Last year, the homecoming court took a pause when lack of time and planning ended the tradition that has spanned generations at Mid-Pacific, school officials said.

But this year, plans are well underway to return to the school’s roots with a formal homecoming court with representatives from each class. Students at Mid-Pacific said they are excited about the court this year.

“I’m glad they are bringing it back because most of the students look forward to it every year,” said senior Emiko Yoshikawa.

A Na Pueo survey of 280 students reported that 67 percent of students wanted the homecoming court to come back, while just 7 percent said they did not want a court.

“I was bummed when they got rid of it but thrilled that it’s back,” said sophomore Ian Ishibashi.

The director of student activities, Bill Wheeler, and assistant principal for student life, Jennifer Grems said they decided last year to suspend the homecoming court due to a large amount of unanswered questions.

“We were unsure of what we were planning, so there was no plan to begin with,” said Wheeler in a recent interview.

The decision contained many facets to stop the court not only due to lack of time and planning but also because of gender issues and the traditional outlook, said Wheeler.

“Yes, we want it to look like how it was 30 years ago but schools on the Mainland as well as Hawaii are moving away from the traditional boy-girl couple type of court,” said Wheeler.

Many of the parents and alumnis’ concerns had to do with taking away the tradition, Wheeler said. The students wanted to bring it back because they wanted it to be a part of the homecoming spirit week, said Wheeler.

“Last year, the students, parents, and alumni made it clear they wanted the homecoming court back,” said Wheeler.

Wheeler and Grems met with the SGA officers to discuss what they wanted homecoming to look like which is why the traditional court will return.

For this year, the plan is set because they will be going back to how it looked in the past. The court will resume and there will be less decisions needed to be made since it will stay as boy and girl elections, said Wheeler.

“I feel like there will be more of a student outcome this year than last year since the homecoming court is back,” said freshman Kamm Kojima.