Samuel K. Ka'auwai
Malia 'Alohilani Rogers
'Ilima 'Apana
Namomi McCorriston
Debra Gochros - Debra (Kepola) Gochros has been a middle school science teacher for 8 years. A graduate of University of Hawai'i Manoa, she holds a degree in Secondary Science Education. Her post graduate studies include working with NASA to improve science education, developing curriculum for Volcanoes Alive program, working with Kaua'i teachers to develop a watershed education conference and becoming a fellowship scholar for National Tropical Botanical Garden. Her favorite off hours activity is training her dog "Astro" for the Kaua'i Search and Rescue Team. She enjoys teaching students through hands-on activities and labs. She believes in place-based teaching programs and is excited about the teaching opportunities with Kawaikini. She hopes to engage the students in real world activities and problems to emphasize the importance of knowledge.
He Laeo'o Ho'ona'auao ko Mahealani Yamashita, he kumu alaka'i no ka pae papa 6-12 ma Kawaikini. Ma hope o ka puka kula 'ana mai Kamehameha, ua loa'a na Kekele Laepua A'o Kula Waena/ Ki'eki'e, 'Olelo Pelekania, a me ka Palapala 'Oihana A'o ia Mahealani mai ke Kulanui O Hawai'i ma Manoa. Ia ia e ho'oko ana i kona kuleana Pu'ali
Koa no 'ewalu makahiki, ho'omau akula 'o ia i ka 'imi na'auao me ka loa'a maila o ka Laeo'o A'oa'o Ho'ona'auao mai ke Kulani O Phoenix. He Palapala A'o 'Olelo Pelekania ma na papa kula waena/ ki'eki'e a he Palapala A'oa'o mai ka papa M-12 ko Mahealani mai ka moku'aina. I keia manawa, ke 'imi nei 'o ia i kona Lae'ula Ho'ona'auao me ke kalele ma Ke Alaka'ina Ho'ona'auao. He mana'olana kona e paipai i na kumu no 'ane'i e a'o i 'ane'i a me ka ho'oikaika 'ana i na helu 'ai heluhelu o ko Hawai'i keiki. Ma hope o ke a'o 'ana ma lalo o ka 'Oihana Ho'ona'auao o Hawai'i no 'umikumakolu mau makahiki, ua a'o 'o ia i ka 'Olelo Pelekania a me ka ha'i'olelo ma ke Kula 'o Kamehameha ma Kapalama ma mua o kona ne'e 'ana i Kaua'i. Ua hana pu 'o ia ma na
kula kaiaulu no na kanaka ma O'ahu. Hau'oli 'o Kumu Mahealani e komo a 'auamo i ko Kawaikini ala nu'ukia e ho'omau i ka 'olelo Hawai'i, ka mo'omeheu, a me ka ho'ona'auao 'ana i na haumana.
Kawai'olu Torio - Kumu Kokua, K-2
Moani Mahinai - Kumu Kokua, K-2
Kanana Kuhaulua - Kumu Kokua, 3-5
Lei Wann - Kumu Kokua, 3-5
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:
Leialoha Kauahi, M.Ed., is a former principal and teacher who served in the Hawai'i Department of Education for 37 years. As a co-director at Kawaikini, Mrs. Kauahi is committed to achieving the following goals: mobilizing teachers, staff, students, parents and community around a vision of a school in which all students achieve; creating an orderly and safe school environment by setting high standards for discipline and attendance; helping students acquire the habits and attitudes necessary for more than adequate progress in school, college and life; providing a challenging academic curriculum and tailoring instructional strategies to meet the needs of all students; focusing on early childhood programs to increase children's chances for success; reaching out to help parents take part in educating their children.
Chris Town, M.Ed., is a seasoned principal with over 38 years experience in Hawai'i public and private schools. Chris came to Hawai`i in 1970 to work as a teacher at Kapa`a Elementary. After teaching at Koloa Elementary School for seven years, Chris moved on to school administration in a number of Kaua'i schools. As principal of Kalaheo Elementary for 14 years, Chris worked with his staff to bring about many innovative changes including school community based management. After earning his M.Ed. along with a cadre of his Kalaheo teachers in 1995, Chris moved on to become Kaua'i Deputy District Superintendent. After "retirement" Chris served in Colorado as a principal for 6 years where he implemented school-wide improvement and a school facilities renovation. Returning to Hawai`i, Chris served on O`ahu as a private school Director. Chris has extended family on Kaua`i, O`ahu and Hawai`i, including a brother, children, and grandchildren, two of whom will attend Kawaikini. Chris lives in Oma'o with his wife Devi.
Ke'ala Bristol joins Kawaikini as the school's Student Administrative Services Assistant (SASA). Ke'ala studied both Journalism and Public Relations at Hawai'i Pacific University in Honolulu. While earning her degree, Ke'ala worked as a childcare associate and as a Kumu for the county's Summer Enrichment Program, and most recently worked for a medical clinic in Kilauea. She is excited for the upcoming school year and is working hard to improve her Hawaiian language fluency.
Kaulana Smith, M.Ed., (Student Services Coordinator) comes to Kawaikini from Kapa'a High School, where she served as a Special Education Teacher and worked with students with disabilities for 10 years. Kaulana earned a B.A. in English from the University of Hawai`i, Manoa, and a Masters in Special Education from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Kaulana is trained in various reading, writing, and behavioral strategies and she is a proponent of self-determination for students with disabilities. At Kapa`a High, Kaulana initiated SPED programs in technology integration, project-base learning, the Readiness Employability Program, and partnered with Hawai`i Networked Learning Communities (HNLC). Kaulana helped in the start-up of Ka Loko I`a, a Fisheries and Hatchery Facility, as well as other Workplace Readiness Projects. In keeping with the Vision and Beliefs of Kawaikini, Kaulana continues to be the alaka`i of Hanai I Ka Ipu (HIKI) Kapa`a, a leadership and mentoring program through the Pacific American Foundation, and is the Girls Varsity Canoe Paddling Coach at Kapa`a High School. Kaulana joins Kawaikini with the love and support of her family (including 3 of 4 children who have been nurtured by Ke Kula Kaiapuni `O Kapa`a) and the spiritual guidance of na kupuna, na `aumakua a me ke akua.
Sandy Reece (Business Manager) attended the University of Toledo and has worked as an Accountant for over 30 years.
