DEEDS NOT WORDS
HAPPENING NOW!
Attention Cadets! This school year is coming to an end. Waimea JROTC will be holding several important boards soon. We will have the Top 3 Board, Staff Board, and the Cadet of the Year/NCO Board. Each board is a great opportunity to demonstrate leadership, knowledge, and dedication. More information will be released soon for the COTYB/NCO Board soon. Do you have what it takes to be next year's leader?
The Top 3 Board selects the Cadet Battalion Commander, Executive Officer, and Command Sergeant Major, the highest leadership positions in our corps. Cadets are evaluated on leadership ability, confidence, communication, and knowledge of JROTC standards. These cadets lead the battalion and oversee all operations.
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The Staff Board interviews and selects cadets for key staff officer positions, including S1 (Personnel), S2 (Security), S3 (Operations), S4 (Logistics), and S5 (Public Affairs). Each position plays a vital role in planning, organizing events, and maintaining the battalion’s efficiency and success.
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We MOtivate Young People to Become Better Citizens!
The Waimea High School JROTC Menehune Battalion was established in 1995. Currently the Menehune Battalion is the largest in the state of Hawaii. We consist of 136 cadets from grades 9-12.
The program's mission is to "Motivate Young People to Become Better Citizens." This is achieved through leadership application and selfless service. We participate and initiate numerous community service projects within Kauai's community. In addition, our Special Teams such as the Color Guard and Honor Guard participate in many ceremonial events, bearing allegiance to the nation and its flag. Special teams such as Drill Team and Adventure Challenge Team participate in competitions off-island, representing the Menehune with distinction.
Our motto is "DEEDS NOT WORDS", a saying that our cadets live by. They are motivated to do go forward and perform deeds to our school, community and nation. Young leaders are taught by instructors and mentored by fellow cadets who share the belief that one must learn to follow before they can lead. This ethos produces leaders that truly understand what they ask of their subordinates.
The program's mission is to "Motivate Young People to Become Better Citizens." This is achieved through leadership application and selfless service. We participate and initiate numerous community service projects within Kauai's community. In addition, our Special Teams such as the Color Guard and Honor Guard participate in many ceremonial events, bearing allegiance to the nation and its flag. Special teams such as Drill Team and Adventure Challenge Team participate in competitions off-island, representing the Menehune with distinction.
Our motto is "DEEDS NOT WORDS", a saying that our cadets live by. They are motivated to do go forward and perform deeds to our school, community and nation. Young leaders are taught by instructors and mentored by fellow cadets who share the belief that one must learn to follow before they can lead. This ethos produces leaders that truly understand what they ask of their subordinates.
"DEEDS NOT WORDS"
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(@menehun3jrotc)
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(@menehun3jrotc)
BATTALION PREVIEW
LATEST EVENT
Menehune Adventure Challenge
March 21st, 2026
The Menehune Adventure Challenge at Waimea is a JROTC Raider-style competition where teams from across Hawaiʻi tackle a series of intense physical events that test endurance, strength, and teamwork. Cadets compete in seven challenges, including a 2‑mile beach run, tug-o-war, physical fitness test, 400‑yard swim relay, rope bridge, spider crossing, and obstacle course, all set against Waimea’s coastal environment.
March 21st, 2026
The Menehune Adventure Challenge at Waimea is a JROTC Raider-style competition where teams from across Hawaiʻi tackle a series of intense physical events that test endurance, strength, and teamwork. Cadets compete in seven challenges, including a 2‑mile beach run, tug-o-war, physical fitness test, 400‑yard swim relay, rope bridge, spider crossing, and obstacle course, all set against Waimea’s coastal environment.
OUR WAIMEA 2025-2026 INSTRUCTORS
COL(RET.) Vincent Lee FReeman JR. |
SENIOR ARMY INSTRUCTORColonel (Retired) Vincent L. Freeman, Jr., born in Texas and raised in Texas and Oklahoma, retired from the U. S. Army in 2014 after over 31 years of military service. Colonel Freeman was an Army JROTC cadet in high school and enlisted in the Army National Guard while simultaneously enrolled in Army ROTC at the University of Oklahoma where he received an early commission as a Field Artillery Officer in 1985. Colonel Freeman is a combat veteran Field Artillery Officer, European Foreign Area Officer, Strategist, and Joint Planner with
experience as a cadet, an enlisted soldier, and an officer in the reserve and active components involving 16 duty assignments, including 6 overseas, and official duties in 20 countries in three different theaters. He has served in operational assignments with the 45th Field Artillery Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, Second Armored Cavalry Regiment, and 25th Infantry Division, as well as three assignments at US. Embassy-Rome, Italy, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon, and U.S. Strategic Command. He has served as a Senior Army Instructor since 2015. |
SGM(Ret.) Keith K. Castaneda |
ARMY INSTRUCTOR
SGM Keith K. Castaneda has taught at Waimea High School since 2009. Throughout his years in United States Army he has been a Senior Operations Manager, Senior Installation Operations Manager, and Education Course Manager. SGM Castaneda had also served as Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (SROTC) Instructor in Oregon State University. IN addition to this he has been involved in the various communities he has lived in, serving as Community Service Volunteer in El Paso, TX, and a School Service Volunteer at Kekaha Elementary School. SGM Castaneda currently teaches freshmen and sophomore cadets, giving lessons in Citizenship, Government, Health and guiding their development.
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OUR Special Teams
COMMANDERS message
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Aloha, and Welcome to the official website of the Waimea High School JROTC Battalion! I’m C/LTC Brynn Lee Hirata, and I'm honored to serve as your Cadet Battalion Commander for the 2025–2026 school year. I’m excited to lead alongside such a motivated and talented group of students, supported by our dedicated parents, school staff, and community members. Together, we have the opportunity to grow, lead, and inspire. This year, we are committed to developing leaders through active participation. True leadership grows when you engage fully, whether it be accepting challenges, working together as a team, and embracing opportunities to step beyond what feels comfortable. Every event, task, and responsibility is a chance to strengthen your skills and make a real impact on our battalion. The more you get involved, the more you’ll discover your potential and the positive influence you can have. Leaders must also set the tone by example. Our actions speak louder than our words, and when we lead with integrity, discipline, and service, we inspire others to follow. Finally, morale matters. By encouraging one another, celebrating achievements, and staying positive through challenges, we create a strong, united battalion where every cadet feels valued and ready to excel. These values: active involvement, leading by example, and uplifting one another, are the true embodiment of our motto: “Deeds, Not Words.” Let our actions speak for us, proving our commitment, integrity, and determination every single day. Let’s make this year one of growth, unity, and pride. Living our motto in everything we do. Mahalo!
"Deeds Not Words" |
Cadet Liutenant Col.
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