HONOLULU –  Palisades Elementary Principal Gavin Tsue has been named Hawai‘i’s 2025 National Distinguished Principal by the Hawai‘i Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association (HEMSAA), recognizing his steadfast leadership and advocacy for public education.

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) award annually recognizes elementary and middle school principals from across the country who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for their students, families and school staff. As Hawai‘i’s honoree, Tsue will represent the state in Washington, D.C., this October, where he’ll be recognized alongside other national awardees.

“When you look at Palisades Elementary and their motto – We are all in this together, one ‘ohana – you definitely see it in Principal Tsue’s leadership,” said Richard Fajardo, complex area superintendent for schools in the Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area, which includes Palisades Elementary.

Fajardo said Tsue leads with humility and purpose, and credits his vision for creating meaningful project-based learning experiences for students in emerging fields like renewable energy and artificial intelligence. Under Tsue’s leadership, Palisades students became the only elementary school to win a $5,000 top prize in this year’s Design Intelligence Lab contest, competing among high school and middle school students. The annual design thinking challenge, hosted by HIDOE in partnership with the Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation and Design Thinking Hawai‘i, empowers students to create real-world solutions to complex challenges.

“Iʻm stunned right now,” Tsue said at the ceremony. “The principalship [can sometimes feel like] a lonely job but I have a great vice principal that stands with me, I have a great teaching staff, leadership team, my CAS. We’re really pushing career-connected education and project-based learning at the school for our students.”

Tsue, representing the Leeward District, was one of seven district-level finalists (pictured below) for this year’s award. Other finalists were:

• Brian Godsill, principal of Kalāheo Elementary (Kaua‘i District)
• Tracy Lui, principal of Kīhei Elementary (Maui District)
• Noel Richardson, principal of Enchanted Lake Elementary (Windward District)
• Troy Tamura, principal of Mililani Waena Elementary (Central District)
• Mavis Tasaka, principal of Governor Sanford B. Dole Middle (Honolulu District)
• Kim Williamson, principal of Pāhoa High & Intermediate (Hawai‘i District)

The event also recognized Hidi Boteilho, vice principal at Keonepoko Elementary, as Hawai‘i’s 2025 National Outstanding Assistant Principal. She was praised for her focus on culture-building, student-centered programming, and strong family engagement.

“Ms. Boteilho excels in community engagement, strengthening connections with families, organizations and businesses,” said Stacey Bello, complex area superintendent for schools in the Ka‘ū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa Complex Area, which includes Keonepoko Elementary. “Her strategic vision, dedication to a positive culture, commitment to professional growth, data-driven proficiency, and community engagement distinguish her as an extraordinary leader.”

She will be invited to the NAESP Pre-K-8 Principals Conference in Seattle in July to receive her award with other national winners.

Boteilho, representing Hawai‘i District, was one of seven finalists (pictured below) for this year’s top vice principal award. Other finalists were:

• Elson Barba, vice principal at ‘Ilima Intermediate (Leeward District)
• Jennifer Everett, vice principal at Hāna High & Elementary (Maui District)
• Patricia Macadangdang, vice principal at Kahuku High & Intermediate (Windward District)
• Theresa Malone, vice principal at Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary (Kaua‘i District)
• Kyle Morikone, vice principal at Royal Elementary (Honolulu District)
• Je Ann Williams, vice principal at Āliamanu Middle (Central District)

Honorees for both awards were recognized at an event at the Honolulu Country Club by Superintendent Keith Hayashi, Deputy Superintendent for Academics Heidi Armstrong, Deputy Superintendent for Operations Dean Uchida, HEMSAA officers and board members, Bryan Yucoco, financial wellness manager for HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union, and school and complex area administrators, colleagues and supporters.

“Whether it’s our assistant principal or principal nominees, they’ll be the first to say that they don’t do it by themselves, it takes everyone coming together in the true spirit of ne‘epapa – coming together with a common vision, working toward a common goal,” Superintendent Hayashi said.

“Each of these nominees builds out a leader-full organization, where leadership not only comes from the principalship, but it comes from everyone. It’s a shared leadership, whether it’s with counselors, vice principals or teachers, community members, parents, students. That’s what truly makes an exceptional school principal,” Hayashi said.

Event sponsor HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union awarded each principal nominee with $750, and $2,000 for the top principal. Assistant principal nominees received $500 each, with $1,500 awarded to the top honoree. Elementary school nominees were also awarded a full school year license for Super Teacher, an AI-based tutorial and instructional program.