Compiled by Anna Weaver and Mona Ishihara
Upper school principal, Sacred Hearts Academy, Kaimuki, Oahu
Carol Chong
Carol Chong was born and raised in Kalihi and attended St. John the Baptist School and Sacred Hearts Academy. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Hawaii-Manoa and a master’s degree in education leadership from Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Chong started her career as an English teacher at Sacred Hearts Academy for nine years followed by four years as assistant principal at Holy Family Catholic Academy. She was the principal of St. John the Baptist for another four years before taking the role of upper school principal at her alma mater this year.
She and her husband Victor have three sons: Guile, Gunnar and Gambit.
“Sacred Hearts Academy has always been a special place for me as a student, faculty member and an alumna,” Chong told the Herald. “I am blessed and honored to use my Catholic school leadership and education and years of experience to continue the Sisters’ legacy of educating young women to make a difference.”
Principal, Sacred Hearts School, Lahaina, Maui
Tonata Lolesio
Tonata Lolesio, a longtime teacher at Sacred Hearts School on Maui, is now its new principal. She replaces Miguel Solis, who is becoming Maui Preparatory’s head of school. Lolesio has taught second grade at the school for 18 years and served as religious education coordinator at the school’s parent parish, Maria Lanakila, for close to a decade.
Lolesio’s family immigrated from Tonga to West Maui in 1982, when she was 5 years old. She graduated from Lahainaluna High School in 1994. Lolesio earned an associate’s degree from Maui Community College, a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a speech minor from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Phoenix, Hawaii campus.
“That classroom is like my home,” Lolesio said in a press release about her second-grade room. “It is going to be bittersweet for me when it is time to take my things out for the new teacher.”
“I am ready, though, to move into my new office and take on my new responsibilities,” she added. “It is more than a job for me. It is a calling.”
Principal, St. Catherine School, Kapaa, Kauai
MaryAnn Bode
Kauai native MaryAnn Bode is the new principal of St. Catherine School, replacing David Adams. She is a graduate of St. Catherine and longtime parishioner.
Bode served 28 years in the Hawaii state Department of Education as a teacher and administrator. She retired from a principal role in 2007.
“I have agreed to come out of retirement to take the helm and steer our parish school towards a more calming sea amiss a very different time in the lives of our school children,” Bode told the Herald. “As I charter these new churning waters in my life, I look forward to working with the staff, parents and parishioners of St. Catherine’s Parish and school during this re-opening of school for 2020-2021.”
“I am devoted to Our Precious Lady through the daily rosary as well as to the novena of the Divine Mercy,” she said. “Everything in my life comes from God and I trust in Him daily.”
Principal, St. Elizabeth School, Aiea, Oahu
Dominican Sister Olive Fuentes
Dominican Sister Olive Fuentes is the new principal of St. Elizabeth School in Aiea. She was born and raised in Tinaytayan, Dumarao, Capiz, Philippines, and wanted to become a religious sister from a young age. She joined the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines in 1993 and made her final vows in 2004.
She received her undergraduate degree from Dominican College and a master’s degree in education from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Sister Olive was a preschool teacher in the Philippines for five years before coming to Hawaii. She served as a preschool teacher at Holy Rosary in Waipahu for six years and then as its director for three years. She also spent three years as the preschool director at St. Elizabeth School.
“I am honored at the trust and the opportunity given to me to share my blessings and to grow in our ministry at St. Elizabeth School, parish and community,” Sister Olive said.
Administrator, Chaminade University Montessori Lab School
Kristy Sakai
Kristy Sakai is the new administrator at the Chaminade University Montessori Lab School, recently renamed from the L. Robert Allen Montessori Lab School.
Sakai graduated from Punahou School and received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Chaminade University of Honolulu, along with an ages 3-6 Montessori certification.
She has spent most of her career in Montessori schools, as a classroom assistant, lead teacher, administrator, and parent of Montessori students. She most recently worked for a non-profit organization on health and wellness initiatives for preschool-aged children and their families.
“This gave me the opportunity to see how important it is to advocate for early childhood programs, create a strong network of early childhood educators to support each other and the families they serve,” Sakai said. “I’m excited to be at Chaminade University’s Lab School, to be able to support new teachers and find ways to leverage our school as a resource for the community.
“Montessori has taught me to appreciate the uniqueness of each individual and the potential that each child has. It also taught me how interconnected we all are with Hawaii and each other.”
Interim principal, St. Joseph School, Hilo, Hawaii
Susan Wehrsig
Susan Wehrsig succeeds Michael Paekukui who served as principal this past school year. Hilo-native Wehrsig is a St. Joseph Class of 1973 graduate and served as an educator and administrator at the school for 39 years, her last positions being vice principal, academy dean, language arts chair, and history and English teacher.
Wehrsig received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and a master’s in secondary curriculum from Heritage College.
“This was to be my first year in retirement,” Wehrsig told the Herald. “However, things change and it is not always our plan but the Lord’s.”
“Meanwhile this is a new challenge and I am constantly learning about my role,” she added. “The educational path along the way is not only for our students, but also for us as adults to lead by example and be humble in our journey.”
Interim president, Maryknoll School, Honolulu
Shana Tong
Shana Tong, the vice president of academic affairs, is stepping in to serve as the interim head of school while a search is done to replace departing president Perry Martin. Tong was Maryknoll’s lower school principal before becoming its first academic affairs vice president for the 2016-17 school year.
“Being the interim president is both challenging and exciting,” Tong told the Herald. “Working with Father EJ Resinto has truly been a blessing. Blending a strong academic program with faith, mission, and a community of trust and respect leads us in educating children in the spirit of Christ.”
Tong went to Maryknoll from kindergarten through 12th grade and graduated in 1983. She has a bachelor’s degree in speech and communications from the University of Hawaii-Manoa, a master’s degree in educational administration from Gonzaga University, and a master’s degree in school leadership from Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Tong has worked at Maryknoll for 29 years, as a vice principal and principal, elementary school science teacher, second-grade teacher, and middle school language arts, religion, Japanese and speech teacher. She also previously taught at Sacred Hearts Academy in Honolulu and Sacred Heart School in Lahaina.
Interim head of school, Damien Memorial School, Kalihi, Oahu
Kyle Atabay
Kyle Atabay, Damien Memorial School’s president for the 2019-2020 school year, will act as interim head of school for the next year. He replaces Christian Brother Brian Walsh. Atabay is a 1984 Damien graduate.
He received a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences and a master’s in counseling psychology, both from Chaminade University of Honolulu. He earned a doctorate in professional educational practice from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Atabay also studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and earned professional certificates from Hawaii Pacific University in the fields of organizational change management, global leadership and sustainable development, and national and community change and development.
Before working at Damien, Atabay worked at Kamehameha Schools for 17 years, including as vice principal of the Kapalama Middle School. Before that, Atabay headed the Kapolei Middle School counseling department. He also served as a counselor and grade level chairman at the Hawaiian language immersion school, Ke Kula Kaiapuni O Anuenue.
Early in his career, Atabay was a case manager at the Institute for Human Services and an admissions counselor at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Acting associate superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools
Betsey Gunderson
Betsey Gunderson, who retired from the role of associate superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools in 2019, is back in the same position on an interim basis. Llewellyn Young, who replaced her, is acting superintendent while a job search for a permanent superintendent is done in the next year.
Gunderson previously worked at St. Anthony Jr.-Sr. High School in Wailuku, Maui, Maryknoll School and Sacred Hearts Academy as a teacher, principal, vice principal, department chair, division coordinator and head of school.
