Lei Kapono

Hawaiʻi Community College
200 West Kawili Street
MC 378
Hilo, HI 96720-4091

Donnette Leilani (Lei) Kapono began serving as interim chancellor of Hawaiʻi Community College on November 2, 2026. She brings extensive experience in higher education administration, workforce development and community engagement, including leadership positions at Hawaiʻi CC and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Kapono previously served at Hawaiʻi CC from 1998 to 2006, advancing through administrative and project leadership positions in the Office of Continuing Education and Training before becoming a faculty member and program coordinator. During her tenure, she administered a federally funded rural development initiative and helped develop workforce training programs in agriculture, healthcare, construction, hospitality, industrial technologies and education. Her work included partnerships with government agencies, employers and community organizations to expand educational and economic opportunities across Hawaiʻi Island.

Following her service at Hawaiʻi CC, Kapono held several positions at UH Hilo, including academic support and administrative roles at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, interim executive assistant to the chancellor, associate director of Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani and, most recently, interim vice chancellor for student affairs. Her contributions have included assisting with institutional accreditation preparation, strategic planning, program development and initiatives supporting Hawaiian language and culture in education. Kapono has also served as board president of the Pūʻā Foundation, a social justice nonprofit organization, and received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award in 2005.

Kapono holds a bachelor of business administration degree from UH Hilo and a master of arts in education from Central Michigan University.