for All: Hanalani offers a range of sports for students at all levels, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. Whether students are seasoned athletes or trying a sport for the first time, there is a place for everyone in our program.
Experienced Coaches: Our dedicated coaching staff brings expertise and a passion for mentoring young athletes. They focus on developing both technical skills and personal growth, helping students achieve their full potential.
Facilities: Hanalani’s Student Activity Center (SAC) Gym, Kokubun Fitness Center, and other athletic facilities provide students with the necessary resources to train, compete, and thrive.
Competitive Success: Hanalani athletes consistently perform well in local and state competitions, showcasing their hard work and dedication. However, our true measure of success lies in the character and resilience our students display both on and off the field. Hanalani athletes have even competed and been invited to national-level tournaments—from Regional Cross-Country and Air Rifle championships to Basketball tournaments on the West Coast.
Benefits of Joining Hanalani Athletics
Leadership Development: Students learn to lead by example, whether as team leaders or supportive teammates. Opportunities for servant leadership are ever-present, fostering growth and character development.
Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and communication are essential components of every sport, preparing students for future challenges.
Physical Fitness: Regular participation in athletics promotes healthy habits and physical well-being.
Community Connection: Sports unite students, families, and the broader school community, fostering a sense of belonging and school pride. Our Athletics department brings in guest speakers from pastors to registered dietitians to speak on spiritual and physical health for student-athletes.
Preparation for the Future: Many of our student-athletes go on to compete at the collegiate level, equipped with the skills and discipline gained at Hanalani.
Empowering Dreams Through Athletics
At Hanalani Schools, we believe athletics are more than just games—they are opportunities to grow, learn, and achieve. Join us in empowering dreams and building brighter futures through the transformative power of sports. With the creation of an Athletic Booster Committee in 2021, Hanalani Athletics aims to partner with families and the community to support our athletes in travel and unity through events and gear
At Hanalani Schools, we believe athletics are more than just games—they are opportunities to grow, learn, and achieve. Join us in empowering dreams and building brighter futures through the transformative power of sports. With the creation of an Athletic Booster Committee in 2021, Hanalani Athletics aims to partner with families and the community to support our athletes in travel and unity through events and gear
In the past five years, Hanalani Schools' athletics program has achieved significant milestones, reflecting our commitment to excellence and holistic student development. Notable accomplishments include:
Varsity Girls Basketball: Our team won the 2025 HHSAA Division II State Championship. They finished as the HHSAA Division II State Runners-up in 2023 and 2024 and won the HHSAA Division II State Championship in 2020.
Boys Varsity Air Riflery: One of our individual Sporter Air Riflery athletes secured both the HHSAA State Champion and ILH Champion titles in 2024. Our Boys Team was the HHSAA Sporter Air Riflery State Runners-up in 2022.
Girls Varsity Cross Country: We have had an individual Girls Varsity runner clinch the ILH Champion title in 2024 and another individual runner win the ILH title and finish second in the HHSAA State Championship in 2023. The team achieved the HHSAA Division II State Championship in 2023.
Girls Varsity Volleyball: Our team won the ILH Division III Championship in 2024.
Girls Varsity Bowling: Our team secured the ILH Division II Championship title in 2023.
Boys PAC-5 Wrestling: One of our Hanalani Varsity Wrestlers finished his career with three ILH Titles, two HHSAA State Titles, one State Runner-up, one ILH MVP Award, and three First-Team League All-Star Awards.
Girls PAC-5 Soccer: Hanalani students have been a part of the team which consecutively won three HHSAA D2 State Championships.
Numerous Hanalani student athletes have earned Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) All-star recognition. In the past 3 years, they have earned a combined 30 First Team, 32 Second Team, and 26 Honorable Mentions. Through Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) State Tournament play we have had one All-Tournament Team member for girls soccer; one All-Tournament Team Member for boys soccer; one 1 HHSAA All-Tournament Team member for girls basketball; and one Most Outstanding Player for girls basketball.
Supporting Student-Athletes Futures
Hanalani Athletics Department is dedicated to helping our student athletes pursue their athletic journeys to the collegiate level. By understanding the skills, values, and characteristics that college programs seek in athletes, our athletics staff guides students to create compelling portfolios. They also encourage students who may not initially recognize their potential to reach the collegiate level to submit portfolios to universities or try out for a team after being accepted academically. The size of our school’s student body allows our athletics staff, coaches, and teachers to get to know our student athletes on a personal level. These efforts have successfully propelled students into college athletics across a variety of sports.
Supporting Student-Athletes Futures
Hanalani Athletics Department is dedicated to helping our student athletes pursue their athletic journeys to the collegiate level. By understanding the skills, values, and characteristics that college programs seek in athletes, our athletics staff guides students to create compelling portfolios. They also encourage students who may not initially recognize their potential to reach the collegiate level to submit portfolios to universities or try out for a team after being accepted academically. The size of our school’s student body allows our athletics staff, coaches, and teachers to get to know our student athletes on a personal level. These efforts have successfully propelled students into college athletics across a variety of sports.
Concordia University - Irvine | Volleyball |
Cal Baptist University | Soccer |
Humbolt State | Cross-Country, Track & Field |
Azuza Pacific University | Cross-Country and Track & Field |
Whitworth University | Cross-Country, Track & Field, and Football |
Briar Cliff University | Volleyball |
Walla Walla University | Basketball |
Westcliff University | Softball |
The Master's University | Cross-Country and Track & Field |
Union University | Cross-Country |
San Francisco State | Wrestling |
University of the Redlands | Track & Field |
Pacific University (OR) | Volleyball |
Chaminade University | Volleyball |
Join the Hanalani Royals
At Hanalani Schools, we are proud of our athletics program and the opportunities it provides for our students. Whether it’s on the court, in the pool, or on the field, our Royals embody the spirit of teamwork, determination, and excellence.
At Hanalani Schools, we are proud of our athletics program and the opportunities it provides for our students. Whether it’s on the court, in the pool, or on the field, our Royals embody the spirit of teamwork, determination, and excellence.
If you’re considering a private school in Oahu that prioritizes both academic and athletic development, we invite you to learn more about Hanalani Schools. Visit our Athletics Page to explore the sports we offer and discover how our program can empower your child to succeed.
