Kaimukī Middle Vice Principal Jenna Valbuena recognized as Hawaiʻi’s 2026 National Outstanding Assistant Principal

Nānākuli High and Intermediate Principal Christine Udarbe has been named Hawaiʻi’s 2026 National Distinguished Principal by the Hawaiʻi Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association (HEMSAA), recognizing her strong instructional leadership and commitment to building a culture of excellence.

The award, presented annually by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), honors elementary and middle school principals nationwide who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and school climate. As Hawaiʻi’s honoree, Udarbe will represent the state in Washington, D.C., in October, where she will be recognized alongside other national awardees.

“Nānākuli High and Intermediate serves a community challenged by a high rate of poverty, predominantly Native Hawaiian, with significant levels of historical and familial trauma,” Nānākuli-Wai‘anae Complex Area Superintendent Disa Hauge wrote in support of Udarbeʻs nomination. “Christine advocates for all students and strives to provide high-quality educational opportunities. … She sees challenges as opportunities and has a laser-like focus on developing programs that eliminate disparities in educational outcomes.”

Udarbe joined Nānākuli High and Intermediate in 2024 after previously serving as principal of Nānāikapono Elementary, Maunawili Elementary and Ka‘elepulu Elementary. She holds a Ph.D. in education and two master’s degrees in education administration and secondary science from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

“Christine has fostered a positive school culture where all students receive the support needed to meet academic standards and develop social and emotional well-being,” Hauge said. “School turnaround is incredibly difficult. Christine has stayed the course, handled challenging circumstances, and set high expectations, creating a culture of consistency that has transformed Nānākuli High and Intermediate into a place where students, families and staff truly thrive.”

Under Udarbe’s leadership, the school transitioned from a one-year probationary term to a six-year accreditation term from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges — its first six-year term since 1998. Hauge also credited Udarbe with reducing student behavioral incidents through targeted interventions and restorative practices; establishing the Hawks ‘Ohana Resource Center as a community hub offering daily necessities, fresh produce distributions, a food and hygiene pantry, grief therapy and parent workshops; and building a team of instructional leaders who use data to identify professional learning needs and ensure professional development is purposeful and aligned to school priorities.

Udarbe, representing the Leeward District, was one of seven district-level finalists for this year’s award. Other finalists were:

• Kendrick Kakazu, principal of Maj. Sheldon Wheeler Elementary (Central District)
• Hannah Loyola, principal of Kohala Elementary (Hawai‘i District)
• Kelly Bart, principal of Princess Miriam K. Likelike Elementary (Honolulu District)
• Ray Carvalho, principal of Waimea Canyon Middle (Kaua‘i District)
• Shona Pineda, principal of Kilohana Elementary (Maui District)
• Derek Minakami, principal of Kāne‘ohe Elementary (Windward District)

Sunday’s event also recognized Jenna Valbuena, vice principal at Kaimukī Middle School, as Hawaiʻi’s 2026 National Outstanding Assistant Principal. (Valbuena is currently serving as the temporary assigned principal of Linapuni Elementary.)

Valbuena will be recognized alongside other national awardees at NAESP’s National School Leaders Conference in Orlando.

Kaimukī Middle Principal Kevin Dias said he’s had the privilege of seeing Jenna grow from a vice principal intern to “an incredibly effective, transformative school leader,” and credits her for helping sharpen his leadership skills.

Valbuena was praised for strengthening academic supports for students. Although Kaimukī Middle is a high-performing school, as vice principal she recognized that overall positive outcomes can mask students in need of additional support. She helped design and refine the school’s Response to Intervention system to ensure timely, data-informed support for students.

She also helped lead the school’s efforts to earn national recognition as an Association for Middle Level Education School of Distinction, a designation that reflects leadership grounded in the academic, social-emotional and developmental needs of middle school learners.

“You help keep Kaimukī Middle School a place with heart, and you represent the very best of school leadership in the Hawai‘i Department of Education,” Dias said.

Valbuena, representing the Honolulu District, was one of three finalists for this year’s award. The other finalists were:

• Tyson Tomono, vice principal at Hilo Union Elementary (Hawai‘i District)
• James Muraoka, vice principal at Kapa‘a Middle (Kaua‘i District)

“Our principals and vice principals set the tone for their schools. They build trust with their communities. And they create the kind of environments where students feel supported and are able to learn and grow,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “That work is not easy, especially in a time when schools are being asked to do more than ever. But our leaders continue to meet that challenge with commitment and care, always focused on what’s best for their students. To all of our nominees, thank you for the work you do every day — for your schools, your communities, and most importantly, for your students.”

Event sponsor HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union awarded each principal nominee with $1,000, and another $1,000 for the top principal. Assistant principal nominees received $500 each, with $1,000 awarded to the top honoree.