The state Board of Education named has named Esther Kanehailua the Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area superintendent.
Effective July 1, Kanehailua will have oversight of the Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area, which includes Hilo and Waiakea high schools along with their elementary and intermediate feeder schools.
Kanehailua has been serving as deputy complex area superintendent since October for the Hilo-Waiakea and Ka‘u-Keaau-Pahoa complex areas.
According to the state Department of Education, Kanehailua began her education career with the DOE nearly three decades ago and taught at Hilo High before going on to serve as vice principal and principal at various Hawaii Island schools including Hilo High, Hilo Intermediate, Haaheo Elementary and Waiakea High.
She replaces Chad Keone Farias, superintendent of the Ka‘u-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area, who also has served as the Hilo-Waiakea Complex Area superintendent since former CAS Brad Bennett was placed on “department directed leave” Dec. 22, 2017.
Farias will continue his role overseeing the Ka’u-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area and Art Souza remains West Hawaii Complex Area superintendent overseeing the Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area.