Elite Element Academy became the first school from Hawaii to win the NSSA National High School Championship today at San Clemente, Calif.

Elite Element — which is a home-school program — defeated Carlsbad (Calif.) High in the final. The finals were run in 3- to 4-foot waves at Lower Trestles.

Kiron Jabour of Oahu's North Shore placed first in the championship heat to lead Elite Element to the team title. Coco Ho — the only girl in the championship heat — placed third.

"This is a first for Hawaii, and we're excited about it," Elite Element coach Tony Moniz said. "This is the first year we put this team together, so it was a challenge, but the kids came through in the end."

Members of the team are Jabour, Ho, Kelia Moniz, Kaimana Jaquias, Micah Moniz, Kealamakia Naihe, Isiah Moniz and Kaoli Kahokuloa.

No previous Hawaii high school team had ever placed higher than second in the 30-year history of the NSSA championships.

The high school team championship was part of the NSSA National Championships. More than 500 scholastic surfers from around the nation are participating. The individual divisions are scheduled to run this weekend.