Three Hawaii Island principals honored

The nonprofit Island Insurance Foundation, leaders from the state Department of Education and public officials statewide gathered Saturday to honor the state’s 15 top public-school principals, each of whom has been nominated for the 19th Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award.

At Saturday’s event, each of the 15 nominees — including three from Hawaii Island — received a $1,000 cash award to celebrate their accomplishments as educational leaders.

The 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award recipient and two semi-finalists will be announced as part of the official program at the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation annual gala on Thursday, April 17.

The winning principal will receive $25,000: $15,000 for a school project and a $10,000 personal award. Two semi-finalists will each receive a $2,000 personal award.

The Big Island principal-nominees for 2025 are:

— Bryan Arbles, Hilo Union Elementary;

— Kasey Eisenhour, Keonepoko Elementary;

— Noreen Kunitomo, Honaunau Elementary.

State Superintendent Keith Hayashi, Island Insurance Foundation Chairman Tyler Tokioka and an array of state and city officials attended Saturday’s celebration.

“A school is only as great as its leader — and these 15 principals have created learning environments that are inspiring teachers, staff and students to strive to their highest,” Tokioka said in a press release.

The award is named for the late Masayuki Tokioka, founder of Island Insurance Company and a proud graduate of Hawaii public schools. The Island Insurance Foundation underwrites the award in his honor.

The Island Insurance Foundation is the charitable arm of Island Insurance, Hawaii’s only locally owned and managed property and casualty insurance carrier.

For more information, visit www.islandinsurance.com.