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The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education leads the public education system through strategic direction, transparent policymaking, effective oversight, comprehensive systems, meaningful engagement, and vigorous advocacy.

Announcements

HAWAIʻI STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCES FOUR-YEAR REAPPOINTMENT OF
KEITH T. HAYASHI AS SUPERINTENDENT
Hawaiʻi’s public schools maintain continuity and strong student-focus with new term

HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi — The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education announced today the reappointment of Keith T. Hayashi as Superintendent of Education of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education to a new four-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2029. This decision affirms the Board’s confidence in the continuity of leadership and its commitment to advancing student outcomes, supporting educators, and strengthening Hawai‘i’s communities. A four-year appointment is the maximum allowed under Hawaiʻi law.

Approved at the Board’s Special Meeting on November 5, 2025, the reappointment underscores a commitment to shared vision and student-centered achievement. Superintendent Hayashi, as a local leader who has risen through the ranks, will continue to lead the statewide school system, providing the stability necessary to ensure the trust of teachers, staff, families, and community partners as they work together in service to the mission of Hawai‘i’s public schools.

Superintendent Hayashi leads the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, the nation’s only statewide public school district, serving 164,000 students across 296 campuses on seven islands, with over 40,000 employees, and a budget of $2.8 billion. With more than three decades of service across schools, complex areas, and state leadership roles, the Board believes he is well-positioned to guide Hawai‘i’s public education system toward future success.

Board of Education Chairperson Roy Takumi said, “The Board of Education remains dedicated to transparency and has approved an increase in the superintendent’s salary to ensure continued strong leadership and to remain competitive in attracting and retaining top educational talent. The Board recognizes the importance of investing in the leadership that drives student success.”

Superintendent Hayashi’s new contract includes a results-based structure that ties future salary adjustments to measurable progress on student achievement and other Board-approved goals. The contract reflects a modernization of the compensation structure to ensure equity with similar state and national education systems and to maintain accountability through performance-linked evaluations. Under the new contract, Superintendent Hayashi will receive a base annual salary of $294,674, aligning with market standards for superintendents of similarly-sized districts across the country. 

In its evaluation of Superintendent Hayashi’s performance for the 2024–2025 school year, the Board granted him a cumulative satisfactory rating for meeting the Board’s stated expectations and goals, with several areas rated as exceeding expectations.

“I appreciate the Board’s continued confidence and the opportunity to keep serving our students, families, and public school communities,” Superintendent Hayashi said. “We’ve made important progress in recent years—academically, operationally, and in how we support schools—and I’m committed to building on that momentum. The goal remains clear: to ensure every student in Hawai‘i graduates ready to thrive, rooted in local values and prepared for a changing world.”

About the Hawai‘i State Board of Education
The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education was established by the Hawaiʻi State Constitution, which grants the Board the power to formulate statewide educational policy. The nine-member appointed Board appoints the executive officers of the public school system and public library system, and the members of the State Public Charter School Commission.

About the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education is the nation’s only statewide public school district, serving 164,000 students, their families and communities across 296 schools on seven islands. With a spirit of neʻepapa — meaning to come together as one, united in purpose — our public schools are dedicated to fostering graduates who are both globally competitive and locally committed. We strive to inspire learning, innovation, and a collective dedication to Hawaiʻi’s future.

Media Resources

• Click here for high-resolution photos of Board Chairperson Roy Takumi and Superintendent Keith T. Hayashi.

• Click here for materials from the Board’s November 5, 2025, Special Meeting.

• Click here for Superintendent Hayashi’s full biography.

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UPCOMING MEETING INFORMATION 

Please visit our Agendas page for information on upcoming meetings. Meeting agendas are posted six days before each meeting. To submit written testimony, and/or sign up to testify either in person or virtually, visit our Submit Testimony page.

In order to comply with Act 169, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, testimony will now be distributed to Board members and made available to the public three business days before each meeting. Written testimony received after this point but before the start of the meeting will also be made available via the meeting agenda posted to the Board’s website before the meeting; written testimony received after the start of the meeting, up to 24 hours after the meeting, will be processed as late testimony and will be posted after the meeting.