Kamehameha Schools named Aaron “Kilohana” Hirano regional director for East Hawaii Island.
Kamehameha Schools named Aaron “Kilohana” Hirano regional director for East Hawaii Island.
The new position is part of the Community Engagement and Resources Group, a recent addition to the KS organizational structure. CE&R works to connect Kamehameha’s educational services and its land stewardship within the communities it supports and elevates.
Hirano leads the alignment and integration of KS’ educational support service activities for East Hawaii. As regional director, his responsibilities include facilitating regionwide educational planning, strategy and implementation among KS divisions, community partners and collaborators.
“Kilohana brings a firm foundation in Hawaiian culture paired with excellent work ethics and skills as an educator to this important position,” said Alapaki Nahale-a, senior director of regional strategies.
With close to 20 years of educator experience, Hirano has devoted his life to educating East Hawaii youth. For the past 12 years, Hirano worked at KS-Hawaii middle school campus as a Hawaiian language and culture teacher, and as program manager for public education support. Before joining KS, Hirano spent eight years as a teacher at Keaukaha Elementary and Ka ‘Umeke Ka‘eo Public Charter schools.
“It’s an exciting time here at KS, with new opportunities to bridge our educational services with our partners and the communities we live in,” Hirano said. “I look forward to serving Kamehameha Schools in our efforts to create a greater impact in East Hawaii.”
Born and raised in Hilo, Hirano is a 1994 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and has a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies from Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.