Nov. 21, 2025

Caring for the whole child is at the heart of our ʻŌiwi Edge approach to learning and leading. As we continue to strengthen the systems that support the safety, health, and holistic well-being of our haumāna, we are pleased to share an important next step for our K–12 kauhale. Beginning summer 2026, Kumu Lehua Veincent will transition into a new leadership role asHead of Student Health and Well-Being, helping unify and elevate the ways we nurture confident, connected, and resilient learners.

This move reflects a strategic investment in our future—not a departure from the importance of high school leadership. The creation of this role affirms our commitment to building a more seamless, responsive, and culturally grounded network of care for all haumāna and ʻohana. From mental health supports and wellness education to comprehensive safety systems and cross-division alignment, this strengthened structure will help ensure every student feels seen, supported, and positioned to thrive.

Kumu Lehua is uniquely prepared to lead this work. For his nearly four decades of service across charter, public, private, and university settings; his deep aloha for haumāna; and his unwavering presence in our community make him the ideal leader to guide this next phase of campus-wide care. His pilina with students, ʻohana, staff, and alumni will ground this work in trust, responsiveness, and the distinct strengths of Kamehameha Hawaiʻi.

This transition also supports a planned and thoughtful succession strategy for Kula Kiʻekiʻe. With several natural leadership transitions anticipated in the coming years, moving Kumu Lehua into a K–12 role ensures stability, continuity, and long-term vision. It broadens his impact at a moment when health, safety, and well-being have never been more essential to student success. This role recognizes his immense contributions and positions him to strengthen the systems that will support our haumāna long into the future.

For the past 14 years, Kumu Lehua has served as the longest-tenured principal of Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi, leading Kula Kiʻekiʻe with vision, aloha, humility, and courage. His leadership has shaped the identity of our high school and influenced Native Hawaiian education statewide. Under his guidance, postsecondary enrollment rose to 90%, long-term postsecondary completion climbed 17 percentage points, and haumāna gained access to innovative pathways such as Kamaluonālani workplace learning and early college partnerships—including the Kaunaloa dual-credit program that significantly reduced ‘ohana cost and strengthened preparation for college.

Through initiatives such as college tours, ʻohana engagement, and the development of the ʻAlihilani College Center, he expanded opportunity, aspiration, and readiness for generations of haumāna. Equally important has been his leadership grounded in aloha ʻāina and ʻohana-centered practice—mentoring emerging leaders, fostering enduring community partnerships, and modeling the integrity and empathy that define our ʻŌiwi Edge approach.

Later this week, we will launch the search for the next Kula Kiʻekiʻe Poʻo Kumu. Our goal is to identify a leader early enough to ensure strong preparation for the 2026–2027 school year. The process will be comprehensive, inclusive, and transparent, engaging voices from across our kauhale. The high school principalship remains a vital leadership role—one that carries the kuleana of advancing Haumāna-Centered Learning, strengthening pilina, and preparing haumāna to realize Kuapapa Nui empowerment in service to our lāhui.

Please join us in extending our warmest mahalo, aloha, and congratulations to Kumu Lehua for his extraordinary service, visionary leadership, and continued dedication to the flourishing of our haumāna and community.