Keith T. Hayashi is superintendent of the Hawai‘i public schools system, overseeing 160,000 students, 258 campuses and more than 40,000 employees.

Hayashi’s more than 30-year career with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education spans the school, complex area and state level. He led Waipahu High School as principal for 12 years, a position for which he received numerous accolades, including Hawai‘i High School Principal of the Year and the collegiate Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. He is credited with pioneering the Early College program in Hawai‘i public schools and earned the distinction for Waipahu High as the state’s first nationally recognized wall-to-wall academy model school. 

As superintendent, he was honored in 2023 with the state’s inaugural “Workforce Development Hero” Lifetime Achievement Award for his support and advocacy around strengthening the state’s education pipeline to support workforce needs. He was also recognized as the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association 2023 Legacy Honoree for his innovative approaches and commitment to student success. And he was named Inspirational Leader of the Year in 2024 by the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders for his vision and integrity as a leader and strong supporter of CTL’s commitment to equip and empower young leaders to solve Hawai‘i’s most entrenched problems.

The Board of Education on May 19, 2022, voted to hire Hayashi as superintendent for a term that began July 1, 2022. He served as interim superintendent before that, and was one of three finalists (PDF) for the permanent position.

Hayashi began his education career at Lehua Elementary as a teacher and went on to serve as a district resource teacher in Leeward O‘ahu. He also served as a vice principal and principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels before becoming Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area Superintendent. At the state level, he served as interim deputy superintendent and as interim superintendent in 2017. Hayashi earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He also holds two Master of Education degrees — in curriculum and instruction, and educational administration — from UH Mānoa.

Heidi Armstrong was named deputy superintendent on Sept. 2, 2022. She had served as interim deputy superintendent since July 1, 2022.

Armstrong brings over 30 years of experience spanning school, district and state leadership positions. She previously served as assistant superintendent for the Office of Student Support Services (OSSS) and as complex area superintendent for the Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area. Prior to becoming CAS in 2012, she was the principal of Iroquois Point Elementary, where she made continuous improvements in school performance and quality. She began her career with the Department as a math teacher at Pōhākea Elementary, where she later became vice principal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Tammi Oyadomari-Chun was named deputy superintendent on Aug. 18, 2022, and is responsible for leading, directing and supervising the strategic planning, transformation and modernization, and implementation of the strategic initiatives of the Department.

She rejoined the Department, having previously served as assistant superintendent of the Office of Strategy, Innovation and Performance from 2015 to 2017. Oyadomari-Chun most recently was interim associate vice president for academic affairs for the University of Hawai‘i community college system.

Oyadomari-Chun’s past work also includes serving as vice president at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, policy analyst for former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, executive director of Hawai‘i P-20, and research analyst for the RAND Corporation and the University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a parent representative on ‘Āina Haina Elementary’s School Community Council. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree from Harvard University in public policy, and a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College in government and public policy analysis.

Sean Bacon was appointed assistant superintendent on Dec. 16, 2022, overseeing the talent management needs — recruiting, development, retention, employee and labor relations — of the Department’s workforce of 22,000 full-time employees and 20,000 substitute teachers and casual employees.

Bacon brings with him over 10 years of experience within the Office of Talent Management (OTM). Prior to his appointment, he served as the executive assistant for OTM, where he worked closely with the assistant superintendent to provide support in direction, leadership and management. Before that he served as a personnel specialist within the Department for six years. He also has school-level experience having served as principal at Hōnaunau Elementary, vice principal at Kealakehe Intermediate, and counselor and fifth grade teacher at Kealakehe Elementary. He has a master’s degree in school counseling from University of Southern Mississippi and a bachelor’s in elementary education from Aquinas College.

Kinau Gardner was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Student Support Services (OSSS) on Jan. 18, 2025. With over 30 years of experience in education, she began her career as an eighth grade English teacher and curriculum coordinator at Jarrett Middle School. Gardner transitioned into administration, serving as vice principal at Ala Wai Elementary and Jefferson Elementary before taking on the principal role at Kāhala Elementary. Her leadership journey continued as principal of the Hawai‘i School for the Deaf and the Blind and later at Jarrett Middle School. Most recently, Gardner has contributed her expertise as an educational specialist for alternative learning programs in the Honolulu District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Brian Hallett was appointed assistant superintendent of the Office of Fiscal Services (OFS) and chief financial officer on June 19, 2020, to oversee HIDOE’s accounting, budget and procurement activities and systems serving the needs of the schools, complex areas and the state central office.

Hallett’s experience spans the state government sector and he previously served as HIDOE’s budget director and as chief of staff to the speaker of the Hawai‘i House of Representatives. Earlier in his career, he served in budget administrator and specialist roles for HIDOE’s Budget Execution Section, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, the House Committee on Finance and the Department of Public Safety. Hallett holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington with a dual major in political science and environmental studies, and studied Urban and Regional Planning and Natural Resource Management at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Audrey Hidano was named interim assistant superintendent for the Office of Facilities and Operations (OFO) on Dec. 22, 2023, to oversee the construction and maintenance of school facilities.

Hidano had been working on special projects in OFO since June 2023. She brings extensive experience in the private sector construction industry as well as state government leadership, having served as deputy comptroller for the state Department of Accounting and General Services, and deputy director of the Department of Transportation and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. As deputy comptroller she assisted in overseeing the eight divisions under DAGS responsible for providing the physical, financial and technical infrastructure to support state departments and agencies in accomplishing their missions. 

Hidano also co-founded Hidano Construction, Inc., which focused primarily on residential construction before dissolving in 2016. She has served and continues to serve in various leadership roles on community and education-related boards, industry associations and union organizations.

Elizabeth Higashi was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Strategy, Innovation and Performance (OSIP) on Aug. 15, 2024, to oversee the systemization and support of improvement efforts related to statewide assessments, strategic planning, program evaluation, data governance and analysis, and collaboration with public and private partners. 

Higashi had served in an interim capacity since Jan. 1, 2024, and was previously the director of the Community Engagement Branch, where she strengthened public and private partnerships to expand learning opportunities and secure resources to ensure that students, educators, schools, families and communities are supported. Prior to that, she was a special education teacher at Waipahu High School and served as assistant principal at Waikele Elementary and Waipahu High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Gonzaga University, a master’s degree in exceptionalities from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Chaminade University. 

Amy Peckinpaugh was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS) on Jan. 16, 2025.

Peckinpaugh’s track record includes senior leadership roles in the banking and IT consulting industries. She most recently served as a senior vice president at Bank of Hawai‘i, reporting to the bank’s vice chair for IT and operations. She previously was a director for Gartner, a global technological research and advisory firm, and played an important role in HIDOE’s roll out of the Aukahi FMS financial management system.

Teri Ushijima was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design (OCID) on Dec. 16, 2022, after serving in an interim capacity since Nov. 2020. Prior to her appointment, Ushijima served as the director of the Assessment and Accountability Branch, executive director of OTM’s Leadership Institute, ‘Aiea-Moanalua-Radford complex area superintendent as well as a principal at Mokulele Elementary and vice principal at Moanalua High. She is a National Milken Educator Award recipient and also taught at Mililani Mauka, Mokulele, Leihōkū and Honowai Elementary schools.

Linell Dilwith was named complex area superintendent in July 2018. She previously served as a principal for 10 years, including six years at Stevenson Middle. She also served as principal at Lanakila Elementary, a member of the Leadership Institute Design and Advisory committee, and school turnaround specialist. She was honored as the 2018 Hawai‘i National Distinguished Principal.

Rochelle Mahoe was named complex area superintendent in July 2018. She previously served as principal of Noelani Elementary, vice principal at Pearl City High and Likelike Elementary, and taught mathematics. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon, masterʻs in teaching, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Hawai‘i.

John Erickson was named complex area superintendent in Sept. 2015. Erickson joined HIDOE in 1994 as a counselor at Moanalua Elementary after working for two years in New York City Public Schools. He previously served as vice principal at Pearl Harbor Elementary and principal at ‘Aiea Elementary and Hickam Elementary. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from State University of New York, Albany and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from City University of New York.

Ernest Muh was named complex area superintendent in Jan. 2025. Muh previously led Helemano Elementary as principal and helped earn the school’s National Blue Ribbon School Award in 2016. He previously served as vice principal for Waimalu Elementary and taught at Mililani ‘Ike, Mililani Mauka and Kahuku elementary schools. He is a past finalist for the National Distinguished Principal Award and the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award.

Disa Hauge was named complex area superintendent in Oct. 2023, after serving as interim complex area superintendent since Nov. 2020. Hauge previously served as the principal of Wai‘anae High, vice principal and principal at Mā‘ili Elementary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a professional diploma in science education, and a master’s in educational administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. 

Richard Fajardo was named complex area superintendent in Jan. 2023 after serving  as interim complex area superintendent since Dec. 2022. Fajardo previously served as principal of Kapolei Middle, vice principal of Holomua Elementary and as a school renewal specialist for the Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area. Fajardo began his educational career as a school counselor at Pearl City High, and was also a school counselor at Waipahu Intermediate. He earned his bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Wayland Baptist University as well as his master’s degree in counseling psychology and his education administrator certification from Chaminade University.

Sean Tajima was named complex area superintendent in July 2018. Previously, Tajima was principal of Niu Valley Middle, Pauoa Elementary and Makakilo Elementary, and served as vice principal at Kapolei Middle. He began his career with the Department as a special education teacher at Nānākuli High and Intermediate.

Samuel Izumi was named complex area superintendent in Jan. 2025, after serving in an interim capacity since July 2024. Izumi started his education career with the Department in 2018 as a teacher at Kahuku Elementary. He went on to serve as principal at Kapunahala, Hau‘ula, Kahuku and Mauka Lani elementary schools, and also served as a school renewal specialist and complex academic officer for the Windward District. He received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. 

Lanelle Hibbs was named complex area superintendent in 2015. She was previously principal at Kailua Elementary and taught at Kahuku and He‘eia Elementary schools. Hibbs was named 2012 Windward District Principal of the Year and has been a Masayuki Tokioka Award nominee twice. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

​Stacey Bello was named complex area superintendent in Jan. 2023 after serving in an interim capacity since May 2022. Bello began her educational career in the Kea‘au Complex as a student teacher. Over the years, she has served the broader Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area and East Hawaiʻi schools as a substitute teacher, special education teacher, district special education resource teacher, vice principal and principal of Keaukaha and Keaʻau Elementary schools. Bello earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, teaching certifications in elementary and special education, and a Master of Arts from National University. 

Esther Kanehailua was named complex area superintendent in July 2019 and previously served as deputy complex area superintendent since October 2018. Kanehailua began her education career with the Department teaching at Hilo High before going on to serve as vice principal and principal at various Hawai‘i island schools including Hilo High, Hilo Intermediate, Ha‘aheo Elementary and Waiākea High.

Janette Snelling was named complex area superintendent in Nov. 2019. She previously served as deputy complex area superintendent and assisted in the development of comprehensive school design models that reflected unique priorities of students, school and community. Snelling began her career as a guidance counselor at Waimea Elementary and Intermediate and Kohala High, and later became vice principal at Kohala High and principal at Kohala Middle and Kohala High. She has an administrator certification from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, a bachelor’s degree in art education and a master’s degree in counseling from Purdue University.

Rebecca Winkie was named complex area superintendent in March 2021. She began her career with the Department in 2003 at Lāna‘i High and Elementary as a middle school teacher and later as registrar before joining Kalama Intermediate in 2014. She went on to serve as vice principal of King Kamehameha III Elementary and as principal at Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary. Winkie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in middle childhood education and her doctoral degree in educational administration and supervision from Georgia State University.

Lori Yatsushiro was named complex area superintendent in Jan. 2025, after serving as the deputy complex area superintendent since Sept. 2023. Previous to serving as deputy CAS, she was a school renewal specialist for the BKKM Complex Area, principal at Waiheʻe School, and vice principal at Maui Waena Intermediate, Kīhei Elementary and Waiheʻe School. She was a teacher and curriculum coordinator prior to going into administration. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Master of Education in Educational Administration, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.

Daniel Hamada was named interim complex area superintendent in July 2022. Hamada retired in December 2018 as principal of Kapa‘a High after more than 40 years as an educator and leader in the Department. He previously served as Kaua‘i complex area superintendent and as assistant superintendent for the former Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support. Since retiring, Hamada had been working with OTM’s Leadership Institute to mentor new principals in their first and second years, mostly on Kaua‘i.