As fans filled the stands Friday at Waipahu High to watch the homecoming football game against Kalaheo, hundreds more were watching online, thanks to a student-operated live video stream.

In all, some 800 people tuned in to the live stream, including alumni all over the world.

Another 2,000 people have since watched the recorded game online.

Waipahu High Principal Keith Hayashi said the production, which was done by students interested in media and communications, is part of an effort to beef up the school’s media arts program.

The school envisions live streaming all sorts of school and community events, and getting advertisements to make the program self-sufficient.

"It’s student-driven," Hayashi said. "This is one way we can get the good things going on at Waipahu (online) and sharing them with the community."

Waipahu’s efforts come as schools across the state are bolstering broadcast, communications and media arts programs as part of an effort to engage modern students and encourage project-based learning.

Waipahu High isn’t the first public school in the islands to present its games on the Internet. That honor goes to Kauai schools, where students across the complex started live streaming games last year.

Kevin Matsunaga, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School media production coordinator, said the work was possible thanks to about $50,000 in grants and state funding, and support from media teachers at several schools.

He said crews of five to 10 students are charged with the work of streaming games, which involves operating three video cameras, monitoring their feeds, adding graphics and troubleshooting.

"It’s a lot of work," Matsu­naga said. "We try to make it as realistic as possible."

Alvan Fukuhara, Waipahu High assistant principal for the arts and communications programs, said the school’s live-streaming project is part of a larger plan to create a media center that would foster communications education for Waipahu High students and surrounding feeder schools.

That project is years off and will need more funding.

Waipahu’s media arts teachers presented Hayashi with the idea of live streaming a game earlier this year. The school spent about $15,000 for live streaming equipment, and also ran the plan past the Oahu Interscholastic Association to make sure they weren’t violating any rules.

Waipahu media arts teacher Johann Montero said about 15 high school and middle school students took turns during the game at manning cameras and a "directing booth." The group plans to live stream upcoming volleyball and basketball games and other school events.

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On the Net:

School live-streaming video sites:

» Waipahu High: maraudermedia.net/live

» Kauai schools: hawaiistream.com