{"id":19053,"date":"2026-03-25T10:42:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiipublicschools.org\/?p=19053"},"modified":"2026-04-07T07:28:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T17:28:12","slug":"nanakuli-high-and-intermediate-principal-christine-udarbe-named-hawai%ca%bbis-2026-national-distinguished-principal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiipublicschools.org\/sm\/nanakuli-high-and-intermediate-principal-christine-udarbe-named-hawai%ca%bbis-2026-national-distinguished-principal\/","title":{"rendered":"N\u0101n\u0101kuli High and Intermediate Principal Christine Udarbe named Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s 2026 National Distinguished Principal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kaimuk\u012b Middle Vice Principal Jenna Valbuena recognized as Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s 2026 National Outstanding Assistant Principal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

N\u0101n\u0101kuli High and Intermediate Principal Christine Udarbe has been named Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s 2026 National Distinguished Principal by the Hawai\u02bbi Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association (HEMSAA), recognizing her strong instructional leadership and commitment to building a culture of excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s honoree, Udarbe will represent the state in Washington, D.C., in October, where she will be recognized alongside other national awardees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“N\u0101n\u0101kuli High and Intermediate serves a community challenged by a high rate of poverty, predominantly Native Hawaiian, with significant levels of historical and familial trauma,” N\u0101n\u0101kuli-Wai\u2018anae Complex Area Superintendent Disa Hauge wrote in support of Udarbe\u02bbs nomination. “Christine advocates for all students and strives to provide high-quality educational opportunities. \u2026 She sees challenges as opportunities and has a laser-like focus on developing programs that eliminate disparities in educational outcomes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Udarbe joined N\u0101n\u0101kuli High and Intermediate in 2024 after previously serving as principal of N\u0101n\u0101ikapono Elementary, Maunawili Elementary and Ka\u2018elepulu Elementary. She holds a Ph.D. in education and two master\u2019s degrees in education administration and secondary science from the University of Hawai\u2018i at M\u0101noa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChristine has fostered a positive school culture where all students receive the support needed to meet academic standards and develop social and emotional well-being,\u201d Hauge said. \u201cSchool turnaround is incredibly difficult. Christine has stayed the course, handled challenging circumstances, and set high expectations, creating a culture of consistency that has transformed N\u0101n\u0101kuli High and Intermediate into a place where students, families and staff truly thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under Udarbe\u2019s leadership, the school transitioned from a one-year probationary term to a six-year accreditation term from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges \u2014 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 \u2018Ohana 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Udarbe, representing the Leeward District, was one of seven district-level finalists for this year\u2019s award. Other finalists were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n