Kasie Kaleohano unanimously appointed new superintendent for Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area

The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education has unanimously approved the appointments of Kasie Kaleohano as complex area superintendent overseeing schools in the Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area and Leila Maeda-Kobayashi as complex area superintendent overseeing schools in the Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea Complex Area and

Kaleohano has served as the deputy complex area superintendent of the Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area since January and has more than 20 years experience with the department, all in the same complex.

She previously served as a district educational specialist for the complex area, principal at Waiākeawaena Elementary, vice principal at Kalaniana`ole Elementary and Intermediate, and various teaching and support staff roles at Waiākea High.

“Ms. Kaleohano’s commitment to the Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area and improving our public education system is unquestionable,” Hayashi said in his recommendation to the Board. “As Complex Area Superintendent, Ms. Kaleohano will provide executive leadership by upholding the values of high expectations, equity and cultural understanding in all matters through a productive professional culture.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/Hawaiian language from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a masterʻs degree in secondary education from National University. Kaleohano succeeds Esther Kanehailua, who retires at the end of June with 30 years of service to Hawaiʻi public schools. 

Maeda-Kobayashi has more than 30 years experience with the department and has served since March as the deputy complex area superintendent of the Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea Complex Area.

She previously served as principal at Koloa Elementary, vice principal at Wilcox Elementary and Kapaʻa High, student services coordinator at Kōloa Elementary, and as a special education teacher at Kōloa and Waipahu elementary schools. 

“This array of experiences will enable Ms. Maeda-Kobayashi to continue to guide the Kapaʻa- Kauaʻi-Waimea Complex Area and to be responsive to the needs of schools,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said in his recommendation to the Board. She “has gained substantial departmental knowledge, enabling her to effectively address school needs and communicate across all levels of the tri-level system.”

Maeda-Kobayashi holds an educational certificate in elementary and special education as well as a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She succeeds veteran educator Daniel Hamada, who will retire at the end of June with a 47-year public schools career.

Both appointments are effective July 1.