Kaiser High School Principal John Sosa has been placed on paid leave as the Department of Education conducts an investigation.

It’s unclear what the investigation entails.

"The department has initiated an internal investigation, and at the appropriate time, we will comment," DOE spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said today in an emailed statement.

Sosa, who has led the Hawaii Kai school since 2008, could not be reached for comment this evening.

He was nominated in May by the Hawaii Association of Secondary School Administrators for the 2014 MetLife/NASSP High School Principal of the Year award. The group cited Sosa’s efforts introducing the prestigious International Baccalaureate program at the school and boosting the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses.