school's first graduates and supposedly gave a lei to a fellow graduate who was without one during their commencement ceremony. The Tong family also awarded the school's Salutatorian award and trophy with a cash prize until 2003, when the Salutatorian returned the cash prize out of respect for the family's disagreement with the school's current practice of awarding the Valedictorian distinction to more than one student. The Valedictorian trophy is maintained by the Hilo High School Foundation. Now, with the introduction of AP classes to Hilo High, it is possible for more than one student to become a valedictorian within the same graduating class since AP classes allow the student to get over a 4.0. The current requirements for becoming a valedictorian include getting the distinguished BOE diploma as well as getting a weighted GPA of at least 4.0. Clubs Hilo High supports an array of clubs that promotes and supports the talents, knowledge, ambitions and abilities of the students. The clubs also train and prepare students for future professional careers, and allows the school and students to give back to the community through community service events. DECA Key Club KVIKS Media Leo Club Math League Performing Arts Learning Center (PALC) Robotics Notable alumni James Kealoha (1926), first lieutenant governor of Hawaii Pat Saiki (1948), United States Congresswoman Yoshi Oyakawa (1951), Olympic swimming gold medalist in the 1952 Summer Olympics Gil Kahele (1960), American politician and Democratic member of the Hawaii Senate Robert Kiyosaki (1965), author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad Jennifer Doudna (1981), American biochemist, developer of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing method, 2020 Nobel laureate Lorraine Inouye, Hawaii County Mayor and State Senator Lois-Ann Yamanaka (1979), author BJ Penn (1995), retired MMA Fighter former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion and UFC Hall of Fame Member Gallery References External links Hilo High School Foundation Hilo High Robotics Official Website Educational institutions established in 1906 Schools in Hawaii County, Hawaii Public high schools in Hawaii Buildings and structures in Hilo, Hawaii 1906 establishments in Hawaii Hawaii Register of Historic Places in Hawaii County, Hawaii