Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i names three finalists for Head of School

November 21, 2011

Contributed by Thomas Yoshida

The process to find a new Head of School began in October with an overwhelming interest from candidates from throughout Hawai'i and the continent. After reviewing over 25 completed applications, semi-finalist interviews were conducted by the Search Review Committee earlier this month.

The three finalists are:

Dr. Carl Kalani Beyer is currently the Dean of the School of Education at Pacific Oaks College in California. After attending Beloit College in Wisconsin, he married his college sweetheart and taught high school social studies in Illinois' High School District 211 from 1968 - 2002. Kalani served as the social studies department chair and the club sponsor for students of color. Kalani then moved to Concordia University in Illinois where he served as Faculty and Chair of Teacher Education in their School of Education. From 2007 - 2011 he served as the Dean of the School of Education of National University in California and has published an impressive list of articles, many dealing with Hawaiian culture and history. Kalani holds a Ph.D. in curriculum design from the University of Illinois at Chicago and multiple master's degrees in education, management and behavior and U.S. History. He has been an active member of KS alumni groups over the years.

Mr. William Noyes Moseley is currently completing his 12th year as Headmaster of the Ensworth School in Tennessee - a K-12 school that he has grown from 535 to 1,045 students including the addition of a high school during his tenure. After graduating from Lake Forest College in Illinois, William began his educational career in New York City - moving from science teacher, to admissions director, to head of middle school and finally assistant headmaster (1985 - 1995).

He then spent five years as the Middle School Head at The Bishop's School in California before moving to his current position. William holds a master's in independent school leadership from Columbia University. Professional affiliations have included the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He has served on several community boards including the Nashville Symphony, Friends of Warner Parks, and the First Center for the Visual Arts Education Council.

Dr. Holoua Stender is currently in his seventh year as the KS Kapālama Elementary School Principal. He has served the high school as teacher and department chair in the areas of performing arts and social studies (1979-2003) before spending one year as assistant principal. Holoua grew up on Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead and learned Hawaiian culture and 'ōlelo at an early age. He achieved the level of Kumu Hula in 1979 and still advises and supports different hālau, including some in Northern California. Holoua completed his doctorate in Education from USC, and currently serves as an adjunct assistant professor for the University. In addition to his doctorate, Holoua also holds a master's in Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is involved in many of the current KS educational initiatives. He serves on the core planning team of Kamehameha Schools Standards-Based Kula Hawai'i project.

Final interviews will take place during the month of December. A final decision will be made by KS' CEO, Dee Jay Mailer in consultation with the School's Board of Trustees. An announcement of a new KSH Po'o Kula is expected by the end of January 2012.

Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling nearly 6,900 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i and 31 preschool sites statewide. Approximately 37,500 additional Hawaiian learners and caregivers are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools' outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai'i and across the continental United States.

Media contact: Elizabeth Ahana, (808) 534-3872, elahana@ksbe.edu