Six Local Schools Get New Principals
Spring semester is bringing several shifts in leadership for Windward public schools at both ends of the Castle/Kahuku complex – one permanent, most temporary.
Pay attention now, and be ready for a pop quiz.
* Longtime Laie resident Pauline Masaniai is the new permanent principal of Kahuku High & Intermediate School (KHIS). An alumna of Laie Elementary, KHIS and BYU-Hawaii – as are many members of her extended family – Masaniai has led Kahuku Elementary School for 10 years, with prior service as vice principal at KHIS and Kailua High. She once taught English and history at KHIS and was the 2011 Windward District Elementary Principal of the Year. She began her new job Dec. 23 already knowing about 500 of the school’s students, since they came up through Kahuku Elementary.
“I feel I have insight to the different groups at our school,” Masaniai said, “and my experience will be an asset as I bring ideas to the table.” Those ideas will be driven by emphasis on Common Core standards, supporting the senior class graduation goals, and addressing student IDs, lockout and the dress code. She replaces interim principal Annette Ostrem, who returns to her vice principal post at the school.
* With the retirement of acting principal Darrel Galera (who replaced retired principal Meredith Maeda in the fall), Castle High School now has a temporary principal well-known to Kaneohe students and families: 2014 National Middle School Principal of the Year Sheena Alaiasa of King Intermediate School. Alaiasa will continue to “keep a keen eye on King,” according to Lea Albert, complex area superintendent. Galera, she said, is returning to Castle as a volunteer and will work with Alaiasa to keep the high school on track.
* Last week Albert also assigned Wendy Matsuzaki to temporary principal of King. Matsuzaki is currently principal at Waiahole Elementary, and will be replaced there by Kimi Kamiyama, who moves over from vice principal at Kailua High.
* Winona Enesa is now temporary principal of Hauula Elementary, moving from her 12-year-long vice principal job at KHIS, with previous VP jobs at Castle and Hauula. Her goals include effective school-family partnerships and academic excellence for Hauula, where she once taught. “I’m very excited to serve my own community as a member of the Kahuku complex,” said Enesa, who earned her professional diploma from BYU-Hawaii and once managed the food and beverage division at Polynesian Cultural Center.
* Sam Izumi is the new temporary principal for Kahuku Elementary, where he either taught or has been vice principal for 11 years. In 2009, however, he became Hauula’s principal, moving the school out of restructuring and into good standing. “I consider the Kahuku faculty and staff as family,” Izumi said. “It’s an honor to assist the school, and I’ll work collaboratively with the school ohana.”
