The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education on May 19, voted 8-1 to hire University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumnus Keith Hayashi to lead Hawaiʻi’s public schools as superintendent.
Hayashi earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UH Mānoa. He also holds two master of education degrees—in curriculum and instruction, and educational administration—from UH Mānoa.
Hayashi has been leading the department as the interim superintendent after the previous leader, Christina Kishimoto, chose not to seek a renewal of her contract.
“This means a great deal. I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead our public schools in Hawaiʻi. I know that all of us, working together, will make a difference in the lives of each and every one of our students,” Hayashi told board members following the vote.
As a principal, Hayashi was recognized for transforming Waipahu High School into the state’s leading college and career high school as the first wall-to-wall national model academy high school. Under Hayashi’s leadership, the school also implemented the state’s first Early College program, resulting to date in more than 3,000 Waipahu High students earning college credits and nearly 50 students earning associate’s degrees while still in high school.
The board will finalize an employment contract for Hayashi to start the permanent position on July 1.
Read more about his selection at HawaiiPublicSchools.org.
