Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School principal honored among state’s top 15 principals

Could Kaua‘i bring home one of the state’s top public school leadership awards for the second year in a row in 2025?

If Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School Principal Corey Nakamura has anything to say about it, the answer would be a resounding yes.

The Lihu‘e educator is among just 15 principals — all of whom lead Hawai‘i Department of Education elementary or secondary schools — from all 4 of Hawai‘i’s counties to be nominated for the 19th Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award.

It’s also the third time he’s been nominated for the award.

Nakamura was one of 13 principals to receive the honor in 2015 after finishing his first year at Wilcox Elementary. He received the honor in 2013 as well, when he was principal at Hanalei Elementary School.

The longtime educator has more than 20 years of experience under his belt, including classroom time, administrative work and of course leadership. He served as principal for 9 years in Hanalei before making the move to Wilcox Elementary.

Nakamura told another island media outlet when he was nominated in 2015 that a principal’s success can only be measured by the success of their teachers and administrators — all of them are as equally as important when it comes to the success of the students.

It’s not what he’s doing. It’s about the people with whom he works.

“I can’t do this myself,” he told the the other outlet at the time, adding later that the nomination really had nothing to do with his leadership specifically — it was about the entire community. “I’m just a part of it.”

This year’s nominees were recently honored during an event hosted by award underwriter and nonprofit Island Insurance Foundation.

The 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award recipient and two semi-finalists will be announced April 17 during the Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation annual gala in the Hawai‘i Ballroom at Sheraton Waikīkī on O‘ahu.

Hawai‘i State Superintendent of Schools Keith Hayashi, Island Insurance Foundation Chairman Tyler Tokioka and an array of state and local officials attended the recent event to celebrate the accomplishments of the nominees.

Each of the 15 principals also received a $1,000 cash award.

“A school is only as great as its leader — and these 15 principals have created learning environments that are inspiring teachers, staff and students to strive to their highest,” said Tokioka.

Kapa‘a High School Principal Tommy Cox won the award in 2024. Other past winners from Kaua‘i include Waimea High School Principal Mahina Anguay in 2016 and former Kōloa Elementary School Principal Debra Lindsey in 2012.

The principal who claims this year’s Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award will receive $25,000: $15,000 to go toward a school project and $10,000 for personal use.

Each of the two semi-finalists will receive a $2,000 personal award.

This year’s other talented principals nominated for the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award are:

• Kimberly Anthony-Maeda, Kailua High School, O‘ahu.
• Bryan Arbles, Hilo Union Elementary School, Big Island.
• Kasey Eisenhour, Keonepoko Elementary School, Big Island.
• Albert Hetrick, Āliamanu Middle School, O‘ahu.
• Lisa Ann Higa, Nānākuli Elementary School, O‘ahu.
• Kimberly Ka‘ai, Maunaloa Elementary School, Moloka‘i.
• Noreen Kunitomo, Hōnaunau Elementary School, Big Island.
• Ryan Kusuda, Waikīkī Elementary School, O‘ahu.
• Walter Santiago, Kahalu‘u Elementary School, O‘ahu.
• Paul Taga, Keone‘ula Elementary School, O‘ahu.
• Troy Tamura, Mililani Waena Elementary School, O‘ahu.
• Gavin Tsue, Palisades Elementary School, O‘ahu.
• Merilee Valentino, Pāi‘a Elementary School, Maui.
• Christopher Baba Yim, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻO Ānuenue, O‘ahu.

Named for and given in honor of the late Masayuki Tokioka — community leader, philanthropist, founder of Island Insurance and proud graduate of Hawai‘i public schools — the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award was created 20 years ago to uplift the state’s outstanding public school leaders and honor them for the efforts they make to provide students with high-quality learning opportunities.

More than $650,000 has been given to Hawai‘i public school principals to highlight their efforts and assist in funding high-impact school projects since the award was created.

Past recipients used their award monies to launch or expand projects such as an aquaponics program, a science resource center, high school transition and college preparation programs, a culinary arts program and digital arts programs.

Click here to learn more or see other past Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award winners.

To find more about the Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation annual gala April 17, visit the foundation’s website.