The role of a school principal is constantly evolving. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the school, principals are responsible for managing faculty and staff, creating and maintaining budgets, setting a clear vision for the school’s future and fostering a positive and inclusive school culture. Today’s principals must also navigate evolving priorities, implement new technologies, engage with families and the wider community, and ensure student well-being and academic success in an increasingly complex environment.
In celebration of National Principals Month this October, we’re proud to highlight the 19 principals within the Hawai‘i State Department of Education who now lead the very schools they once attended as students.
Mahina Anguay
School: Aoga Maualuga a Waimea
Years in the HIDOE: 24
Years serving as principal: 13
Year graduated: 1978
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in?
I was a golfer in high school, the only female for a few years… but it helped to get me into UH Mānoa on a golf scholarship!
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Shoyu chicken or sloppy joes were my faves!
What was your favorite part about attending Waimea High?
Hanging out with my friends, definitely!
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
Being principal at Waimea High School is both a blessing and a great responsibility. I’m proud to serve the same community that raised me, and I feel called to ensure our school stays strong for generations to come. Our “100% Vision and Mission” drives that work—every student graduating on grade level and leaving Waimea High enrolled, employed, or enlisted. It’s about honoring our past, serving our kids today, and building a future we can all be proud of.
Fun fact?
My great grandmother, Nora Chang, was a vice principal at Waimea High and my grandmother, Juanita Mundon, was the only senior English teacher at Waimea High for years. My brothers and I all graduated from Waimea and we all went to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa where I played golf and they played volleyball.
Eliza Loha Kaka
School: Lāʻie Elementary
Years in the HIDOE: 19
Years serving as principal: 12
Years attended: 1974-78
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in?
None. I played in the community everyday with friends riding bikes and exploring the back of Lāʻie until dark.
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
I can’t remember any meals but I do remember that I used a token to get free breakfast and lunch. When I didn’t have tokens (they were plastic silver tokens) my mom would have a dime for breakfast and a quarter for lunch ready for me.
What was your favorite part about attending Lā‘ie Elementary?
I loved walking to school with all my neighborhood friends and hearing the bugle play at the start and end of the day, reciting the pledge of allegiance and standing with hand over heart (which we still do today).
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
Serving as principal here at Lāʻie Elementary is more than just a job; it is a privilege and honor to be able to serve and give back to my community that I love. Serving as principal here at Lāʻie is also a legacy. My grandfather Clinton J. Kanahele retired as principal here at Lāʻie Elementary the year before I started kindergarten. It’s been an awesome experience and I absolutely love being the principal here.
Jill LaBoy
School: Aoga Maualuga a Kailua
Years in the HIDOE: 28
Years serving as principal: First year, but taught here for 18 years
Year graduated: 1983
What was your favorite part about attending Kailua High?
Homecoming week and all of the festivities, like making floats for the parade, the homecoming assembly and dress up days.
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in?
Fa'afiafia
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Lasagna
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
I am extremely honored and proud to serve here. I had so many wonderful memories here as a student—I felt loved, formed some forever friendships, and got a solid foundation to be set up for success in life. I want to create those same opportunities for our Surfriders now. It is a privilege to serve in the community that raised me.
It is a privilege to serve at any school, but when you have walked the halls, and felt the love and spirit of the school, which shaped you, you feel deeply rooted and connected to the place and the people. Coming back to Kailua High after being away for the past 10 years, has felt like coming home.
Marlene Leary
School: Kaua‘i High School
Years in the HIDOE: 22.5
Years serving as principal: 6.5
Year graduated: 1986
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student at your school?
Student Government
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Baked spaghetti
What was your favorite part about attending Kaua‘i High?
My math classes
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
Serving as principal at my alma mater is more than a job; it’s a deep honor and a full-circle journey. I feel a unique responsibility to our community, shaped by my own experience as a student here. My role is to be a mentor and a steward of our future, blending our school’s cherished traditions with the innovation students need to succeed in a changing world.
Adria Medeiros
School: A'oga Elementary View Mountain
Years in the HIDOE: 19
Years serving as principal: 4
Years attended: 1986-93
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student at Mountain View Elementary?
I was a junior police officer at Mountain View Elementary School, a conflict mediator, in the Girl Scouts, and played club volleyball.
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
I have always loved school beef stew!
What was your favorite part about attending Mountain View Elementary?
My favorite part about attending Mountain View Elementary School was the friendships I formed, which I still hold strong to this day. We are a close knit community here, and friends take care of one another, creating lifelong bonds.
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
I am honored to be able to serve both the school and community I came from, and to give back to the place that helped me grow into the person I am today. I am proud to be from Mountain View Elementary School, and blessed to give back to our community in all ways that I can. I am one of MANY alumni who work at Mountain View Elementary School: we have teachers, support staff, and casual workers, in addition to myself. We are so proud to have our alumni return to our school…globally competitive, locally committed!
Fig Mitchell
School: A'oga Tulagalua a Kīlauea
Years in the HIDOE: 33
Years serving as principal: 4
Years attended: 5th and 6th grade from 1981-1982
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in?
Working in the garden
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Beef stew
What was your favorite part about attending Kīlauea Elementary?
My teachers showed how much they cared about me.
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
I get to give back to the school and community they gave so much to me. It’s great to be back at the “home of my childhood days.”
Kristin Muramoto
School: Aoga Tulaga Lua a Hōlualoa
Years in the HIDOE: 17
Years serving as principal: 3
Years attended: 1990-92
What was your favorite part about attending Hōlualoa Elementary?
I’ll never forget racing my friends onto the field at recess. It’s one of my favorite memories from my time at Hōlualoa.
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
I didn’t often eat school lunch so a favorite lunch doesn’t stand out. I do remember getting milk from the line every once in a while.
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
Returning to Hōlualoa, the place where my K-12 education began, feels like a full-circle moment. It’s special to be back where it all started.
Fred Murphy
School: Aoga Maualuga a Mililani
Years in the HIDOE: 33
Years serving as principal: 14
Year graduated: 1988
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved?
Band, Student Government
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Baked spaghetti with the cafeteria-made rolls
What was your favorite part about attending Mililani High?
Trojan Pride, and all the opportunities that came with it! There were always so many activities and ways to get involved, which meant I was constantly busy and spent a lot of time with my friends. It made for a really energetic and engaging experience.
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to lead Mililani High School. It has been fun to capitalize on an incredible multi-generational network—connecting with parents of friends, former students, and classmates for the school’s benefit. My mission is to build upon our strengths and continue to grow programs and infrastructure that will maintain a thriving, comprehensive, high-performing high school with strong offerings in academics, the arts, and athletics. Let’s go Trojans!
Corey Nakamura
School: Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School
Years in the HIDOE: 32
Years serving as principal: 12
Years attended: 1976-81
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student?
Junior police officer, intramural sports
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Oriental chicken
What was your favorite part about attending your school?
My teachers
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
It gives me pride to serve at a school I once attended and also being a part of a school community that serves its students with care and kindness. The success of Wilcox Elementary School is a result of our devoted teachers and staff. They are committed and dedicated to building a strong foundation for our children’s future. They are great role models for our students and understand the essence of effective teaching and learning for all students and their families.
Mitchell Otani
School: Aoga Maualuga a Kalani
Years in the HIDOE: 43
Years serving as principal: 16
Years attended/graduated: 1972
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student?
Track
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Beef Stew (or go to Jolly Roger Drive-Inn)
What was your favorite part about attending your school?
Many classmates are lifelong friends! (25+)
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
We are held to a higher standard – accountable to my classmates and all other graduates.
As I meet with the many different classes as they celebrate their reunions, many have shared that we are who we are because of the friendships made and the education we received when we attended Kalani. They have many happy memories of the time spent at Kalani and feel that Kalani was, is and will continue to be a good school. Falcons Forever!
Tara Punzal
School: Kapa‘a Middle School
Years in the HIDOE: 17
Years serving as principal: First year
Years attended: 1997-2000
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student?
Spelling Bee, Future Farmers of America
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
The salad bar
What was your favorite part about attending Kapa‘a Middle?
Having many new friends
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
As the principal of my former school I get to play a key role in shaping positive memories and instilling values through the work I do with our teams and stakeholders. Middle school can be uncomfortable. I want all students to know that challenges are a part of life, and how we work through the challenges is the most important lesson.
Trisha Sanborn
School: Kohala Middle School
Years in the HIDOE: 27
Years serving as principal: 5. Prior to this I was the vice principal at Kohala High School and a teacher at the elementary for almost 13 years
Years attended: When I attended Kohala schools, it was one – Kohala High and Elementary. The middle school is new to me, although I attended my middle school years in Kohala. Sixth grade was with the elementary and 7th/8th graders were on the high school campus at that time. It’s so wonderful that we have a middle school now! I went to Kohala High and Elementary from 1980 to 1992.
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student?
Just about everything. I joined all the clubs, even the ones I was not eligible to join (e.g., Spanish Club, but I was in Japanese classes…haha). I also did a sport every season, even the ones I did not know how to play (e.g., golf – that was a catastrophe!). My favorite activity in middle school was Math Counts.
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
I didn’t eat school breakfast, but my favorite lunch was LASAGNA!!!! Even to this day I remember how it smelled and tasted. Yum!
What was your favorite part about attending your school?
Middle school was a tough time for me, but I had great teachers who really helped me to understand myself more and find my place in the world. We did a lot of fun things too, like field trips to Kilauea Military Camp, archery, gifted and talented projects, learning about Greek mythology and traveling for Math Counts. I feel like I’ve come full circle now, and I can help this generation of middle schoolers do the same.
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
I was raised by this town and I owe a lot to the Kohala schools and the Kohala community. I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. This is my forever school.
Walter Santiago
School: Kahuku High & Intermediate School
Years in the HIDOE: 25
Years serving as principal: First year
Year graduated: 1988
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student?
Football, basketball, baseball, track & field, Student Body Government Senior Class Vice President, National Honor Society
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Kalua pig and cabbage and shortbread cookies
What was your favorite part about attending Kahuku High & Intermediate?
Friendships, sports, school activities, school spirit, teachers, coaches, ‘ohana, and pride of the North Shore
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
It means everything to be back at my alma mater. It’s been my lifelong dream to return to the school that made me who I am today. My focus now is on equipping and empowering our future leaders—it’s my way of giving back what I’ve been given. Red Raider For Life (RR4L)!
Katina Soares
School: Aoga Maualuga a Molokai
Years in the HIDOE: 22
Years serving as principal: 8
Year graduated: My graduating class was 1995, but I left Molokai High & Intermediate School and got my General Educational Development (GED) in 1994
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student?
Student Council Executive Board, Maui District Student Council, cross country, track and field
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Pig in a blanket
What was your favorite part about attending Molokai High?
Mrs. Kaʻupu’s Honors English Class, it was challenging but we learned so much.
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your former school?
It means I get to (try) to be the change I wish to see in the world. School was not a peaceful or safe learning space for me. My goal was to make Molokai High School an amazing place to learn for all students going forward.
I first came back as a school counselor in 2003, made some strides in school climate. Both my children attended and graduated from Molokai High School in 2016 and 2017. I later realized the real change needed at the school came with being the administrator, so I left to get certified and returned as the principal in 2018.
James Sunday
School: Amiral Arthur W. Radford High School
Years in the HIDOE: 29
Years serving as principal: 13
Year graduated: 1991
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student?
Baseball, football, Lettermen’s Club
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Chicken patty sandwich
What was your favorite part about attending Radford High?
The multi-cultural environment of military and local students
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
It gives me purpose to serve this community I grew up in. To bring pride to our student body, of being part of this incredible journey called Radford! Go RAMS!!
Stanley Tamashiro
School: ‘Ewa Elementary School
Years in the HIDOE: 47
Years serving as principal: 22
Years attended: 1960-67
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student?
Junior police officer, intramural sports
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Spanish rice
What was your favorite part about attending ‘Ewa Elementary?
Working in our class garden and working in the cafeteria
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
That someone from what was a small sugar plantation town can be a principal
Fun fact?
My father and seven of his eight siblings and my brother graduated from ‘Ewa School and now my two grandchildren attend ‘Ewa School
Wess Unten
School: A'oga Tulagalua a Kapunahala
Years in the HIDOE: 33
Years serving as principal: 2
Years attended: 1972-79
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student at Kapunahala?
We had a small but strong Parks and Rec basketball and football team (we actually won the Island championship versus Wai‘anae in my grade 6 year). I served as an athletic director in grade 6; I got to perform with an ‘ukulele club on stage in the cafe in my fifth grade year
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Pig in the blanket!
What was your favorite part about attending Kapunahala?
Our teachers really promoted friendships. We had a lot of opportunities to enjoy each other’s company.
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
It’s a full circle opportunity. I had both the worst and THE BEST education experience at Kapunahala. That paved the way for my want to give back to my community. I am humbled to serve this amazing community. The faculty and staff are truly committed to the area. Our haumana, I cannot say enough about them and their families. It is everything I’ve envisioned, and I will continue to promote kuleana.
Keoni Wilhelm
School: H.P. Baldwin High School
Years in the HIDOE: 32
Years serving as principal: 6
Year graduated: 1987
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student at Baldwin?
Concert, symphonic jazz, marching, select, Honor Band
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
I didn’t eat meals at school.
What was your favorite part about attending your school?
Hanging out with my band friends!
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
It means so much! I have the opportunity to serve my community. I am grateful for this service! I would like to thank all the Baldwin stakeholders for their time, work, and support in making Baldwin the best! Mahalo nui loa! Go Bears!
Sean Wong
School: Peresitene Theodore Roosevelt High
Years in the HIDOE: 30
Years serving as principal: 11
Year graduated: 1990
What extracurricular activities or school activities were you involved in when you were a student at Roosevelt?
Doing various school projects in Mr. Murakami’s wood shop class, and dancing hula at May Day as a requirement for my Hawaiian Studies class
What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast as a student?
Sloppy Joe!
What was your favorite part about attending Roosevelt?
Hanging out with friends and learning applicable life lessons in my wood shop and drafting classes
What does it mean to you to serve as the principal of your alma mater?
It provides me with the opportunity to give back to the Rough Rider community, and collaborate with our faculty and staff to prepare and inspire our students for their future
