MEDIA RELEASE

At a special awards luncheon, exceptional school leaders will be recognized by the Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association (HEMSAA):

National Distinguished Principals’ Recognition Program
Hale Koa Hotel
Sunday, April 22, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(Program will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m.)

Hawaii’s 2012 National Distinguished Principal will be selected from the current district nominees:

• Kenneth Lee, Nimitz Elementary (Central Oahu District)
• Tim Lino, Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino (Hawaii District)
• Evelyn Hao, Kuhio Elementary (Honolulu District)
• Disa Hauge, Maili Elementary (Leeward Oahu District)
• Glenda Miyazaki, Waimea Canyon Middle (Kauai District)
• Chad Okamoto, Pukalani Elementary (Maui District)
• Lanelle Hibbs, Kailua Elementary (Windward Oahu District)

Established in 1984, the National Distinguished Principals Program honors exemplary elementary and middle school principals who set the pace, character, and quality of the education children receive in their early school years. The National Distinguished Principals program is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education and in corporate sponsorship with VALIC.

HEMSAA will also be honoring Waiau Elementary’s Stacey Makanoe Kawasaki, Hawaii’s 2012 National Association of Elementary Principals (NAESP) Outstanding Assistant Principal. Assistant principals, also known as vice principals, in pre-K-8 schools around the country now have a national awards program to call their own, thanks to NAESP’s new Outstanding Assistant Principals Award Program, which was formally announced last year. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional leadership in a particular school program; be respected by students, colleagues, parents, and the community at large; and set high expectations for school staff and students.