Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe, who directs the University of Hawaiʻi , is stepping into a new role. A prominent leader in advancing Hawaiʻi-grounded initiatives across the 10-campus system for more than two decades, Lipe has been selected as the new poʻo kula (head of school) at Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha ma Kapālama (Kamehameha Schools Kapālama), where she will support and serve students and educators across the K–12 campus.

Her ����Vlog�ٷ� service spans key leadership roles having also served as director of the , and director of ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�’s .

“����Vlog�ٷ� has always held a special place in my life,” said Lipe, a graduate of ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa and Kamehameha Schools. “This community raised me, and it has been the greatest honor of my professional life to work alongside all of you. ����Vlog�ٷ� nurtured my growth and strengthened my commitment to ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), to ʻāina (land), and to the relationships that guide our work. In many ways, Kamehameha Schools also shaped my early journey, and at this moment, it is deeply meaningful to return and step into this leadership kuleana (responsibility).”

Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News stories:

• Punihei Lipe selected to lead systemwide Native Hawaiian initiative, July 23, 2024
• Oli, mele, kuleana guide ����Vlog�ٷ� Mānoa annual summit, January 22, 2026
• Rebuilding pilina: 2nd annual summit advocates racial healing, January 23, 2024

Rooted path

At ����Vlog�ٷ�, Lipe earned a PhD in and a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies. She also earned a master’s in counseling psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu. Lipe’s work at ����Vlog�ٷ� has spanned campuses, helping integrate ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge) across strategic plans, campus culture, programs and initiatives. Her leadership is grounded in building authentic relationships and connections.

“Punihei has made a lasting impact across our ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses, helping to center ʻike Hawaiʻi in meaningful ways that will continue to shape our university for years to come,” said ����Vlog�ٷ� President Wendy Hensel. “Her leadership is characterized by humility, deep aloha, and genuine care for our students and communities. In my time working alongside her, she helped deepen my understanding of ʻike kūpuna, our responsibilities to ʻāina, and the importance of connection in all that we do.”

Work continues

The office that Lipe has built will continue the work of advancing ����Vlog�ٷ�’s active commitment to becoming grounded and reflective of Hawaiʻi. The team she has trained and mentored is well-prepared to support and continue this endeavor as a permanent leader for the office is identified in the coming months.

Lipe will remain in her current role through the end of May to ensure a smooth transition, before stepping into her new role at Kamehameha Schools on June 15.