January 24, 2003
Contributed by Kekoa Paulsen
"Kamehameha Schools is first and foremost an educational institution. These changes reflect the significant expansion of Kamehameha's mission to educate more Hawaiians in more ways, to better recognize the educational value and significance of our land legacy and the importance of building our relationship with our communities," said KS Trustee and Board Chair Constance H. Lau. As Chancellor and CEO, McCubbin will continue to be responsible for the overall operations of Kamehameha Schools. He is supported by vice presidents for education, endowment, finance and administration, legal affairs and communications and community relations. Two new education dean positions are being established. One position will be responsible for the development of a virtual campus to extend Kamehameha's educational reach through the power of technology. The second will be responsible for further developing Kamehameha's Legacy Land Education programs that integrate education and stewardship, protection of our ecosystem and archaeological treasures, Hawaiian culture and KS land resources. "These positions align with Kamehameha's goals of extending our educational reach and preserving not only our culture and heritage but our lands as well," McCubbin explained. The elevation of communications and community relations to an executive level position reflects the organization's commitment to extending its educational reach into the community and an increased focus on communication with Kamehameha's stakeholders. "We at Kamehameha feel strongly about enhancing our relationship and interactions with the communities we serve," McCubbin said. No additional positions are required to implement the executive realignment, and in fact, McCubbin explained, the changes emphasize KS efforts to focus on improving cost-effectiveness, efficiency and productivity throughout the entire organization, including KS' for-profit subsidiaries, in order to direct more resources to education. He further explained that KS will first pursue efficiencies through consolidation, attrition and not filling some vacant positions. In some cases, new programs are being developed or existing ones expanded, so increased staffing is also expected. "Changes will continue, as this is necessary and integral to our ability to carry out the initiatives of our Strategic Plan, meet legal and audit requirements, and integrate new knowledge, skills, experience and thinking to Kamehameha," said McCubbin. "This realignment will help us achieve what Pauahi directed us to do: provide education for generations to come."
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
