Hawaii Catholic Herald / Hawaii Catholic Schools
Two parochial schools serving the youngest learners have changed their classroom setup:
- Mary, Star of the Sea Early Learning Center is now part of Mary, Star of the Sea School’s overall kindergarten-eighth grade school.
- St. Anthony Preschool, Wailuku, has also joined its corresponding K-8 program at St. Anthony School.
Meanwhile, Five Catholic campuses in the Diocese of Honolulu welcome new administrators starting this academic year. All are veteran educators with experience at both religious and secular institutions who bring strong records of achievement to their roles.
Kehau Bugado (far left)
Middle school program manager, Sacred Hearts Academy (Kaimuki)
Bugado is a Kaneohe native who attended Sacred Hearts Academy for 13 years. She then attended Chaminade University of Honolulu, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.
Her teaching journey continued at St. Ann’s Model Schools and Saint Francis School before landing back “home” at Sacred Hearts Academy. Bugado’s journey now enters a leadership phase as she becomes the school’s middle school program manager.
“As the middle school program manager, I will uplift and instill in our middle school students the mission and values that Sacred Hearts Academy was founded on 117 years ago by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,” Bugado said. “Being in the Catholic school system for the last 20 years has shown me what a profound impact we can make on people through our faith and example as I embark on this new journey. My hope is to continue leading as Jesus did, a servant leader.”
Bernadine “Bernie” Camuso (second from left)
Interim principal, St. Anthony School (Kailua)
Education has always been an important part of Bernadine “Bernie” Camuso’s life. The New York native, daughter in a U.S. Coast Guard family and Navy spouse has lived and worked in the U.S. and overseas, teaching her the importance of adaptability, resilience and creating a sense of community wherever life leads.
She earned a master’s degree in teaching from Fordham University, completed a professional diploma in administration and supervision at St. John’s University and is pursuing a doctor of education in organizational leadership for adaption and change at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Camuso’s teaching experience includes many years with the Department of Defense Education Activity; teaching at schools in Italy, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia; and teaching at St. Anthony School in Kalihi.
Camuso said it is a tremendous blessing to serve as principal of St. Anthony School. Her goal is to live out the school’s mission to nurture, inspire and enrich every student while strengthening its Catholic identity and fostering a culture guided by faith.
Tiare Lacar (center)
Director, St. Michael Early Learning Center (Waialua)
Lacar has been appointed director of St. Michael Early Learning Center after serving as lead teacher for the past four years.
“I have had the privilege of learning and growing under the leadership of Kainoa Fukumoto and Nicolle Baron, whose mentorship has helped shape my leadership and commitment to Catholic education,” she said.
Before St. Michael, Lacar spent 15 years as a lead teacher at First Baptist Preschool of Haleiwa, where she developed a strong foundation in creating nurturing, play-based learning environments for young children.
Lacar, who was born on Oahu and raised on Hawaii island, attended Honolulu Community College, earning a child development associate certification in early childhood education.
“I am honored to serve as the director of St. Michael School Early Learning Center. Catholic education allows us to nurture the whole child academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually,” she said.
Cheryl Larrua (second from right)
Principal, St. John Vianney School (Kailua)
Larrua brings more than two decades of diverse educational leadership to St. John Vianney School.
Most recently, she served as an education trainer and manager for PATCH Hawaii, where she designed and led professional development for educators. Her impressive career also includes serving as an adjunct professor at Chaminade University of Honolulu for nearly a decade, where she mentored and trained the next generation of teachers in early childhood education, creative arts and curriculum development.
Larrua earned her bachelor of science degree, master’s degree and doctorate at Chaminade, focusing on early childhood education and educational leadership.
Her unique blend of operational expertise, dedication to teacher mentorship, and passion for holistic, community-minded education will enrich St. John Vianney School’s culture and support students’ growth.
Ayako Sahara (right)
Director, Chaminade University Montessori Laboratory School (Honolulu)
Sahara was born and raised in Japan and spent many years living in Hawaii, where she developed a deep appreciation for both Japanese and Hawaiian cultures. She is a bilingual educator and mother whose multicultural experiences have shaped her educational philosophy.
Sahara worked in early childhood and Montessori education for over two decades in both Hawaii and Japan before coming to Chaminade University Montessori Lab School.
She studied Montessori education at Chaminade University of Honolulu and is currently pursuing a master of education degree at Chaminade with a focus on Montessori peace education.
Sahara calls it an honor and a privilege to serve as director of the Montessori Laboratory School.