A Foundation of Reclamation I am a mother, daughter, ‘ōlapa, and steersman raised in the rains and reaches of Ko‘olauloa and Ko‘olaupoko, O‘ahu. My life’s work is a continuation of the genealogies and communities that raised me. I view my kuleana to education through the specific roles that have shaped my body and my practice.
My foundation as a granddaughter is my primary mandate for action. I spent decades living with and eventually caring for my Tutu, Kathryne Leilani Lee, learning from her stories of the 1920s and beyond—a time when she was punished for her language and culture in school. I was born just in time to be the juxtaposition to her pain. As a product of Pūnana Leo, Kula Kaiapuni, and Kamehameha Schools, I experienced the “magic” of reclamation where she experienced sorrow. I am dedicated to ensuring that the cultural healing that was a miracle for me becomes the standard for every learner we serve in Hawai‘i.
Observation and Seeking Clarity My leadership style is deeply informed by my training as an ‘ōlapa of Hālau o ke ‘A‘ali‘i Kū Makani and as a steersman on the water. In these spaces, I was taught the vital lesson of nānā me ko‘u mau maka, ho‘olohe me ko‘u mau pepeiao, a pa‘a ko‘u waha—to observe and listen with all my senses before being too quick to speak. This discipline allows me to enter new or complex institutional spaces with the intention to seek understanding and clarity before moving to action. I believe that a leader must first be a student of the environment to truly know how to guide it.
The Mother: A Protective Architect The role of mother gifted me a “Mama Bear” courage that I have translated into my professional life as a protective architect. I have spent my career building programs that are trauma-informed and prioritize healing—not just for students, but for the staff who care for them—because I know that a healed educator creates a healing environment for a learner.
This protective instinct is paired with a deep curiosity for the science of how we grow. My understanding of the learning process was sharpened by a personal learning journey as a mother, where I explored developmental and holistic education through self-directed study and graduate coursework. I bring this curiosity into my leadership, always inviting conversations—informed by my time as a Kamehameha teacher and K-12 board member—that respect the biological and emotional foundations of student success.
The Facilitator: An Institutional Navigator In my twenty years at the University of Hawai‘i, I have leaned into facilitation as a primary leadership tool—a model taught to me by mentors. To me, facilitation is the art of creating spaces where storytelling and connection become the engine for transformation.
Using this approach, I have served as an institutional navigator, leading the authoring and implementation of Native Hawaiian imperatives within the University’s Strategic Plans and budget frameworks. I have practiced the art of being a translator—hand-holding colleagues through language that resonated with them without compromising our Native Hawaiian principles. Guided by the teachings of various kumu, I lead with the understanding that true institutional progress requires reconnection with self, one another, and ‘āina.
Kū Makani: Cultivating the Ululā‘au These roles converge in the Kū Makani framework that emerged out of my dissertation research, which guides me to be rooted, resilient, and responsive. I look to the ‘a‘ali‘i as my teacher; while a single shrub is strong, it is within an ululā‘au (a resilient grove) that they truly withstand the gale. I strive not only to lead through these lenses but to intentionally cultivate these qualities in those around me. I specialize in enterprise leadership, weaving people together and empowering them to lead so that we multiply our impact for the lāhui.
Elevating our Shared Future I am not looking to return to Kamehameha Schools to lead from above or to start from scratch. I am looking to work alongside a community I deeply respect to elevate the brilliance already present at Kapālama. I bring humility, a sense of urgency, and a “let’s go” attitude grounded in a track record of results. I am here to help Kamehameha Schools realize its potential as a heartbeat for the future of our lāhui and our beloved Hawai‘i.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
