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The Pinion

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The student-run newspaper of McKinley High School

The Pinion

The student-run newspaper of McKinley High School

The Pinion

Kumu Kuaanaai Lewis adopted the title “Kumu” in 1993 to honor his Native Hawaiian ancestry and now teaches Papa ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi to help students connect with their roots.

Finding Identity Through ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

Dominic Niyo and Kena Anien October 2, 2025

Editors’ note: An earlier version of this article was published in Vol. 104, No. 1 of The Pinion, with slight revisions made for this publication. After more than twenty years, Hawaiian language classes...

Chief Charletta Burke has been serving as one of McKinley’s JROTC instructors since early 2024.

New JROTC Instructor Empowers Women

Olivia Gibson October 2, 2025

After more than a century of JROTC instructors at McKinley High School, Chief Charletta Burke has broken new ground as the program's first female instructor. But what makes her story noteworthy is not...

Leif Allgood's official portrait for The Pinion in the 2024-25 school year. By Cheska Orias.

In Memoriam: Leif Allgood

Dominic Niyo, Rose Ganotisi, and Alex Tijerina October 1, 2025

Editors' note: An earlier version of this memoriam was published in Vol. 104, No. 1 of The Pinion, with slight revisions made for this publication. Leif Allgood '26 was born on May 19, 2008, in Whittier,...

Art by Cheska Orias (c/o '26)

New Year, New Teachers

Cheska Orias, Editor-in-Chief September 23, 2025

Acoba Seeks To Learn Carla Acoba first started teaching science in the Philippines for six years and then taught in Maui for a year before finally coming to McKinley to teach physical science and...

Coach Francis Takasaki at Softball Practice 
Photo by Kena Anien (c/o '27)

McKinley’s Softball Team Welcomes Retired Kapa’a Coach

Rose Ganotisi September 23, 2025

After forfeiting every game last season because they could not field a team, the Tigers are starting fresh this year with a new softball coach. Francis Takasaki, who taught strength training since 2009...

Gilbert the Chicken rounds the pillar by the band room.
Photo by Liane Dumalan (c/o ‘28)

Chicken Finds Home with McKinley’s Band

Jacky Oasay September 23, 2025

A group of Band and Orchestra students stayed after school on Freshman Orientation Day to clean up the band room. When most of them were packing up to leave, they opened the doors to a friend—a chicken. Liane...

Vietnamese Club promotes themselves at their Club Day booth. Photo by Cheska Orias (c/o '26)

Vietnamese Club Returns to McKinley

Nhi Nguyen September 23, 2025

Vietnamese Club, started this school year by president Tammy Nguyen (c/o ‘27), is a newly revived club that aims to share the Vietnamese culture to both Vietnamese students and anyone who is curious...

Indoor Percussion performing "Rise and Grind" at the McKinley Indoor Home Show on April 6.

McKinley Starts Indoor Percussion

May 15, 2025

After McKinley High School Band’s first competitive marching band season, they started a new tradition with the addition of an Indoor Percussion ensemble. Indoor percussion is a variation of a marching...

The Winter Guard Performing "The Barbie Show" at the McKinley Indoor Home Show on April 6.

McKinley Starts Winter Guard

Jacky Oasay May 15, 2025

After McKinley High School Band’s first competitive marching band season, they started a ensemble with the addition of a Winter Guard group. Winter Guard is an indoor variation of a marching band...

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