Kamehameha School Hawaii High School Names New Principal

Lehua Veincent has been named new Po’o Kumu (Principal) for Kamehameha School (KS) Hawai‘i’s high school campus.

“Kumu Lehua is an experienced, responsive, innovative and effective educator with more than twenty-five years of experience as a teacher and school administrator in the State of Hawai‘i Department of Education,” said Dr. Holoua Stender, future Po‘o Kula (Head of School) for KS-Hawai‘i after the departure of current Headmaster, Dr. Stan Fortuna this July.

“Kumu Lehua is fluent in ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language) and has worked with community leaders to incorporate innovative educational methodologies, including Hawaiian culture-based education into the fabric of curriculum at Keaukaha Elementary School and other schools where he has served,” added Dr. Stender. “Kumu Lehua is a leader who is committed to the well-being of students and staff. It is an honor to have him join the faculty of the Kamehameha Schools, Hawai‘i Campus.”

Veincent is currently the principal of Keaukaha Elementary School and is deeply rooted in the Keaukaha community. In addition to tutoring students and actively engaging the community with the school, Veincent also began the successful “Got Pono” campaign at Keaukaha which has built student and community pride and ownership in the school and its outcomes.

“I have dedicated my life to educating Hawai‘i’s children and my passion for educating Native Hawaiian children is at my core,” Veincent said.

Veincent holds a master’s degree in K-12 Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a master’s in K-12 Education administration, both from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.

Prior to Keaukaha Elementary School, Veincent was the principal and founder of the Ke Ana La‘ahana Public Charter School, a 7-12 grade Hawaiian cultural-based school located in Keaukaha where he still serves as Board Chair. With over 25 years in public education, Veincent has also served as Vice Principal of Hilo High and Intermediate Schools and as a state resource teacher in Hawaiian Language and Culture. Veincent has also taught Kindergarten through 12th grade. Active on several community boards, Veincent is also an instructor at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s Education Department.

“I am deeply rooted and have a solid foundation in Hawaiian culture and language and am looking forward to how I may contribute to our haumāna,” Veincent added. “I hold dear Kamehameha’s firm foundation in mission-driven education and have a deep commitment to students, staff and the community of Hawai‘i, Moku o Keawe.”

Veincent will join Kamehameha Hawai‘i on July 1, 2012.