Tonata Lolesio, center, attended the National Catholic Educational Association convention in Pittsburgh this month with her husband, Sacred Hearts School groundskeeper Howard Lolesio, and officials with Hawaii Catholic Schools. From left: Deacon Raphael Mendoza, school accounting manager; Howard Lolesio; Tonata Lolesio; Mandy Thronas-Brown, associate superintendent; and Llewellyn Young, superintendent. (Courtesy Tonata Lolesio)
Hawaii Catholic Herald
When a deadly wildfire devastated the historic Maui town of Lahaina last August — heavily damaging Sacred Hearts School — Principal Tonata Lolesio maintained her focus and determination to keep the school community together.
Guided by her faith and leadership experience, Lolesio was able to rally the school’s staff and students as they weathered the loss of their campus and adjusted to a temporary location at Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua. Though life is still far from normal, she remains a steadfast presence for the community.
Lolesio’s work has now earned her national recognition: Earlier this month she was honored by the National Catholic Educational Association with its “Lead. Learn. Proclaim” award, which celebrates excellence and distinguished service in Catholic school education. She was one of 11 educators from across the country chosen to receive the award.
Learning she was one of the recipients of the award left Lolesio feeling “humbled,” she said, “knowing it would not have been possible without the support of my incredible faculty and staff.
“We came together during a time of crisis to help students and families. It is our Catholic calling and mission.”
Lolesio has worked at Sacred Hearts School for more than two decades: She was the second grade teacher for 19 years before being appointed principal in 2020, just as the pandemic was overtaking the globe. She’s also been the religious education coordinator for Maria Lanakila, Sacred Hearts’ mother church, for the past 16 years.:
“These experiences, especially my first two years as principal, have taught me much about entrusting my work and plans to God for his guidance and protection,” she said. “It is ultimately his school, and I am his servant in providing for its needs.”
