Alumni Spotlight: A Damien Story That Comes Full Circle

A Monarch Memory from ’98

For Phil Higa’98, Damien Memorial has always been more than a school—it’s where he was shaped as a student, where he returned to teach, and now, where he gets to watch his daughter Madi ’26 make her own memories.

Phil still recalls one of his favorite moments from senior year baseball: “We beat Kamehameha at Ala Wai on my dad’s birthday. One of the Kamehameha batters hit a foul ball that broke a window on my dad’s truck. My dad said it was worth it. My brother Matty was also on the team, so the three of us got to share that awesome day.”

Much has changed since then—including Damien becoming co-ed. Phil admits, “Because I had graduated from the men-only version of Damien and began my teaching career the same way, I initially had some apprehension about that change.

“But Damien is such a better place for it. The women of Damien have brought to our campus additional depth and color that I didn’t have the imagination to foresee,” he adds.

They don’t just love teaching. They love Damien.

Then and Now at Damien

Still, the heart of Damien remains the same. Higa points to the tradition of teachers who invest deeply in their students. Teachers like Rudy Alejo, Steve Lewis, Ian Cooke, Sharaine Kim, Neil Nitta, and Br. Francis Popish laid that foundation in high school, but also when he became an educator himself. “My mentors went beyond the classroom,” he said.

“Today, I see that same passion in my colleagues. They don’t just love teaching. They love Damien.”

One tradition, in particular, stands out for him: the bricklaying ceremony and walk across the Alumni Path. “The event signals the students’ transition from seniors to members of the alumni association,” Higa said. “It is an honor to be included in the group of faculty and staff alums to welcome the seniors into our family.”

A Family Tradition Continues

That feeling of tradition hit home when his daughter, Madi, entered high school. “When I saw her in her cheer uniform with MONARCHS across her chest, I cried,” Higa describes. “I didn’t know it would matter so much. But it did.”

Madi started her Monarch journey in middle school. Now a senior, Madi recalls riding to campus early with her dad. She shares that “throughout my time at Damien, many people have asked me how I’d feel when I have him as a teacher.” This year, she officially has her dad as her 12th grade English teacher.

Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue newscasting and continue leading in college and beyond. “Through Student Government, I found I love helping others,” she said. “I don’t like bossing people around, but I like guiding teamwork.”

Passing on Traditions and Values

Madi hopes to create a new tradition connecting with students who, like her, have parents working at Damien.

Reflecting on his journey, Higa ties it all back to the school’s motto: Viriliter Age. “Most of life is in small, daily responsibilities,” he said. “The most Viriliter Age thing I can do is take care of the ‘have to’ list before the ‘want to’ one.”