KOLOA — The Governing Board of Alakai O Kauai announced on Friday afternoon that it has chosen Paul Zina the new director for Alakai O Kauai starting in the 2025-26 school year.
“Our dedicated and selfless volunteers who serve faithfully on the Alakai O Kauai Board of Directors have been diligently searching for a new director for well over one year now,” said DJ Adams, who will be retiring as the Alakai director when Zina assumes his post on July 1. “They can share this announcement with our learning community.”
“Coach DJ,” as Adams likes to be called, who served a term as principal for the Saint Catherine School before taking over at Alakai O Kauai, said the board was looking for three things of the new director.
Firstly, a person on-island who understood the culture of the school and the community; secondly, a person who had extensive experience as an educator and administrator; and finally, a person who could elevate Alakai to new heights, especially around its burgeoning middle school program.
The board said after careful consideration, Zina was the “perfect fit” for the director’s position.
“With more than 24 years of experience as an educator, vice principal, principal and Kauai Complex Area superintendent, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to Alakai,” the board said in a letter posted to the Alakai Charter. “Paul’s leadership will build upon the strong foundation previous directors have laid, while also bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to guide our school forward. He is passionate about fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where every student can thrive. As parents, we are excited about the future of our children’s education under his leadership.”
The board said the official turnover from Adams to Zina will be on July 1, but the board will be organizing opportunities to allow the public to meet him and learn more about his vision for Alakai.
“Please accept my great gratitude for your support as five years ago to the month, it was my great fortune in the journey of life to join Alakai O Kauai Charter School as director,” Adams said in the piece written to the Alakai Charter. “Those were challenging times in the history of the school as the State of Hawaii Charter Commission had just issued a Notice of Concern about closing the school due to financial instability and dwindling enrollment.”
“Fast forward five years later to today and we are now recognized as the fastest improving public school in the state of Hawaii with strong financial health, outstanding academic outcomes, and lengthy waiting lists to get into our school,” Adams wrote.
“Mahalo nui kakou for the opportunity to serve as your director and your unconditional support to make this amazing transformation together in the best interest of our learners,” he continued. “It was a great honor and privilege to work in this capacity and make significant educational changes on Kauai and perhaps even in the state of Hawaii.”
Adams said his wife Pamela is semi-retired, and they welcomed their first moopuna into the world last year.
“The time has come for my semi-retirement and hand the torch to a new director for our school,” Adams said. “Together, as a strong and supportive ohana, we will continue to empower our students to become lifelong learners and contributing members of our community.”
