LIHUE — Kapaa Middle School Principal Nathan Aiwohi is on administrative leave. “The Department of Education is currently investigating an alleged complaint against Principal Aiwohi, who has been on leave since April 17,” Bill Arakaki, the Kauai Complex Area Superintendent,
LIHUE — Kapaa Middle School Principal Nathan Aiwohi is on administrative leave.
“The Department of Education is currently investigating an alleged complaint against Principal Aiwohi, who has been on leave since April 17,” Bill Arakaki, the Kauai Complex Area Superintendent, wrote in an email.
Both Arakaki and DOE communications officer Donalyn Dela Cruz declined to comment on the nature of the complaint or when the investigation will be complete.
Vice Principal Dominic Beralas is serving as interim principal. Beverly Pang continues her role as acting vice principal, Arakaki said.
Aiwohi was placed on leave shortly after an April 6 online petition was launched calling for his removal as principal.
The petition claims that since Aiwohi became principal at the middle school, there has been a decrease in school enrollment; a Parent Teacher Student Association is no longer in existence; the retention of experienced teachers has decreased; math scores are below the No Child Left Behind targets; and the school has more complaints being investigated than all other public schools combined during the 2012–13 school year.
Three days later, an online petition in support of Aiwohi was created.
This petition rebuts the other’s claims, stating there is a decrease in enrollment islandwide; the PTSA disbanded after being “led by or attacked by a group of disgruntled parents”; the school has achieved the greatest academic achievement in the school’s history; and Aiwohi is the target of anonymous accusers.
As of Thursday, the online petition asking for Aiwohi’s removal had 292 signatures, while the online petition in support of Aiwohi had 327.
Aiwohi served as a teacher at KMS from 1997 to 1999, and has acted as principal since 2007.
Arakaki said Kapaa Middle School earned the Continuous Improvement Award for the Distinguished Schools Program in 2011–12 and 2012–13. To achieve this, schools must show 10 percent or more growth in reading and math during a five-year span. He also said enrollment at KMS has dropped slightly, from 633 in the 2011–12 school year, to 632 this year.
Aiwohi could not be reached for comment.
• Andrea Frainier, managing editor, can be reached at 245-0427 or afrainier@thegardenisland.com.
