Meet Your Board Of Education
Photo By Ed Morita
Education is one of Governor Abercrombie’s highest priorities. He believes the success of our state’s future depends on the success of our public schools.
On March 30, 2011, Governor Abercrombie announced his appointments for the 9-member Board of Education, moving the state in a new era of accountability for our public schools.
The new board members bring a diversity of experiences, talent and leadership. Together, along with the Department of Education, Governor Abercrombie will restore public confidence in our schools and put the interests of our students first.
Meet your new Board of Education:
Don Horner
Chairman
At Large
Don Horner is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of First Hawaiian Bank. He served as Vice Chair of The Department of Education's Interagency Working Group (Act 51) and served on the Boards of Ioalni School, Mid-Pacific Institute, UH Manoa Shidler College of Business Advisory Council, and UH Manoa School of Nursing Advisory Council. Horner's appointment is for a three-year term.
Kim Gennaula
At Large
Keith Amemiya
At Large
Wesley Lo
Maui
Wesley Lo is the Chief Executive Officer at Maui Memorial Medical Center. He previously worked as the Maui County Finance Director and the Chief Financial Officer of Maui Memorial Medical Center. His children attend Baldwin High School and Pomaikai Elementary. Lo’s wife is a counselor at Maui High School. His appointment is for a three-year term.
Hawaii County
Brian DeLima is an Attorney in Private Practice. He is a former Hawai'i County council member. DeLima is a graduate of Hilo High School and in 1972 he served as the first student BOE member. His daughter, who has special needs, attends Hilo Intermediate School. DeLima’s appointment is for a two-year term.
Nancy Budd
Kauai
Nancy Budd is an Attorney in Private Practice. She has been involved in public education as a past director and president of the Kauai District Parent Teacher Student Association and the King Kaumualii Elementary School PTA. She is a reading tutor at Wilcox Elementary School. Budd’s daughter graduated from Kaua'i High School. Her appointment is for a one-year term.
Jim Williams
Oahu
Jim Williams is retired Administrator and CEO of the Hawaii Employer-Union Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF). Currently, he is the Vice-chair of Voyager Public Charter School, and previously served as President and CEO of Royal State Learning Foundation; Interim Director and President of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association; and teacher at Kauanakakai Elementary School and Moloka'i High School. Williams’ appointment is for a three-year term.
Charlene Cuaresma
Oahu
Charlene Cuaresma is the Associate Director of the Graduate Professional Access Program at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. She is also the Community Director of the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training. Cuaresma, a Waipahu High School graduate, is active in many Filipino community initiatives. Cuaresma’s appointment is for a two-year term.
Cheryl Kauhane Lupenui
Oahu
Cheryl Kauhane Lupenui is the Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of Oahu. She has served on the boards of Hawai'i Tourism Authority’s Hawaiian Resource Advisory Board; the Center for Asian Pacific American Women; and Aloha United Way. Lupenui’s appointment is for a one-year term.
