Hanahau‘oli picks new head of school
Hanahau‘oli School has named a new head of school to succeed Robert Peters, who will retire next year after 30 years at the Makiki private school.
Cynthia Gibbs-Wilborn, who has served as head of the lower school at Providence Day School in Charlotte, N.C., since 2008, will start at Hanahau‘oli on July 1.
Gibbs-Wilborn has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
Wendy Crabb, president of the board of trustees at Hanahau‘oli School, said she is confident Gibbs-Wilborn will "provide outstanding leadership for Hanahau‘oli School into the future while retaining our essential identity as a progressive school community."
Hanahau‘oli School is at 1922 Makiki St. It has 207 students from junior kindergarten through sixth grade.
Ruling favors Kauai mayor
A state Circuit judge ruled Tuesday that the mayor of Kauai has powers to suspend or discipline the police chief.
Citing the Kauai County Charter, Judge Randal Valenciano ruled that “the mayor, as chief executive officer of the County of Kauai, does have the power to, except as otherwise provided, exercise direct supervision over all departments,” a county news release said.
Earlier this year, Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. placed Police Chief Darryl Perry on leave as the county investigated an employee complaint alleging a hostile work environment at the Kauai Police Department. In March, Carvalho allowed him to return to work.
In the news release, Carvalho said, “We are pleased that the court has confirmed our position and now look forward to moving beyond this to focus on the many important matters that face the county.”
Big Isle opens new fire station
Hawaii County held a blessing ceremony Monday for the new Makalei fire station in North Kona.
The station is on Mamalahoa Highway, less than a mile north
of Kaiminani Drive. The $7 million, 11,000-square-foot facility is the county’s largest fire station. The federal government provided $4 million.
The station will provide the Kalaoa area of North Kona with quicker emergency response times. Before the Makalei fire station was opened, the next closest station was seven miles to the south at Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
The fire station includes three truck bays, a hose tower, a pump house, an office, a kitchen and training room, a dormitory, exercise/work rooms, a dedicated classroom, a laundry room and a fuel tank.
