MEET HIDOE’s Leadership TEAM
Strong leadership is key to a successful public school system. Our system is guided by dedicated and experienced leaders who are committed to student success.
The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education selects the superintendent, who serves as the chief executive officer of the public school system. The superintendent then appoints a team of deputy and assistant superintendents to oversee key statewide services, as well as 15 complex area superintendents, each responsible for supporting a regional group of schools. Learn more about our executive leadership team.
State Leadership
Bio
Keith T. Hayashi is superintendent of the Hawai‘i public school system, overseeing 150,000 students, 258 campuses, and more than 40,000 employees across the state. A veteran educator with over 30 years of service in the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, he brings experience at every level of the system — from classroom teacher to complex area superintendent to statewide leader.
Hayashi served as principal of Waipahu High School for 12 years, where he launched Hawai‘i’s first Early College program and helped establish the state’s first nationally recognized wall-to-wall academy model. His leadership earned him multiple honors, including Hawai‘i High School Principal of the Year and the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction.
As superintendent, he has been recognized for driving academic gains, rebuilding trust across the system, and expanding workforce development opportunities for students. He was honored with the state’s inaugural Workforce Development Hero Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, named a 2023 Legacy Honoree by the Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association, and selected as the 2024 Inspirational Leader of the Year by the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders. In 2025, he was named one of Hawai‘i’s Most Admired Leaders by Pacific Business News.
The Board of Education approved a new four-year contract for Hayashi in November 2025, extending his leadership through December 2029. He previously served under a three-year contract beginning in 2022, following his role as interim superintendent.
Hayashi began his career as a teacher at Lehua Elementary and later served as a district resource teacher, vice principal and principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels. He went on to serve as Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area Superintendent and held state-level roles including interim deputy superintendent and interim superintendent in 2017.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and two master’s degrees — in curriculum and instruction, and educational administration — from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Bio
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. 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 Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Bio
Tammi Oyadomari-Chun was named deputy superintendent on Aug. 18, 2022, and is responsible for leading and directing strategic initiatives for 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 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. In 2026 she was a Pacific Business News Women Who Mean Business honoree.
Bio
Jesse Souki was appointed deputy superintendent for operations, a senior leadership role that oversees major infrastructure, facilities, and support services on Aug. 5, 2025. Souki brings two decades of leadership experience from across Hawaiʻi’s public agencies and institutions.
Souki’s past roles include serving as executive director of the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority, first deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and director of the State Office of Planning. Most recently, he was associate general counsel for the University of Hawaiʻi system, where he provided counsel on land use, real property, governance, and legislative strategy. A graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Souki holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a Master of Arts in political science. He earned his law degree from Seattle University.
Bio
Sean Bacon was appointed assistant superintendent in 2022. Bacon brings over 10 years of experience within the Office of Talent Management (OTM) serving as the executive assistant for OTM and as a personnel specialist within the Department for six years. He has school-level experience having served as principal at Hōnaunau Elementary and vice principal at Kealakehe Intermediate. He has a master’s degree in school counseling from University of Southern Mississippi and a bachelor’s in elementary education from Aquinas College.
Bio
Richard Fajardo was appointed as assistant superintendent for the Office of Facilities and Operations in June 2026. He served as complex area superintendent for the Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area since Jan. 2023 and brings more than two decades of educational leadership experience to the role. In 2026 Fajardo received the inaugural Alakaʻina Award from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, for outstanding leadership and support of schools and students. He previously served as principal of Kapolei Middle and vice principal of Holomua Elementary.
Bio
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, Gardner served as vice principal at Ala Wai Elementary and Jefferson Elementary before taking on principal roles at Kāhala Elementary, the Hawaiʻi School for the Deaf and the Blind and Jarrett Middle. 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.
Bio
Brian Hallett was appointed assistant superintendent of the Office of Fiscal Services (OFS) and chief financial officer in June 2020 and was previously HIDOE’s budget director. Hallett’s experience spans the state government sector. He previously served as chief of staff to the speaker of the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives. 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.
Bio
Elizabeth Higashi was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Strategy, Innovation and Performance (OSIP) in Aug. 2024. She was previously the director of the Community Engagement Branch. Prior to that, she served as assistant principal at Waikele Elementary and Waipahu High. Higashi was recognized on the Pacific Business News 40 Under 40 list in 2025. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Gonzaga University, a master’s degree in exceptionalities from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Chaminade University.
Bio
Amy Peckinpaugh was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Information Technology Services (OITS) in Jan. 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 Hawaiʻi, reporting to the bank’s vice chair for IT and operations. She previously was a director for Gartner, a global technology advisory firm, and played an important role in HIDOE’s roll out of the Aukahi FMS financial management system. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in systems engineering and economics from the University of Virginia.
Bio
Sean Tajima was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Campus Operations and Support (OCOS) in Jan. 2026. Tajima began his career with HIDOE as a special education teacher at Nānākuli High & Intermediate and has held principalships at Niu Valley Middle, Pauoa Elementary, and Makakilo Elementary. He most recently served as complex area superintendent for Campbell-Kapolei. Tajima earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He also holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chaminade University and a master’s degree in educational administration from UH Mānoa.
Bio
Teri Ushijima was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design (OCID) in Dec. 2022. Prior to her appointment, she served as the director of the Assessment and Accountability Branch, executive director of OTM’s Leadership Institute, ʻAiea-Moanalua-Radford complex area superintendent and principal at Mokulele Elementary. Ushijima holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California and two master’s degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: one in library and information science and another in curriculum and instruction. She also has a bachelor’s degree in education from UH Mānoa. She is a National Milken Educator Award recipient.
Complex Area Superintendents
Honolulu District
Bio
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 Hawaiʻi National Distinguished Principal.
Bio
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, master’s in teaching, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Hawai‘i.
Central O‘ahu District
Bio
John Erickson was named complex area superintendent in September 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 ʻAiea 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.
Bio
Ernest Muh was named complex area superintendent in January 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 ʻIke, 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.
Leeward O‘ahu District
Bio
Joseph Halfmann was named temporary assignment complex area superintendent for the Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area in June 2026. A graduate of Campbell High School, Halfmann was principal of Pearl City High School for 11 years and has dedicated more than two decades to Hawaiʻi public schools as a teacher, vice principal and principal at five schools within the complex area.
Bio
Disa Hauge was named complex area superintendent in October 2023, after serving as interim complex area superintendent since November 2020. Hauge previously served as the principal of Waiʻanae High, vice principal and principal at Māʻili 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.
Bio
Jon Henry Lee was named complex area superintendent in Feb. 2026. His career in public education spans nearly three decades and includes roles as principal at James Campbell High School and ʻIlima Intermediate. Under his decade-long principalship at James Campbell High, the school achieved wall-to-wall model status as a career academy school. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Windward O‘ahu District
Bio
Samuel Izumi was named complex area superintendent in January 2025. 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, Hauʻula, Kahuku and Mauka Lani elementary schools, and also served as a complex academic officer for the Windward District. He received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Bio
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 Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Hawai‘i District
Bio
Stacey Bello was named complex area superintendent in January 2023. 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 Hawaiʻi at Hilo, teaching certifications in elementary and special education, and a Master of Arts from National University.
Bio
Kasie Kaleohano was named complex area superintendent in July 2025 after previously serving as deputy complex area superintendent. She held administrative positions as principal at Waiākeawaena Elementary and vice principal at Kalanianaʻole Elementary and Intermediate. Kaleohano has been with the Department for more than 20 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/Hawaiian language from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a masterʻs degree in secondary education from National University.
Bio
Janette Snelling was named complex area superintendent in November 2019, previously serving as deputy complex area superintendent. 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 Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, a bachelor’s degree in art education and a master’s degree in counseling from Purdue University.
Maui District
Bio
Rebecca Winkie was named complex area superintendent in March 2021. She began her career with the Department at Lānaʻi High and Elementary in 2003 as a middle school teacher and later served 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.
Bio
Lori Yatsushiro was named complex area superintendent in January 2025, after serving as the deputy complex area superintendent. Previously, 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 has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Master of Education in Educational Administration, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.
Kaua‘i District
Bio
Leila Maeda-Kobayashi was named complex area superintendent in July 2025, following her service as deputy complex area superintendent. Her experience within the Department spans more than 30 years, including administrative roles as principal at Koloa Elementary and vice principal at Wilcox Elementary and Kapaʻa High. Maeda-Kobayashi holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa as well as educational certificates in elementary and special education.