The students rigged launch pads in the center of the school's football field, and used electric control boxes to ignite the rockets from a safe distance. After shooting up to 1,500 feet overhead, the rockets gently parachuted back to Earth.

The event was the brainchild of Jesse Bradley, 14, who started the school's Rocket Team last year with a group of friends who share his fascination with flying objects.

"We've learned teamwork, and we've learned to try, try again," Bradley said.

Science teacher Harold Takemura, who assists the group, predicted that Bradley will be a genuine rocket scientist one day.

Jesse Bradley

It's been rewarding to watch the group's members learn from one another, he said.

"One of the highest forms of education is having students teach other students," Takemura said.

The students found that rocket-launching requires skill and careful preparation, and doesn't always go exactly as planned. Shifting winds made it hard to calculate the trajectory of some rockets yesterday, and loose wires on a launch controller stalled a few flights.

But overall, the mission was a success, and every flight is a learning experience, the students said.

Jakob Holland, left, Ben Pasciyo, Jesse Turner (with cap) and Scott Endow, members of Waialua High School's Rocket Team, admire a model rocket that teammate Jesse Bradley is holding. Hundreds of students watched them put on their air show. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The team's other members and helpers are Jarrin Oishi, 13; Jakob Holland, 14; Scott Endow, 14; Alex Connell, 13; and Jesse Turner, 13.

Hundreds of students packed the football bleachers to watch the show before school was dismissed for the two-week break. Ben Johnson, 12, was among those who enjoyed the event.

"I think it's good because it's educational," he said. "And it's exciting."

Bradley's father, Dave Bradley, said he appreciated the school's help with the Rocket Team.

"It's been a great opportunity for Jesse, and the school has been extremely supportive," he said.

Jakob Holland, left, and Jesse Bradley prepare for another launch as Scott Endow passes by. Bradley started the school's Rocket Team last year with a group of friends who share his fascination with rockets. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I really appreciate what the teachers do that's above and beyond what they're paid to do," she said. "It's because they care for the kids. A lot of our teachers do extra things to give the kids an opportunity to develop their interests."

Another group, the Waialua Aeronautics Club, flew radio-controlled airplanes to entertain the crowd between rocket launchings. John Gleeson, a pilot who helps advise the club, said he hopes students will be encouraged to pursue careers in aeronautics and aerospace.

"We want to open their minds up a little," he said.

Dr. Jacob Hudson, who runs the Aerospace Education Lab at Windward Community College and also launched rockets at Waialua yesterday, said experimenting with model rockets launched him on a career that includes work with NASA.

"I got interested in this when I was 13 years old at King Intermediate School, and I've been interested ever since then," Hudson said.