The UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) welcomed Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) Superintendent Keith Hayashi as the special guest speaker during the COE college-wide meeting on August 20, 2026. Returning to his alma mater, Hayashi delivered a warm and intimate address, sharing how his formative years as a student at the college fundamentally shaped the trajectory of his leadership in public education.
As a proud three-time COE alumnus, who earned a BEd in Elementary Education, MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, and MEd in Educational Administration, Hayashi reflected with deep nostalgia on the faculty members who guided his academic journey. He paid tribute to influential leaders and mentors spanning generations of COE educators, from former Dean Donald Young to the late Professor Ronald Heck.
“Superintendent Hayashi has been a longtime colleague, ally, and visionary in educational leadership,” said COE Dean Nathan Murata. “The college is profoundly grateful for the deep connection and relationship with the superintendent and HIDOE as we work in tandem to provide Hawaiʻiʻs students with the most dedicated and highly qualified educators.”
Hayashi expressed his gratitude for the college’s vital role in Hawaiʻi’s public school system throughout his address. As the state’s primary producer of well-prepared educators, the COE continues to supply the largest number of new teachers to local classrooms each year.
Tracing the key milestones of his career, Hayashi recalled his foundational work as a special education teacher, a role he credits with instilling a lifelong, student-centered mindset. He later gained the highest level of national recognition during his tenure as principal of Waipahu High School where he transformed the campus into a national model academy high school with six career academies.
Looking ahead, Hayashi emphasized the importance of a strong, reciprocal relationship between the HIDOE and COE. He reaffirmed his commitment to continued collaboration and mutual support to strengthen teacher preparation pipelines, enhance educator retention, and ensure Hawaiʻi’s students are served by highly qualified and compassionate teachers.
