Kaneohe Elementary School Principal and HGEA Unit 6 member Derek Minakami has been named Hawaii’s 2026 National Distinguished Principal by the Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association.
This is the second honor Minakami has earned in as many weeks. Kaneohe Elementary was named a 2026 National Gold Star School by National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Minakami, whose career spans three decades, praised the efforts of his school for the honor.
“I really am so appreciative. My heart is full,” Minakami told his faculty and staff. “This is all of us. It’s not me. It’s kakou. We can only go as far as what everyone puts in. And so mahalo to each of you.”
Superintendent Keith Hayashi called Minakami an exemplary leader. “He not only leads Kaneohe Elementary with excellence, but serves as a valued mentor to other principals across our department and helps strengthen instructional practices that benefit students statewide.”
Minakami will represent the state in Washington, D.C., this fall alongside other National Distinguished Principals.