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

Hayashi’s more than 30-year career with the Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi 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.

Ua koho ka Papa Hoʻonaʻauao ma Mei 19, 2022 e hoʻolimalima iā Hayashi ma ke ʻano he luna nui no kahi manawa i hoʻomaka i Iulai 1, 2022. ʻekolu mau hope (PDF) no ke kūlana paʻa.

Ua hoʻomaka ʻo Hayashi i kāna ʻoihana hoʻonaʻauao ma Lehua Elementary ma ke ʻano he kumu a lilo i kumu kumu kumu ʻāpana ma Leeward Oʻahu. Ua lawelawe ʻo ia ma ke ʻano he hope poʻo kumu a me ke poʻo ma ke kula haʻahaʻa, waena a me ke kula kiʻekiʻe ma mua o kona lilo ʻana i Luna Nui o Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area. Ma ka moku'āina, ua lawelawe 'o ia ma ke 'ano he hope superintendent a ma ke 'ano he superintendent no ka makahiki 2017. Ua loa'a 'o Hayashi i kona kēkelē laepua ma ke kula ha'aha'a mai ke Kulanui o Hawai'i ma Mānoa. Loaʻa iā ia ʻelua mau kēkelē Master of Education - ma ka papahana aʻo a me ka hoʻokele hoʻonaʻauao - mai UH Mānoa.

Ua koho ʻia ʻo Heidi Armstrong i hope superintendent ma Sepatemaba 2, 2022. Ua lawelawe ʻo ia ma ke ʻano he hope superintendent mai Iulai 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 Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Ua koho ʻia ʻo Tammi Oyadomari-Chun i hope superintendent ma ʻAukake 18, 2022, a ʻo ia ke kuleana no ke alakaʻi, alakaʻi a mālama i ka hoʻolālā hoʻolālā, hoʻololi a me ka hoʻoponopono hou ʻana, a me ka hoʻokō ʻana i nā hana hoʻolālā o ka 'Oihana.

Ua hui hou 'o ia i ka 'Oihana, ma hope o kona noho 'ana ma ke 'ano he luna nui kokua no ka Office of Strategy, Innovation and Performance mai ka makahiki 2015 a hiki i ka makahiki 2017. 'O Oyadomari-Chun ka mea i hala koke iho nei, he hope peresidena kuokoa no na hana kula no ke kula nui o ke Kulanui o Hawai'i.

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 Hawaiʻi P-20, and research analyst for the RAND Corporation and the University of Pennsylvania. She previously served as a parent representative on ʻĀina 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.

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.

Ua koho ʻia ʻo Sean Bacon i luna hoʻomalu kōkua ma ka lā 16 o Dekemaba, 2022, e nānā ana i nā pono hoʻokele talena - ka hoʻopaʻa ʻana, ka hoʻomohala ʻana, ka hoʻopaʻa ʻana, nā limahana a me nā pilina hana - o nā limahana limahana o ka 'Oihana he 22,000 mau limahana manawa piha a me 20,000 kumu pani a me nā limahana hana.

Lawe pū ʻo Bacon me ia ma mua o 10 mau makahiki o ka ʻike i loko o ka Office of Talent Management (OTM). Ma mua o kona koho ʻia, ua lawelawe ʻo ia ma ke ʻano he kōkua hoʻokō no OTM, kahi i hana pū ai ʻo ia me ke kōkua luna nui e hāʻawi i ke kākoʻo i ke alakaʻi, alakaʻi a me ka hoʻokele. Ma mua o kēlā, ua lawelawe ʻo ia ma ke ʻano he loea limahana i loko o ka Oihana no ʻeono makahiki. Loaʻa iā ia ka ʻike ma ke kula ma ke ʻano he poʻo ma Hōnaunau Elementary, hope poʻo ma Kealakehe Intermediate, a me ke kumu aʻoaʻo a me ke kumu papa ʻelima ma Kealakehe Elementary. Loaʻa iā ia ke kēkelē laepua ma ka ʻōlelo aʻo kula mai ke Kulanui o Southern Mississippi a me ke kēkelē laepua ma ke kula haʻahaʻa mai ke Kulanui ʻo Aquinas.

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 Hawaiʻi 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.

Ua koho ʻia ʻo Brian Hallett i luna nui o ke Office of Fiscal Services (OFS) a me ka luna kālā nui i ka lā 19 o Iune, 2020, no ka mālama ʻana i nā hana moʻohelu kālā, kālā a me ke kūʻai ʻana a HIDOE i nā pono o nā kula, nā wahi paʻakikī a me ke keʻena kikowaena mokuʻāina.

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 Hawaiʻi 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.

Ua koho ʻia ʻo Audrey Hidano i luna hoʻokele manawaleʻa no ka Office of Facilities and Operations (OFO) ma Dek. 22, 2023, e nānā i ke kūkulu ʻana a me ka mālama ʻana i nā hale kula.

Ua hana ʻo Hidano i nā papahana kūikawā ma OFO mai Iune 2023. Hāʻawi ʻo ia i ka ʻike nui i ka ʻoihana kūkulu hale kūʻokoʻa a me ke alakaʻi aupuni mokuʻāina, ua lawelawe ʻo ia ma ke ʻano he hope comptroller no ka mokuʻāina ʻo ke Keʻena ʻIke Helu a me nā lawelawe Nui, a me ka hope luna hoʻomalu o ke Keʻena ʻOihana a me ke Keʻena o ka Limahana a me nā Hana Hana. Ma ke ʻano he hope luna hoʻoponopono, ua kōkua ʻo ia i ka mālama ʻana i nā māhele ʻewalu ma lalo o DAGS i kuleana no ka hoʻolako ʻana i nā ʻōnaehana kino, kālā a me nā ʻenehana e kākoʻo i nā keʻena mokuʻāina a me nā keʻena i ka hoʻokō ʻana i kā lākou misionari. 

Ua hoʻokumu pū ʻo Hidano iā Hidano Construction, Inc., i kālele nui ʻia i ke kūkulu hale ma mua o ka hemo ʻana ma 2016. Ua lawelawe ʻo ia a hoʻomau i ka lawelawe ʻana i nā kuleana alakaʻi like ʻole ma nā papa kaiāulu a me ka hoʻonaʻauao, nā hui ʻoihana a me nā hui uniona.

Ua koho ʻia ʻo Elizabeth Higashi i luna nui no ke Office of Strategy, Innovation and Performance (OSIP) ma ʻAukake 15, 2024, e nānā i ka ʻōnaehana a me ke kākoʻo o nā hana hoʻomaikaʻi e pili ana i nā loiloi mokuʻāina, hoʻolālā hoʻolālā, loiloi papahana, hoʻokele ʻikepili a me ka nānā ʻana, a me ka hui pū ʻana me nā hoa aupuni a pilikino. 

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 Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Chaminade University. 

Ua koho ʻia ʻo Amy Peckinpaugh i luna hoʻokele kōkua no ke Keʻena ʻOihana ʻIke ʻIke (OITS) ma Ianuali 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 Hawaiʻi, 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.

Sean Tajima was named as the interim assistant superintendent for Office of Campus Operations and Support in August 2025, a new office created to focus on essential campus services and student-facing supports. Tajima oversees the Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness; School Food Services; and Student Transportation Services Branches. He began his career with HIDOE as a special education teacher at Nānākuli High & Intermediate in 1998 and has held principalships at Niu Valley Middle, Pauoa Elementary, and Makakilo Elementary. He most recently served as complex area superintendent for Campbell-Kapolei from 2018-2025.  Tajima earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He also holds a master’s degree of science in counseling psychology from Chaminade University and a master’s degree in educational administration from UH Mānoa.

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, ʻAiea-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 Hawaiʻi 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, master’s in teaching, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Hawai‘i.

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.

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.

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. 

Richard Fajardo was named complex area superintendent in January 2023 after serving as interim complex area superintendent since December 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.

Cindy Otsu was named interim complex area superintendent on Aug. 13, 2025. She previously served as principal of Kapolei Elementary for 14 years. Her career with the Department spans three decades, including roles as vice principal of Kapolei Elementary, vice principal ACE intern at Waipahu High, and curriculum coordinator and teacher at Waipahu Elementary. Otsu holds master’s degrees in education administration and elementary education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Samuel Izumi was named complex area superintendent in January 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, Hauʻula, 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 Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

​Stacey Bello was named complex area superintendent in January 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 Hawaiʻi at Hilo, teaching certifications in elementary and special education, and a Master of Arts from National University. 

Kasie Kaleohano was named complex area superintendent in July 2025 after previously serving as deputy complex area superintendent. She was the district educational specialist for the complex area and 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.

Janette Snelling was named complex area superintendent in November 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 Hawaiʻi 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 Lānaʻi 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 January 2025, after serving as the deputy complex area superintendent since September 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.

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.