Complex Area Leaders

Big Island born and raised, Stacey Bello, was appointed as Complex Area Superintendent of the Ka‘ū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa schools on January 19, 2023. CAS Bello began her 29-year educational journey in the Kea‘au complex as a then-student teacher. Over the years, she has served the broader Kaʻū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa Complex area and East Hawaiʻi schools as a substitute teacher, a special education teacher, a district special education resource teacher, a vice principal and principal of Keaukaha Elementary, and most recently Kea‘au Elementary school. Stacey earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, an elementary teaching certification, special education K-12 teaching certification, a Master of Arts from National University and her certification in Administration. Stacey is most proud of being the daughter of Madayln and the late Sam Kaeo, Jr., wife of Mason Bello, mother to Kanisha and Micah Bello, and grandmother to Hunter Bello.

Growing up in Orange, California, Andrew spent his teenage years first as a student and then instructor of Karate, where he developed a lifelong love for working with young people and a deep appreciation for the positive impact that caring educators make in the life a child. 

Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree in History and teaching certification for Social Studies, and years later earned a master’s degree in educational administration, from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.  Andrew taught Social Studies at the middle school level, before becoming a vice principal. As VP he served at both the secondary and elementary level. He relished the opportunity to gain a broader perspective and promote positive outcomes for the students most in need of support.

In 2020 Andrew moved to Kurtistown on Hawaiʻi Island–joined by his loving wife Carly, a registered nurse, and a naughty little pup named Cloud–to begin service to the schools of the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area, where he serves as Complex Academic Officer. The CAO works with school leaders and staff to develop systems for action-oriented data based decision making, to ensure that our actions align with our student needs. He is proud to support such a fantastic group of educators all striving to achieve the KKP Mission– No Nā Keiki, Mau a Mau!

Devin Wright-Reed, affectionately known by his students as “Coach,” serves as the District Education Specialist for the Complex Area Alternative Program - Ho‘maka Hou. He has been in service to the Puna community as an educator and in athletics for over eight years. Before his work in Hawai‘i, Devin served six years as a Behavior Specialist / Teacher at the Blackburn Alternative Program in Omaha, Nebraska. He has also held significant leadership roles in the non-profit sector as a program director for the Salvation Army’s Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center.

Devin holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Executive Coaching from Bellevue University and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Peru State College. Devin’s educational philosophy is deeply aligned with the Hawaiian proverbs “ʻO ke kahua ma mua, ma hope ke kūkulu” (Learn all you can, then practice) and “Hana nō i ka pono ā laila ola” (Do what is right, and then you will thrive). He is particularly enthusiastic and passionate about working with students who are oftentimes overlooked, and he holds high aspirations to eventually obtain a PhD. Outside of his professional life, Devin stays active in the community. You can catch him regularly training capoeira, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors or on campus managing the mala. 

Elaine began her career in education as a fifth-grade teacher at Kea‘au Elementary School, where she also served as Grade-Level Chair and Academic Coach. She later transitioned to the district office as a Resource Teacher, partnering with schools to strengthen academic, family, community, and cultural literacy practices.

Currently, Elaine serves as the Coordinator for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant. In this role, she oversees grant budgeting and leads district-wide literacy initiatives grounded in Structured Literacy and aligned with the Hawaii Multi-Tiered System of Supports (HMTSS) framework. Elaine directly supports school-level literacy coaches, teachers, and leadership teams by facilitating targeted professional development, administering the Reading Tiered Fidelity Inventory (R-TFI), delivering demonstration lessons, analyzing student achievement data, and identifying evidence-based interventions.

Inspired by her hard working immigrant parents—who instilled in her a deep reverence for learning despite lacking formal educational opportunities of their own—Elaine approaches her work with a strong commitment to educational equity.

The proverbial saying, “Home is where the 💚 is!” explains Iwa’s life’s journey. Born at Tripler Army Medical Center on Oʻahu and at the age of 3, Iwa, 2 older brothers, mom and Army first class sergeant dad, moved to Japan.  After over a decade, Iwa returned to Hawaiʻi and graduated as a Na Aliʻi from Aiea High School then attended Brigham Young University - Hawaiʻi Campus. Laie, Oʻahu became the next home, working at the Polynesian Cultural Center and growing her family, raising her two sons and getting her first teaching job at Sunset Beach Elementary on the North Shore. Soon, Moku o Keawe (Big Island) would call ‘Iwa to plant her roots and grow her family with an addition of two daughters. Most of Iwa’s 30 years has been dedicated to serving the KKPCA complex area, as a teacher, cooperating teacher, reading coach, curriculum coordinator, summer learning coordinator, Student Affairs/Academic Officer, Vice Principal, District Resource Teacher and currently District Education Specialist. In her downtime, she enjoys being close to home with her family which includes her pupper - Kua 🐶.  ‘Iwa has gardening goals even though she has a not-so-green thumb! 👩🏻‍🌾

Iris McGuire has been the face of Cougar Athletics, serving as the Athletic Administrator at Keaʻau High School for the past 20 years. She leads with a deep commitment to athletic excellence, academic achievement, and community connection.  Born and raised in the Puna district and a proud graduate of St. Joseph High School, Iris understands firsthand the values, challenges, and spirit that shape Hawaiʻi Island's youth.

She has built Keaʻau's athletic programs under a model that emphasizes ʻohana, and provides an environment where student-athletes grow in character, integrity, and leadership.  In recognition of her dedication to the profession, Iris earned her Certified Masters in Athletic Administration (CMAA) designation in 2011, one of the highest levels of certification in the field.  Leading by example, Iris hopes to inspire Cougar athletes to excel on and off the field and emerge as principled leaders ready to serve others, by preparing them not only for competition, but for life beyond high school.

Beyond the campus, Iris has devoted 27 years to the community as a Hawaiʻi County Police Officer, bringing a steadfast commitment to service, discipline, and mentorship to both her uniforms.  She is humbled and appreciative of the opportunity to continue to serve her community in this capacity.  This dual role has allowed her to forge strong partnerships with families, local organizations, and civic leaders, strengthening the bond between Kea'au High School and the wider community.

Jason was born and raised in Billings, Montana, and he knew he was meant to be an educator at the age of 16. His first teaching role was as the Youth Director of a Boy Scout Leadership Camp in which he taught young men the skills and mindset needed to be a leader. Jason received his BA in Elementary Education from Pacific Lutheran University and later his Masters of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from The University of Texas at Austin. Jason taught elementary physical education for 10 years before becoming the Health Education Specialist in Austin, TX. Throughout his career, Jason routinely volunteered for leadership roles on his campus and within the district. He has served on School Leadership Teams and as the Campus Advisory Chair; he has been a Teacher Mentor; and he was elected President of a local non-profit organization that supported teachers. 

Jason’s passion for whole child education drives his belief that districts must support the total wellbeing of teachers and administrators so that each person can realize their full potential in working with students. As the KKP DES for Responsive Capacity Building, Jason will work with schools to develop strong communities of supportive leaders, empathic teachers, and engaged families. 

In his free time, Jason enjoys hanging at the beach with his wife, Elise, and their kiddos, Frankie & Witt. Jason loves all things outdoors, especially hiking, swimming, and gardening. 

Joy was born and raised in New Jersey by two public school teachers.  Having attended NJ public schools for all of her K-12 education, she then attended a small liberal arts college in New York before beginning her educational career and graduate studies.

Beginning in 1993 from New York to Alaska and Hawaiʻi, Joy Hohnstine has served as a teaching & graduate assistant, an Educational Aide, school counselor, student supports coach, and District Educational Specialist. 

With a deep interest in the power of words to tell our stories, help us heal, and grant us insight into the experiences of others, Joy completed a M.A. in English Literature and a M.Ed. in School Counseling with a focus on the use of bibliotherapy and narrative therapy. 

As a member of the Hawai‘i Island community since 2006, Joy has had the opportunity to be a part of several inter-agency and community based workgroups dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of our youth. 

It is her sincere pleasure to be a part of any conversation focused on our collective ability and responsibility to create a safer, healthier Hawai‘i island for all.

Noe was born and raised on the Island of Hawai‘i.  After receiving her Bachelors of Education and Professional Diploma from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, she returned home to teach Special Education at Pāhoa Elementary School. Over the course of her career, she has served the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area, Keaukaha Elementary, and Keaʻau Elementary as a Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher, Student Services Coordinator, and District Office Teacher. She currently serves as the TA District Educational Specialist for Special Education. For Noe, supporting the schools, students, and ʻohana of the KKP Complex is rewarding.

Outside of her work in education, Noe is a wife and mother to two daughters—one of whom has followed in her footsteps as a teacher at Keaʻau Elementary. Recently, she stepped into her favorite new role yet: "Lovey" to her grandson.

Ravae Todd was raised in north-central Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Special Education from Truman State University before completing her Specialist studies in Literacy and Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Missouri.

Her career in education spans decades of dedicated service. From 1982 to 2007, she provided special education instruction in fully self-contained, resource, and inclusion classrooms for students ages 3 to 22 with a wide range of disabilities. She then served as a KKP district resource teacher until 2013, when she transitioned into her current role as the ABA/Autism District Educational Specialist for the Ka‘ū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa Complex Area. Alongside her dedicated Autism Team, she works to fulfill their shared mission:

The South Hawaii Autism Team consists of dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Autism Consulting Teachers, Behavioral Health Specialist ASD Consultants, Registered Behavior Technicians, and Educational Assistants who continuously strive to support school staff, families, and the community in providing for students’ unique needs on their journey toward independence in the least restrictive environment.

Outside of her professional work, Ravae lives in Mountain View with her husband, Butch, to whom she has been married for 39 years. They also have a daughter, Danielle, who resides on O‘ahu.

As Complex Area Business Manager, Sharon manages the business operations and fiscal strategy that help local schools thrive.  She is dedicated to supporting our schools by working closely with school leaders and staff to streamline budgeting, resource allocation, and administrative systems to create the best possible learning environment for all students across the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area.  

Prior to transitioning to public education, Sharon built a distinguished career at Hawaiian Electric, where she held various leadership positions, including Fiscal Administrator and Energy Contract Manager.  Combining corporate utility expertise with deep commitment to the local community, Sharon leverages her background in financial administration and strategic planning to support educational equity and operational excellence for schools in our Complex Area. 

Born and raised in Hilo, Sharon currently resides in the Waiākea District with her husband.  Outside of work, you will find Sharon spoiling her dogs or exploring new destinations with family and friends strictly for the joy of traveling. 

Born and raised in Upstate New York in the Adirondack Mountain region, Shawn Slater attended higher education at the State University of New York, University at Buffalo, earning a graduate degree in Social Work with a concentration in health and mental health in 1987. As a clinical social worker, Shawn spent ten years working across several healthcare settings in New York before launching his professional career in Hawai'i.

Since 2001, he has spent 26 years on the Big Island working with children, adolescents, and families within public school settings through the School-Based Behavioral Health (SBBH) program. In 2006, he stepped into a clinical supervisor role within SBBH for the Pahoa Complex. Experiencing multiple natural disasters in Puna sparked a professional drive to develop trauma-specific care practices in mental health.

To Shawn, the Big Island community is rich with culture, resiliency, and sheer grit. He is deeply grateful and proud to call Puna home, surrounded by a strong sense of belonging and talented educational and behavioral health partners.

Now serving as a leader in the SBBH DES role, he looks forward to advancing a more modern system of care for behavioral and mental health in schools, grounded in the belief that "we are here to help" in true partnership with students, parents, faculty, staff, and community leaders.