It didn’t take Waialua High School’s Robotics Team long to distinguish itself among the 352 international high school teams competing in this weekend’s FIRST Robotics World Championships in St. Louis.

On the first of two days of divisional competition, the so-called "Hawaiian Kids" were named the winner of the Chairman’s Award, which recognizes individual programs’ contribution to robotics through community involvement, service to other robotics programs and overall excellence. Waialua was one of 48 regional chairman’s award winners competing for the prize.

"The award recognized Waialua for being an outstanding model and exemplar for other teams to emulate," said Corrie Heck, chief coordinator of the Robotics Organizing Committee-Hawaii. "They are what other robotics programs hope to be like."

The award was announced during a private concert by the Black Eyed Peas.

Waialua is one of six high school teams — along with McKinley, Waiakea, Waianae, Sacred Hearts Academy and Keala­kehe — representing Hawaii at the championships. The overall field totals more than 11,000 students on 352 teams representing 29 countries.