Hawaii State Department of Education Leadership Team

Kathryn S. Matayoshi, Superintendent

Kathryn Matayoshi was appointed by the Hawaii State Board of Education as superintendent of the Hawaii State Department of Education effective September 13, 2010. She served as acting and interim superintendent (January 8, 2010 - September 12, 2010) prior to her appointment. Matayoshi, an attorney and former state director, was appointed as deputy superintendent in July 2009.

Her expertise in public policy and strategic planning has been integral to transforming and streamlining the Department's systems and operations.

Matayoshi comes to the DOE following a successful career in the private, government, and nonprofit sectors. She served as executive director, Hawaii Business Roundtable (2007-2009); president and chief executive officer, Community Links Hawaii (2006-2007); strategic planning consultant (2005-2007); chief of staff, City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply (2002-2005); and director, state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (1995-2002). She also held positions at Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. (1988-1995), Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel (1983-1988), and served as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Samuel P. King (1982-1983).

She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Aloha United Way and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, and is a charter member of the Hawaii P-20 Council.

Matayoshi, a Hilo High alumna, holds a juris doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and a bachelor's degree from Carleton College.

Ronn Nozoe, Deputy Superintendent

Ronn Nozoe’s appointment to serve as deputy superintendent of the Hawaii State Department of Education was effective December 9, 2010.

From January to November 2010, he served as Interim Deputy Superintendent. He joined Hawaii’s public school system in 1995 as a language arts and social studies teacher at King Intermediate. In 2000, he moved from the classroom to school administration, serving as vice principal of Mokapu Elementary. In 2002, he was named principal of Keolu Elementary.

Nozoe was appointed complex area superintendent for the Farrington and Kaiser complex area in 2005. In 2008, the complex area was expanded to include the Kalani complex.

As the complex area superintendent for the Farrington, Kaiser and Kalani complexes, he was responsible for 27 schools: three high schools, four middle schools,18 elementary schools, Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Farrington Community School for Adults.

Under Nozoe’s leadership, 20 complex schools made adequate yearly progress (AYP) and/or significant gains in reading and math on the Hawaii State Assessment.

During the 2008-09 school year, Nozoe was charged with appointing a task force to make a recommendation to the superintendent of education regarding the consolidation of Wailupe Valley and Aina Haina elementary schools. The task force’s recommendation resulted in the state Board of Education’s decision to close Wailupe Valley Elementary and merge the school with nearby Aina Haina Elementary, effective July 1, 2009.

Nozoe has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s of education, both from the University of Hawaii.

Joyce Bellino, Assistant Superintendent

Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support

Prior to her March 2011 appointment as assistant superintendent for the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Support, Joyce Bellino served as complex area superintendent overseeing Windward Oahu’s Kailua/Kalaheo complex schools from 2009 to 2010.

In that post, she established a multi-year professional development plan designed to build systemic and sustainable skill sets in instructional leaders and teachers. She also repurposed complex area staff work to provide targeted support to schools.

She brings a wealth of classroom and school- and district-level administrative experience to the DOE: Bellino was a classroom teacher at Kualapuu Elementary on Molokai for seven years and served three years as vice principal of Molokai High and Intermediate, as well as eight years as principal of Kaunakakai Elementary. In 2006, Bellino was appointed principal of Kapunahala Elementary in Kaneohe.

At the district and department level, Bellino served as deputy superintendent for the Maui District in 2001, leading its schools into compliance with the Felix Consent Decree. She also gained valuable experience as a personnel specialist in the DOE’s Office of Human Resources from 2002 to 2005.

Bellino earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Oregon State University and her master’s in educational administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Amy Kunz, Assistant Superintendent & Chief Financial Officer

Office of Fiscal Services

Amy Kunz joined the Hawaii State Department of Education as its Chief Financial Officer in September 2011. She has extensive experience in operations, strategic financial planning and reporting, job costing, project and facility management.

Kunz came to the DOE from Gannett, Co. Inc., Honolulu, where she was responsible for special projects since May 2010.  She was previously the controller and director of budget and analyses for The Honolulu Advertiser. Kunz has also served as an internal auditor, accounting supervisor, and business manager in newspapers in Nevada and Nebraska.

Kunz has a bachelor's degree in comprehensive business administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Her volunteer experiences include serving as parent representative of Aikahi Elementary School’s Student Community Council, and treasurer of Aikahi’s Parent, Teacher, Student Association.

Douglas K. Murata, Assistant Superintendent

Office of Human Resources

Douglas K. Murata, a veteran human resources executive specializing in strategic and restructuring management in Hawaii, was appointed assistant superintendent for the Hawaii State Department of Education Office of Human Resources on June 21, 2010.

Murata brings to the DOE an established record of creating system transformation for over 30 years, having led organizations such as The Queen’s Health Systems and Pacific Guardian Life toward improved performance, as well as resource, economic, and organizational sustainability. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of Royal State National and Mutual Benefit Trust at Royal State Insurance, where he was in charge of a turnaround plan that aligned resources and capacity with a new strategic vision.

He has been an adjunct instructor at the Japanese American Institute for Management Science, a lecturer at the University of Hawaii College of Continuing Education and Kapiolani Community College, in addition to serving on the board of directors of the Better Business Bureau, and Interisland Federal Credit Union.

Murata earned a master’s in business administration, and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Hawaii.

David Wu, Assistant Superintendent & Chief Information Officer

Office of Information Technology Services

David Wu, who brings more than 20 years of technology expertise to the state Department of Education, was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Information Technology Services and the department’s chief information officer in January 2010. He was reappointed in December 2010.

Prior to his DOE appointment, Wu was senior director of systems development at Hawaiian Airlines.  In that capacity, he was responsible for all aspects of software application development and production support.  He was also responsible for the development, management and support of HawaiianAir.com, which was the largest commercial implementation of a .NET-based Microsoft SharePoint (MOSS) site in the world. This site continues to generate two-thirds of the company’s overall revenue, or over $600 million annually.

Before joining Hawaiian Airlines, much of Wu’s technology expertise was garnered in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he held management positions in leading technology firms such as IBM, Alphablox Corporation, Callidus Software, Oracle Corporation and others. His areas of specialization include analytics, databases, data warehousing, RFID technology and enterprise applications.

Wu holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of California at Berkeley. In addition to his fluency in the language of technology, he speaks Cantonese and is proficient in Mandarin. 

Randolph (Randy) Moore, Senior Assistant Superintendent

Assistant Superintendent, Office of School Facilities and Support Services

Randolph Moore has led the Office of School Facilities and Supported Services (formerly known as the Office of Business Services) since February 2006.  He was reappointed in December 2010.

Moore served as the DOE's project manager for the implementation of Act 51: The Reinventing Education Act of 2004. He came to the DOE following a successful career in the private sector, where he served as president, Kaneohe Ranch (1989-2001); executive vice president, Harold K. L. Castle Foundation (1989-2001); and president and director, Molokai Ranch (1986-89). He also held several positions at Castle & Cooke and Oceanic Properties (1966-1986) and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia (1963-1965).

Moore originally joined the DOE in 2001 as a teacher, leaving the boardroom for the classroom to teach math at Central Middle. In October 2004, former Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto invited Moore to commit his multiple talents to coordinating the department’s transformation under Act 51.

Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Swathmore College and a master’s in business administration from Stanford University.  He also completed Chaminade University’s post-baccalaureate teacher training program.

Stephen Schatz, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Strategic Reform

Stephen Schatz leads the Hawaii State Department of Education’s federal Race to the Top grant effort as the assistant superintendent for strategic reform.

Schatz has responsibility over the $75 million, four-year federal grant designed to accelerate education reforms aimed at improving teacher quality, closing the achievement gap and increasing student performance.

From 1994 to 2002, Stephen Schatz served inner city youth in California’s Compton Unified School District as a teacher, vice principal, and principal in various area elementary schools. 

He joined the Hawaii public school system at the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year as a vice principal at Waialua High and Intermediate. In 2004, he headed for Pohakea Elementary in Leeward Oahu. Under his instructional leadership, reading and math test scores increased for four consecutive years. Schatz served as Pohakea’s principal until his appointment as complex area superintendent for Honolulu District in February 2009. He became the assistant superintendent for strategic reform in July 2011.

Schatz has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a master's degree in education administration from California State University Dominguez Hills. 


Complex Areas

Honolulu District

Ann Mahi, Acting Complex Area Superintendent - Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt

Ann Mahi began her career with the Hawaii State Department of Education in the classroom, teaching from 1976 to 1990 at Waianae, Aiea, Radford, Kahuku, and Radford high schools. 

She has held numerous school and state leadership positions, including vice principal at Heeia Elementary (1991-93), Kailua Elementary principal (1994-97), and Kalaheo Complex School Renewal Specialist (1997-2000). Mahi has also served as the instructional services educational director (2000-02), and the school and community leadership director (2002-07) in the Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support. 

Mahi was Roosevelt High’s principal from 2007 to 2011. She was appointed acting complex area superintendent for Kaimuki/McKinley/Roosevelt complex in the summer of 2011.

Calvin Nomiyama, Complex Area Superintendent - Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani

From 1979 to 1993, Calvin Nomiyama taught at various schools on Oahu and Maui, and served as Maui District’s physical education resource teacher (1980-1982). 

Nomiyama entered administration as vice principal at Blanche Pope Elementary (1993-1994), Kailua Intermediate (1994-1996), Hahaione Elementary (1996-1998), and Kalakaua Middle (1998-2001). He served as principal of Kalihi Uka elementary (2001-2005), Puuhale Elementary (2006-2009), and Kalakaua Middle (2009-2010).

Nomiyama has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in elementary curriculum and instruction from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Superintendent Matayoshi announced the appointment of Mr. Calvin Nomiyama as the Complex Area Superintendent for the Honolulu District in May 2011.


Central Oahu District

Patricia Ann Park, Complex Area Superintendent – Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua

Patricia Ann Park was appointed complex area superintendent in January 2005.  From February 1999 to December 2004, she served as principal at Aliamanu Middle. She also served as vice principal at Mililani Middle (1998-99) and Moanalua High (1993-97).

She joined the DOE as a teacher of English as a Second Language in the Windward Community School for Adults (1982-85), taught at Castle High (1985-89), and served as a Windward District resource teacher (1989-93).

She was named Hawaii’s Middle School Principal of the Year in 2003.

Park earned a bachelor’s degree and two master degrees (elementary education and educational administration) from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Teri Ushijima, Ed.D., Complex Area Superintendent – Aiea-Moanalua-Radford 

Prior to her leadership appointment in September 2007, Dr. Teri Ushijima was principal of Mokulele Elementary (2005-07), and was Hawaii’s recipient of the 2006 National Milken Educator Award. She was vice principal at Moanalua High (2000-2005), where she also served as summer school director (2001). Dr. Ushijima taught at Mililani Mauka Elementary (1996-2000), Mokulele Elementary (1990-96), Leihoku Elementary (1988-90), and Honowai Elementary (1987-1988).

She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master of education degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and her doctor of education degree from the University of Southern California.


Leeward Oahu District

Rodney Luke, Complex Area Superintendent – Pearl City-Waipahu 

Luke began his education career as a tutor and special program coordinator. In 1990, he was hired as a student teacher at Aliamanu Elementary. From 1991 to 1999, he taught at UH Laboratory, Iroquois Point, Kaleiopuu, and Holomua elementary schools.

He transitioned to Waipahu Intermediate (2000-2002), left the school to implement various initiatives as a district resource teacher in Leeward Oahu (2002-2003), and later shifted roles to serve as Kapolei Elementary's curriculum coordinator (2003-2005). He entered school administration in 2005 and served as vice principal at Kapolei Elementary (2005) and Holomua Elementary (2005-2009). Stevenson Middle welcomed Luke as its principal in 2009.

CAS Luke has a bachelor's degree and master of education degrees in education administration and teacher education curriculum studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His appointment to complex area superintendent was effective April 1, 2012.

Randall Miura, Acting Complex Area Superintendent – Nanakuli-Waianae 

Randall Miura began his career in education in 1978 as a teacher at Highlands Intermediate School (Pearl City, Oahu) before moving to Waipahu High School where he taught for 13 years and served as vice principal for five months.

Miura served as the cohort intern vice principal at Kaleiopuu Elementary School (Waipahu, Oahu) for one year and then as vice principal of Kamaile Elementary School (Waianae, Oahu) for three years. Miura has served as Leihoku Elementary School principal since 1994, and as acting Complex Area Superintendent since January 2012.

Annette Nishikawa, Acting Complex Area Superintendent – Campbell-Kapolei 

Annette Nishikawa began her career with the DOE in 1969 as a classroom teacher at Kealakehe Elementary and Intermediate.  In 1989, she joined the administration at Waianae Intermediate as a vice principal.  She served as principal of Waianae Intermediate (1995-97) and Kapolei Middle (1998-2010) schools.

Nishikawa was recognized as the 2002 Hawaii State Middle Level Principal of the Year.

She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a State of Hawaii School Administrator Certificate.  Nishikawa has served as acting complex area superintendent since July 2010.


Windward Oahu District

Lea Albert, Complex Area Superintendent – Castle-Kahuku

Lea Albert led the Windward Oahu schools as district superintendent for two years prior to her appointment as complex area superintendent in January 2002.

From 1968 to 1999, she served as principal of Kahuku High and Elementary/Kahuku High and Intermediate (1987-99), Sunset Beach Elementary principal (1985-87), vice principal at Kahuku High and Elementary, and taught at Waialua High and Intermediate (1968-1982).

She was Hawaii’s recipient of the 1990 National Milken Educator Award.

Albert has a bachelor’s degree from California State University at San Diego and a master's degree from University of Hawaii at Manoa. 

C. Suzanne Mulcahy, Complex Area Superintendent – Kailua-Kalaheo

C. Suzanne Mulcahy was appointed as the new leader for the Kailua/Kalaheo complex area schools in March 2010.  Mulcahy joined the Hawaii public school system in 1997 as a special education teacher at Pearl City Elementary. She entered school administration in 2001 and served as a vice principal at Castle High and principal of Kailua Intermediate for six years before being asked to fill in as acting complex area superintendent in October 2010.

Mulcahy is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational administration at the University of Hawaii. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, and her master’s degree in educational administration at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. 

Hawaii District

Valerie Takata, Complex Area Superintendent – Hilo-Laupahoehoe-Waiakea

Prior to her appointment as complex area superintendent in February 2002, Valerie Takata served as Hawaii district superintendent (2001-02) and deputy district superintendent (1998-2001).

From 1974 to 1998, Takata was the principal of Keonepoko Elementary (1991-98), vice principal at Honokaa Elementary & High and Pahoa High, and district resource teacher for language arts. She taught secondary English and reading on Hawaii and Oahu.  While at Keonepoko Elementary, Takata was selected as Hawaii’s National Distinguished Principal.

Takata earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Mary Correa, Complex Area Superintendent – Kau-Keaau-Pahoa

Mary Correa has served as complex area superintendent since July 2004.  She served as the school renewal specialist for the Kau-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area (2002-04).  Prior to moving to the district office, she was principal of Hookena Elementary (1997-2002) and vice principal (1990-96) at the Hilo Community School for Adults, Pahoa High and Intermediate, and Hilo Intermediate schools.

From 1973 to 1990, she was a teacher at  Waiakeawaena Elementary, Laupahoehoe High and Elementary, Waimea Elementary and Intermediate, and Saint Joseph Elementary and Intermediate.

Correa has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  She also completed her coursework in educational administration at the university.

Arthur (Art) Souza, Complex Area Superintendent – Honokaa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena

Art Souza began his career with the DOE in 1989 as a teacher at Honokaa High and Intermediate.  From 1991 to 2005, he served as Honokaa High and Intermediate principal (2003-2005), Waikoloa Elementary principal (1997-2003), Waimea Elementary and Intermediate vice principal (1994-1997), and Honokaa High and Intermediate vice principal (1991-1994).  He was appointed as complex area superintendent in January 2005.

Souza has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in educational administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He also holds a master’s degree in community development from Central Michigan University.


Maui District

Bruce Anderson, Complex Area Superintendent – Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui

Prior to his appointment to complex area superintendent in August 2007, Bruce Anderson served as the school renewal specialist for the King Kekaulike Complex (2002-07). Prior to moving to the district office, he was principal of Makawao Elementary (1994-2002), vice principal of Wailuku Elementary (1991-1994), and an administrative trainee at Baldwin High (1990-91). He was a teacher at Makawao Elementary(1989-90) and Paia Elementary (1982-89).

Anderson has his bachelor’s degree in U.S. history and elementary teaching certificate from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and his master’s degree in educational administration from University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Lindsay Ball, Complex Area Superintendent – Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai

Lindsay Ball moved to Hawaii from Nebraska in 1991 and joined the public school system as a business teacher and wrestling coach at Maui High for the next six years. From 1997 to 2000, he served as the vice principal at Maui High, Lahainaluna High, King Kamehameha III Elementary, and Kihei Elementary schools, and was named principal of King Kamehameha III in 2001.

Ball has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Missouri at Columbia and a master of education degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  He was appointed to the leadership team in August 2008.


Kauai District

William (Bill) Arakaki, Complex Area Superintendent – Kapaa-Kauai-Waimea

William Arakaki joined the Leadership Team in August 2007. Arakaki served as principal of Waimea High (1999-2007). He was vice principal at Kapaa Middle (1996-99), Kapaa High (1993-96), Wilcox Elementary (1992-93, administrative trainee), and Kauai High (1990-92, acting). Arakaki was a teacher at Kauai High’s alternative learning center (1988-90), Waipahu High (1980-88), and Kailua High (1979-80).

He has a bachelor’s degree in education and an education administrative certificate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.