Nahale-a is named senior director of regional strategies for Hawai'i island

Dec. 16, 2015

Contributed by Leanne Okamoto

Kamehameha Schools has named Albert “Alapaki” Nahale-a senior director of regional strategies for Hawai‘i island. The new position is part of the Community Engagement & Resources Group (CE&R); a new addition to the KS organizational structure, working to connect programs, services, lands and resources with communities KS interacts with and helps support.

Most recently, Nahale-a served as director of the Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School and currently serves on the Presidential Scholars Commission, appointed by President Obama.

Nahale-a started in his new role on November 16 and oversees all CE&R operations for West and East Hawaiʻi. As senior director, Nahale-a is tasked with facilitating the formation of the East Hawaiʻi regional structure, a key action item of CE&R’s strategic goals for its Strategic Plan 2020 (SP2020). He is also responsible for the effective coordination and execution of new and existing programs and initiatives implemented as part of the new plan.

“I am pleased that Alapaki has accepted the role of Sr. Director for Moku o Keawe,” Said Kāʻeo Duarte, VP of Community Engagement and Resources. “He comes to CE&R with an impressive blend of education, community, and land expertise.”

Prior to joining KS, Nahale-a spent over 20 years serving the community in a variety of roles. He was the director and chairman of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Trust (DHHL), East Hawaiʻi DHHL commissioner, director of Kā ʻUmeke Kāʻeo Immersion Public Charter School, chairperson of the County of Hawai‘i Cultural Resources Commission, board member of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, and executive director of the Hawaiʻi Charter Schools Network.

“I am excited and honored to join the CE&R ‘ohana,” said Nahale-a. “I look forward to working with our team and the community to thoughtfully develop the best path to improving the well-being of our lāhui.”

Born and raised in Hilo, Nahale-a is a 1986 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania.

I look forward to working with our team and the community to thoughtfully develop the best path to improving the well-being of our lāhui.
Albert "Alapaki" Nahale-a, senior director of regional strategies, Hawaiʻi island