The search for the next po‘o kula at KS Kapālama is more than filling a role—it is a shared kuleana to uplift future generations. Grounded in E Ola! and Strategic Plan 2030, this process reflects our steadfast commitment to the well-being of our haumāna, educational excellence, and servant leadership.
Guided by our Hawaiian values and faith in Ke Akua, a diverse committee of staff, faculty, alumni, and ‘ohana is guiding an inclusive and transparent process with opportunities for broad community input. Regular updates will be shared here as we move forward together.
The Message Hub is a space where our Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana can stay connected to the po‘o kula search journey. Here you’ll find updates, announcements, and important news shared with our community so everyone can stay informed and engaged as we move forward together.
In July 2025, a review committee was formed to help guide the po‘o kula search. The committee represents a cross-section of the KSK school community, including:
The new po‘o kula is anticipated to begin by school year 2026–27. The search process, launched in July 2025, is expected to take 8–10 months.
Choosing the right leader takes thoughtful engagement and careful review, and many strong candidates are completing their 2025–26 school-year commitments. Recruitment for a po‘o kula and similar leadership roles is intentionally paced to honor that cycle. The search has prioritized inclusivity and community input and is moving forward with strong momentum. We aim to select the next KSK po‘o kula by spring 2026, announce shortly after, and support a summer 2026 transition.
The search process is being led and facilitated by the vice president of KS Strategy & Experience, Kēhau Abad, at the request of the CEO. Educators Collaborative, an executive search firm, is assisting with this process.
The CEO will make the final hiring decision, informed by the review committee’s work, community input—including questionnaire data and the consultants’ campus visit insights—and guided by Kamehameha Schools’ strategic priorities and values.
The review committee consists of twenty-one members, representing a cross-section of the KSK school community. Its role is to gather input on desired po‘o kula qualities and experiences, review materials, contribute to the development of the evaluation rubrics, and provide perspectives and mana‘o throughout the process.
Executive search firms ensure a fair, rigorous, and thorough recruitment process led by experts in identifying top educational leaders. A search firm broadens the candidate pool through extensive networks, provides confidentiality and objectivity, and helps identify leaders whose experiences and qualities align with the school’s mission and culture. Search firms also manage the complex logistics of the process.
Kamehameha Schools has engaged with Carol Santos and Carole Everett of Educators Collaborative, an executive search firm, to help design and implement the search process that aligns with the values and aspirations of the Kapālama community.
Kamehameha Schools provides the search firm with the necessary information and guidance to ensure that the uniqueness of the organization and the Kapālama campus are reflected in the process. The review committee plays a key role throughout this process. The firm’s expertise complements the knowledge of KS leaders and staff to ensure that cultural identity and organizational priorities are honored. This includes the consultants’ in-person engagement at the Kapālama campus, where they met with a wide range of constituents and gained firsthand insight into the cultural richness and values that define the KSK community.
Input opportunities include a questionnaire distributed to KSK staff, faculty, parents/‘ohana, and alumni; a feedback form on the po‘o kula search webpage; and direct outreach to review committee representatives or via email at ksksearch@ksbe.edu.
Jul 2025
Aug 2025
Sept - Oct 2025
Recruitment ⏴
Nov 2025
Dec 2025
Jan 2026
Feb 2026
Mar 2026
Apr 2026
May+ 2026
*Timing is dependent on internal and external hiring factors
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
