Pearl City Robotics Team Qualifies For World Competition

Teams from middle and high schools from across the island competed in the VEX Robotics Competition Invitational Tournament from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 19 at Pearlridge Center.

Weyland Bailey and Anthony Akuna

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Waianae High robotics adviser Weyland Bailey assists Anthony Akuna as he replaces a motor that broke in the previous match. Photos by Lawrence Tabudlo, ltabudlo@midweek.com.

The tournament, produced by the award-winning McKinley High School Robotics Team, was part of the 2012 Engineers Week in Hawaii celebration.

Participating schools included Campbell High, Hawaii Technology Academy, Kaimuki High, Kaimuki Middle, Kaiser High, Kalani High, Kalaheo High, Kalakaua Intermediate, Kohala High, MidPacific Institute, Maryknoll High, Moanalua High, Moanalua Middle, Pearl City High, Radford High, Roosevelt High, St. Andrew’s Priory and Waianae High.

Pearl City High School won the Team Excellence Award, which qualifies the team to participate in the World VEX Championships in Anaheim, Calif., in April. The three-team alliance of Pearl City, Kohala and Mid-Pacific Institute also qualified for the national VEX championships to be held in Omaha, Neb.