The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education announced today the reappointment of Keith Hayashi as Superintendent of Education of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education to a new four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and ending Dec. 31, 2029. This decision affirms the Board’s confidence in the continuity of leadership and its commitment to advancing student outcomes, supporting educators, and strengthening Hawai‘i’s communities. A four-year appointment is the maximum allowed under Hawaiʻi law.
Approved at the Board’s Special Meeting on Nov. 5, the reappointment underscores a commitment to shared vision and student-centered achievement. Superintendent Hayashi, as a local leader who has risen through the ranks, will continue to lead the statewide school system, providing the stability necessary to ensure the trust of teachers, staff, families, and community partners as they work together in service to the mission of Hawai‘i’s public schools.
Superintendent Hayashi leads the nation’s only statewide public school district, serving 164,000 students across 296 campuses on seven islands, with over 40,000 employees, and a budget of $2.8 billion. With more than three decades of service across schools, complex areas, and state leadership roles, the Board believes he is well-positioned to guide Hawai‘i’s public education system toward future success.
Board of Education Chairperson Roy Takumi said, “The Board of Education remains dedicated to transparency and has approved an increase in the superintendent’s salary to ensure continued strong leadership and to remain competitive in attracting and retaining top educational talent. The Board recognizes the importance of investing in the leadership that drives student success.”
Superintendent Hayashi’s new contract includes a results-based structure that ties future salary adjustments to measurable progress on student achievement and other Board-approved goals. The contract reflects a modernization of the compensation structure to ensure equity with similar state and national education systems and to maintain accountability through performance-linked evaluations. Under the new contract, Hayashi will receive a base annual salary of $294,674, aligning with market standards for superintendents of similarly sized districts across the country.
In its evaluation of Hayashi’s performance for the 2024–25 school year, the Board granted him a cumulative satisfactory rating for meeting the Board’s stated expectations and goals, with several areas rated as exceeding expectations.
“I appreciate the Board’s continued confidence and the opportunity to keep serving our students, families, and public school communities,” Hayashi said. “We’ve made important progress in recent years—academically, operationally, and in how we support schools—and I’m committed to building on that momentum. The goal remains clear: to ensure every student in Hawai‘i graduates ready to thrive, rooted in local values and prepared for a changing world.”
