Leadership/ Governance
Kamaile Academy’s Leadership and Governance
Aloha nō kākou,
At Ho’okāko’o, we believe that every student has the right to achieve his or her highest potential. That path begins with:
- Principals who can develop a vision for change and lead their schools to achieve it
- Highly capable and competitively compensated teachers working in a focused learning community
- An aligned curriculum, integrated from pre-school through graduation in collaboration with other educational providers
- Engaged parents and communities
With its P-20 vision and commitment to extended learning time, Kamaile Academy has taken solid first steps toward transforming learning for our haumāna. We are pleased to introduce the leadership team that will build on that foundation by fostering a collaborative environment and creating integrated curriculum with defined and measurable outcomes for our learners.
Paul Kepka, Principal
As a Vice Principal at Kamaile Academy for eight years, Paul has demonstrated an impressive commitment to our haumāna and their learning. He has been with the school since 2004, serving first as a teacher, then as Dean of Students before becoming an administrator.
Kanoe Cadina, Vice Principal Grades PK-2
He ulu i ka nopu liliko hulili a ka lā. In this thriving community, Kumu Kanoe is committed to growing alongside our kumu and keiki to be the best we can be to uplift our lāhui. Jillian Levy, Vice Principal Grades 3-5
Jillian comes to Kamaile with a decade of experience teaching and leading in public schools in Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and here in Hawaiʻi. Her expertise is in upper elementary and middle school humanities (Reading, Writing, and Social Studies) and restorative justice practices.
Chase Cabana, Vice Principal Grades 6-8
Kumu Cabana joined the administration team in January 2022 after serving our Kamaile Academy ʻohana in a number of different roles over the last decade. A proud kanaka maoli, he hopes to grow our secondary program into one whose graduates are grounded in aloha ʻāina, embody the strength of ʻohana, and are mākaukau to navigate any obstacles they may face on their own future paths of college, career, and community. Wahi a kūpuna, ola Waiʻanae i ka makani Kaiāulu.
Melissa Shimanuku, Vice Principal Grades 9-12
Dr. Jamie Cruz, Learning Director
A native of Oʻahu, Jamie has worked at Kamaile in a variety of roles since 2011. She has a wide range of educational experiences spanning grades PreK-12. Her expertise is in secondary education and Hawaiian Culture Based Education.
Momi Robins-Makaila, Special Education Vice Principal