KS Hawai'i names new kula ha'aha'a po'o kumu

Kaʻulu Gapero will be the Hawaiʻi campusʻ new elementary school principal.

Jul. 10, 2018

Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth

Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi has named longtime educator Kaʻulu Gapero as kula haʻahaʻa poʻo kumu (elementary school principal).

Gapero was selected after an extensive search that included manaʻo from students, parents, faculty, staff and campus leadership.

“Kumu Gapero brings tremendous classroom experience, system level leadership and Hawaiian cultural perspective to his new kuleana as poʻo kumu,” said KS Hawaiʻi hope poʻo kula Scott De Sa and poʻo kula Kāhealani Naeʻole-Wong in a letter to staff.

“His organization, clear thinking, masterful facilitation skills, and articulate communication style, coupled with his instructional leadership and ability to connect critical aspects of teaching and learning, are truly inspirational. We are excited to welcome Kumu Gapero back to our KSH ʻohana and look forward to his leadership to continue advancing ʻŌiwi Edge learning as a foundation for each haumāna.”

Gapero has been an educator with Kamehameha Schools since 2002, serving as a secondary math and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi kula kiʻekiʻe (high school) teacher at the Hawaiʻi campus. Prior to returning to KS Hawaiʻi, Gapero was the director of career pathways and professional growth with KS’ Hoʻolaukoa Educational Systems and Strategies Division, which supports KS’ system-wide initiatives. Most recently, he led the charge to directly link kumu reflection and growth to our E Ola! Learner Outcomes, called the E Ulu! pilot. He also supported KS, public and other private school kumu vying for certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Over the years, Gapero took on a variety of roles, including content leader and Kula Kauwela program administrator, and as a Ka Piʻina Trainer Evaluator, where he supported both kumu and alakaʻi in a process for reflection and evaluation. Prior to Kamehameha, Kumu Gapero taught math and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at Henry Perrine Baldwin High School on Maui.

Reflecting on his career at Kamehameha, Gapero stated, “I’ve had opportunities to learn with, and provide curricular, instructional and leadership support to educators across divisions, campuses, grade levels (Pk-12) and content areas. I look forward to sharing my experience, knowledge, and skills in the service of teaching and learning, and remain committed to continuous growth.”

Originally from Maui, Gapero graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in 1993. He is a national board-certified teacher in early adolescent mathematics. He received his Master of Arts degree in business and mathematics education from Willamette University and his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Oregon. He is currently working towards a doctorate in education through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.