By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Schools
Hawaii Catholic School’s leader for close to a decade, Michael Rockers, will retire at the end of this academic year.
The official announcement came on Jan. 8 via an email from the diocese’s human resources director, Dara Perreira, and an email from Rockers to pastors and school administrators.
Rockers said he was retiring so that he and his wife, Lori, could move closer to family on the mainland. The couple have four children and 19 grandchildren. Rockers is originally from Minnesota and previously a long-time resident of Little Rock, Arkansas, and later Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
“I will miss Hawaii and all of you greatly, but after 43 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent, I look forward to retirement and spending time with our children and many grandchildren,” Rockers said in his Jan. 8 message to educators and administrators.
“As superintendent over the last nine years, you have helped me understand the meaning of aloha. Your support and kindness to me won’t ever be forgotten,” he added.
“My prayer is that I have helped the Catholic schools grow in their Catholic identity, collaboration, leadership development, academic excellence and the quality of their pedagogy. You have witnessed Christ to me and it has been a joy to work alongside of so many good and holy people.”
Rockers started in the superintendent job in Aug. 2011 but has 43 total years of experience in Catholic education including as a teacher, principal and superintendent in other dioceses’ Catholic schools.
“His leadership has demonstrated a deep-rooted love for the Catholic faith, decision making with compassion and a great interest in raising children to be disciples of Christ, both in the schools he’s served and in his family,” Perreira said.
“Please pray for the Holy Spirit to care for Mike and his family, his next chapter of retirement, and for finding our next Hawaii Catholic Schools Superintendent.”
Rockers last day is expected to be June 30. Perreira said a search committee will soon be formed to look for a new superintendent.
