June 22, 2012
Contributed by Pakalani Bello
"The Kamehameha Maui 'Ohana is pleased and delighted with the selection of Jay-R Ka'awa and Lance Cagasan to serve as our High School Po'o Kumu," said Delima. "Individually they represent and work with the heart of Pauahi's timeless mission at the forefront of all they do. Together, they have demonstrated a unique cohesiveness that bolsters and bonds students and staff to reach meaningful goals and extend themselves to higher peaks."
Subsequent to a two-year pilot, KS Maui is formalizing a Co-Principal Governance Model in the high school. This model features two principals who are fully authorized to lead the school in consistent fashion to that of a conventional one-principal structure. Principal supervisory duties were realigned by grade levels, 9 and 10 (Foundation Program) and 11 and 12 (Academies). Intentional realignment of the overall workload supports the principal to respond more efficiently to teachers, parents and students and increase time for instructional leadership responsibilities.
Ka'awa has been at KS Maui for seven years as the High School Hope Po'o Kumu (Vice Principal) and Interim Po'o Kumu of the High School Academies. She has overseen the academy program and all the components of high school activities during that time. Prior to her time at KS Maui,Ka'awa served as a teacher and Hope Po'o Kumu at Moloka'i High and Intermediate School. Ka'awa earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Biology and Secondary Education and Masters of Secondary Education at Southern Utah University before getting her Educational Administration Certification from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.
"I am so humbled by the opportunity to serve as Po'o Kumu o ke kula ki'eki'e," said Ka'awa. "The faculty and staff here at 'A'apueo are dedicated individuals that embrace the vision of our Ke Ali'i Pauahi and the mission of Kamehameha Schools, it is an honor to work alongside these wonderful individuals. Our haumāna energize me daily, they carry the spirit of our ali'i and kūpuna in them. Because of this, I am continuously inspired to ensure excellent educational opportunities are readily available to them and generations to come. E holomua kākou me ka pono o Ke Akua."
Cagasan has been at KS Maui for the past 13 years, most recently as the Interim Po'o Kumu of the ninth and 10th grades, overseeing the academic program and all of the components of the athletic programs. He was also the High School Hope Po'o Kumu, the first KS Maui Middle School grade 6 teacher and the KS Maui High School Varsity Basketball Coach. Cagasan got his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UH-Hilo, his Professional Diploma from UH-Mānoa and a Masters in Education from Chaminade University.
"I am quite humbled to be called on to serve as the 9-10 principal of Kamehameha Schools Maui," said Cagasan. "I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to continue to serve an honorable mission."
Both begin their new roles on June 22, 2012.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
