Faculty and Staff File

HAIS honors Retiring Administrators  

Among those honored were ‘Iolani Headmaster Dr. Val T. Iwashita ’67, Assistant Head Dr. Lily Driskill, and Director of Institutional Advancement Jane Heimerdinger. HAIS Executive Director Robert Witt paid tribute to each of them and acknowledged how Dr. Iwashita, during his service as chair of the National Association of Independent School, helped bring national and international attention to Hawai‘i’s school community.

Mahalo and Praise for Years of Service

These teachers include:

Lower School teacher Mary Jo Segawa is retiring after 40 years at ‘Iolani. She started as a student teacher in 1970 and eventually taught first and second grade. Among the many programs and project she has brought to ‘Iolani is the summer school class Bearable Experiences which focuses on oral communication, reading, listening, writing, music and art through the theme of bears.

Lower School teacher Sandi Fo is retiring after teaching kindergarten and third grade for 22 years at ‘Iolani. Prior to ‘Iolani, she taught at schools under the state Department of Education and at Kamehameha Schoos.

History teacher Jeffrey Moses is retiring after 40 years of teaching at ‘Iolani. Hired in 1972 by Reverend David Coon, he also served as a longtime coach and mentor to countless students. He designed the History of Hawaii course and kept a a fascinating collection of Hawaiian memorabilia in his classroom to spark students' interests.

Mahalo also goes to several dedicated and experienced teachers who are retiring or leaving ‘Iolani for new adventures in their lives. They include ESL program founder and teacher Johanna Guth, math teacher Annette Matsumoto, English teacher and IMUA advisor Karin Swanson, Math teacher Brigitte Visser, history teacher and former headmaster Tom Miller.

A Lifesaver Among Us

Yonamine was recognized for her performance and quick response in saving the life of an ‘Iolani teacher who suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of a school day on May 4. Yonamine called upon the use of an A.E.D. or automated external defibrillator. Nearby colleagues and teachers, including Athletic Trainer Louise Inafuku and Director of the  Physical Education program Wendell Look ’78, also pitched in to aid the faculty member who was awake when paramedics arrived and has since made a full recovery.

In 2006, ‘Iolani was the first O‘ahu school to install A.E.D.s and to train faculty and staff in the use of the equipment. Thanks to the diligence and expertise of Dr. Alson Inaba ’79 who helped bring the program to campus, ‘Iolani now has 13 A.E.D.s in visually prominent places. Peggy Stitham, who was ‘Iolani’s director of health services when the A.E.D.s were installed, was also instrumental in training faculty and students on how to operate them.

Ann Yoneshige named Interim Dean of Upper School

Yoneshige has a proven track record as an administrator, having served in her current position as Director of Special Programs and previously as a math teacher and counselor. She joined ‘Iolani 38 years ago and has since directed and managed curriculum development, personnel, schedule preparation, discipline, budget, parental concerns and other operational functions.

Yoneshige earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan and her masters of education from the University of Hawai‘i.  She is also a familiar face at many school sporting events, performances, and campus functions, always looking out for students.  While she serves as Interim Dean of Upper School, Michelle Hastings will be Director of Special Programs and continue to oversee the after school programs and Lower School summer school.

History teacher Erik Yamamoto ’99 will assist Hastings with the after school program and over see the Upper School summer program for 2013.

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