The Honolulu City Council recognized ʻEwa Makai Middle School's national champion drone team during its Full Council meeting on August 12.
Eighth-grade students Rinarose Palacpac and Rachel Kauihou alongside Coaches Keao Cockett and Valerie Oka were presented with an Honorary Certificate celebrating their outstanding achievement and national success.
Earlier this year, the student duo captured the inaugural 2026 National SkillsUSA Commercial Drone Competition championship in Atlanta, Georgia, outperforming the nation's top high school and college competitors in a series of demanding commercial drone missions.
The Honolulu City Council recognized ʻEwa Makai Middle School's national champion drone team during its Full Council meeting on August 12.
Eighth-grade students Rinarose Palacpac and Rachel Kauihou alongside Coaches Keao Cockett and Valerie Oka were presented with an Honorary Certificate celebrating their outstanding achievement and national success.
Earlier this year, the student duo captured the inaugural 2026 National SkillsUSA Commercial Drone Competition championship in Atlanta, Georgia, outperforming the nation's top high school and college competitors in a series of demanding commercial drone missions.
Coaches Keao Cockett and Valerie Oka have helped turn ʻEwa Makai’s Aviation Pathways Program into an impactful program. Photo: Josh Koh
Rinarose piloted the aircraft while Rachel served as visual observer and mapping specialist. Together, they first claimed the Hawaiʻi SkillsUSA Commercial sUAS Championship before soaring to the national title through exceptional teamwork, precision, and technical expertise.
Their victory continues the remarkable success of ʻEwa Makai Middle School's Aviation Pathways Program. Since launching in 2021 as Hawaiʻi's first public middle school dedicated to commercial drone education, the program has equipped students with hands-on experience in aviation, engineering, aerial mapping, search and rescue, inspections, cinematography, and other emerging technologies.
Under the leadership of Coach and Program Founder Keao Cockett and Coach Valerie Oka, the program also won the 2024 National Middle School Aerial Drone Competition Championship.
The City Council's recognition celebrated more than a national championship—it honored a program that empowers students to dream big, develop real-world skills, and lead Hawaiʻi into the future of aviation and technology.
Rinarose piloted the aircraft while Rachel served as visual observer and mapping specialist. Together, they first claimed the Hawaiʻi SkillsUSA Commercial sUAS Championship before soaring to the national title through exceptional teamwork, precision, and technical expertise.
Their victory continues the remarkable success of ʻEwa Makai Middle School's Aviation Pathways Program. Since launching in 2021 as Hawaiʻi's first public middle school dedicated to commercial drone education, the program has equipped students with hands-on experience in aviation, engineering, aerial mapping, search and rescue, inspections, cinematography, and other emerging technologies.
Under the leadership of Coach and Program Founder Keao Cockett and Coach Valerie Oka, the program also won the 2024 National Middle School Aerial Drone Competition Championship.
The City Council's recognition celebrated more than a national championship—it honored a program that empowers students to dream big, develop real-world skills, and lead Hawaiʻi into the future of aviation and technology.
What began with learning to fly and map at ʻEwa Makai has become a national success story for two of Hawaiʻi’s young innovators. Photo: Josh Koh
Cover Photo:
Rinarose, Rachel, and their coaches were welcomed to the Council Chamber for a special recognition of a season that took them all the way to the top of the national podium. Photo: Josh Koh
Cover Photo:
Rinarose, Rachel, and their coaches were welcomed to the Council Chamber for a special recognition of a season that took them all the way to the top of the national podium. Photo: Josh Koh
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