The Maui News

Kulanihakoi High School chose the manta ray to be its mascot with the school colors of silver and black, with the student body and extracurricular teams to be called the “Kulanihakoi Rays.”

The selection process was led by current ninth-grade students who narrowed down a few options and presented the three top choices to students and families at the elementary schools and middle school in the Kulanihakoi complex, according to a news release.

The information was also shared with school community members and a public survey showed the manta ray as the most popular choice.

“We are thrilled to make this special announcement for our Kulanihakoi High ohana and for our students who worked so hard to make the selection process open to the entire community,” said Principal Halle Maxwell in a news release.

“The official school mascot and colors help to define our school identity and give our students a shared sense of place, history and pride that they will carry throughout their lives.”

Kulanihakoi High School opened to ninth-graders at the beginning of School Year 2022-23 at a temporary site at Lokelani Intermediate School until Phase II of construction is completed.

Phase II will construct the upper campus and includes administration, classroom, library and cafeteria buildings, along with physical education locker rooms, a playcourt, temporary playfield and open spaces.

Future phases will continue construction as funding is available. At full capacity, the campus is designed for an enrollment of 1,600 students, according to the news release.

Now, Kulanihakoi High will be seeking design ideas from all age groups for its official logo later this year. More details on the submission process will be announced.