Punahou athletic director Jeaney Garcia has stepped down after holding the spot since 2009.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right decision,” Garcia said. “Punahou needs someone who can devote a lot of time to the job, and I couldn’t give them the time they deserve. It is all on good terms.”

Garcia has been on personal leave since the middle of the winter season to take care of her mother, who has been fighting colon cancer, in Kansas. She says she will stay in Hawaii and is working on locking down another opportunity.

Assistant athletic directors Jeff Meister and Kale Ane have been handling things in her stead and will continue to do so until a replacement is found.

“During Jeaney’s tenure at Punahou, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to the values of athletics in her work with both students and coaches, and has brought exceptional enthusiasm to her role as Athletic Director,” Punahou Academy Principal Kevin Conway wrote in a statement. “We thank her and wish her all success with her future endeavors.”

Monday will be Garcia’s last day at Punahou. She replaced Tom Holden and was the school’s first female AD.