Board Members
Jan Iwase | Board Chairperson
Early childhood educator and Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE) teacher and principal with 45 years of experience. Partnered with Department of Defense Education Activity and HIDOE on a $33.2 million grant to upgrade school facilities to reflect 21st century priorities and authored two books, Leading with Aloha and Educating with Aloha.
Damien Kim| Board Vice-Chairperson
Trades and labor union leader with current positions at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1186, Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council, and Hawaii State AFL-CIO. Current and past community leadership positions include former chair of the Honolulu Authority on Rapid Transit, chair of Adult Friends for Youth, and chair of Waipahu High School Academy of Industrial and Engineering Technology Advisory Board.
Robert Davis | Member
Former HawaiÊ»i Department of Education Complex Area Superintendent for the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area and Principal of Ka‘ala Elementary School with over 30 years of experience. Focused on student-centered leadership and educational policy development.
Shellie Paiva | Member
Retired law enforcement professional with 27 years of experience, including nearly a decade in community policing. Proven expertise in leadership, strategic planning, policy development, and interagency collaboration. Extensive experience in public engagement and dedicated to institutional accountability.
Michael Unebasami| Member
Emeritus associate vice president for administrative affairs for the University of Hawaiʻi Community College System with decades of leadership experience in business operations, including budget and financial management, planning and facilities management, auxiliary enterprises, human resources, and legal and legislative affairs.
Past Board Members
Harold Edwards | Vice Chairperson 2021-2025
Former development director for HCDA, Senior Vice-President of the Development division for Molokai Properties (dba Molokai Ranch), and current President and CEO of ITC Water Management.
Logan Okita | Member (Interim) 2024-2025
Vice President of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association (HSTA) and elementary school teacher at Nimitz Elementary School. Formerly HSTA secretary-treasurer. Director on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.