Waimea High School Principal Mahina Anguay, who has linked classroom learning with real-life projects for students, received the $25,000 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award on Thursday.
The award is presented annually by Island Insurance Foundation to a public school principal who is “visionary, community-minded and has an entrepreneurial spirit,” in honor of Tokioka, founder of Island Insurance Co. It was announced at the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation dinner at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Anguay, who has been at Waimea High for just three years, created a STREAM program, adding “arts/humanities” to the well-known science, technology, engineering and math acronym. Students on each pathway create a product or service to benefit the community, working with mentors in the world beyond their campus.
STREAM also supports students whose cognitive function falls well below median, offering work-study programs to fit the needs of each student and partnering business.
“Principal Anguay exemplifies the type of leadership that can transform our public schools into model learning institutions,” said Tyler Tokioka, president of Island Insurance Foundation, in a news release. “By recognizing outstanding principals such as Mahina, it is our hope that her accomplishments will inspire others in public education.”
Anguay received a $10,000 cash award plus $15,000 for a school project of her choice. She intends to use the money to expand the school’s Summer Bridge Program for incoming freshmen and fund on-campus partnerships with Kauai Community College, including a program that allows students to earn up to 12 college credits while still in high school.
The top two semifinalists, Christine Kinau Gardner of Kahala Elementary and Alma Souki of Heeia Elementary in Kaneohe, received $2,000 cash awards. They were among 12 principals nominated for the award, with each receiving $1,000 at a previous ceremony.
Anguay was praised by parents and staff alike. Dan Abadilla, president of the Parent Teacher Student Association at Waimea High, said students are thriving under her leadership and she listens to parents and incorporates their ideas.
“She continues to offer new programs for the students as well as for the teachers, to make teaching and learning more in line with future challenges,” Abadilla said.
Added school counselor Breanna Guillet, “I am excited to see and be part of the change Mahina brings to the Westside community. She has effectively engaged crucial partnerships with local businesses and organizations over the last three years.”
