The commencement exercises for the Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind added to the state’s official languages of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English one more: American Sign Language.
Five Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind seniors line up as part of the graduating class of 2025. From left, Thanicia Gideon, Odreigh Maskell, Tessie Radl, Zion Sale and Mikaiah Ventura wait to enter the graduation ceremony. Genesis Mose and Kaiyah Ann Pacleb were already seated. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)Senior Odreigh Maskell sings “Greatest Love of All” for her Senior American Sign Language (ASL) Performance. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)
Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind alumni and friends wave their hands during Odreigh Maskell’s Senior ASL Performance singing “Greatest Love of All.” (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)
Koa Radl applauds for his daughter Tessie Radl after her Senior Message thanking family, friends and teachers. Tessie boards at the school in Honolulu during the week and commutes home to the Big Island on the weekends. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)
Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind graduates Genesis Mose, from left in back, Kaiyah Ann Pacleb, Odreigh Maskell, Thanicia Gideon, third left in front, Zion Sale, Tessie Radl and Mikaiah Ventura sign “Thank you,” as the crowd applauds their achievements. Joining them on the stage are Hawaiʻi Department of Education Complex Area Superintendent Rochelle Mahoe, HSDB Principal Angel Ramos and Superintendent Keith Hayashi. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)
ASL for “thank you” is an open hand, palm facing neck and fingers to the chin, then the hand moves in a sweeping downward motion toward the person they’re showing appreciation to.
Friends and family photograph the Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind graduating class of 2025. Vice Principal David Hunter said this is one of their larger graduating classes. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)Friends and family applaud the graduating class of 2025. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)
Hands waving in the air is ASL for applause.
Family and friends surround graduate Kaiyah Ann Pacleb after the graduation ceremony. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)
Other than its small size — seven students — hushed tones and plentiful use of sign language, the Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind graduation was no different than others in the Aloha State. Families of the graduating seniors placed their photos and banners where students could receive lei and gifts and celebrate their achievements with family, friends, supporters, teachers and school staff.
Graduate Thanicia Gideon laughs at the weight of all her lei. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)Zion Sale, left, gives fellow Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind graduate Mikaiah Venture a lei. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)Sadie Radl laughs at the height of lei getting stuck in her sister Tessie Radl’s hair. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind teacher Brien Nakamoto hugs graduate Thanicia Gideon after giving her a lei. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind Principal Angel Ramos, center, finds a surprise among graduate Tessie Radl’s numerous lei. Tessie’s sisters Sadie and Ella Radl enjoy the light moment after the graduation ceremony. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025)
“Being a student is hard. Being a deaf student is harder,” Keynote Speaker Stephen Laracuente said through an ASL interpreter. These seven graduates discovered the community of ASL speakers in Hawaiʻi with support from the Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Department of Education. Some graduates worked part-time jobs while in school and plan to continue working. Others are moving on to higher education.
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