Complex Area Leadership

CAS Stacey Bello

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 25-year educational journey in the Kea’au complex as a then-student teacher. Over the years, she has served the broader Kaʻū-Keaʻau-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 Keaʻau 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. In 2018, she was a semifinalist for the distinguished Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award. Stacey is most proud of being the daughter of Madayln and the late Sam Kaeo, Jr., wife of Mason Bello, and mother to Kanisha and Micah Bello.

CAO Andrew Scott

Growing up in Orange, California, Andrew spent his teenage years first as a student and then instructor of Karate, where he developed a life long 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 Hawaii 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 a perspective and promote positive outcomes for the students most in need of support.

In 2020 Andrew moved to Kurtistown on Hawaii 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  Kāʻu 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 Na Keiki, Mau a Mau!

SRS Christopher Ho

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Christopher Ho attended the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts studying Orchestra and Choir. After finishing High School he started his career in the Food and Beverage industry and stayed there for 15 years. In 2001, he started attending UNLV where he would receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Political Science before entering into the Master’s of Education Program at Sierra Nevada College to obtain his teaching license. In 2010 he would make the fateful decision to leave his home and move to Hawai’i to start a new life as an educator for the keiki of Hawai’i. For the past 12 years Chris has served in numerous roles at Kea’au High School. This past year Chris obtained his Master’s in Education specializing in School Leadership from the University of San Diego. His main focus will be supporting Student Voice, Student Leadership, and Student Activities.

"I am super excited to work alongside many amazing students, educators, and community members to enrich, enhance, and support current activities and programs while fostering current and future leaders to make our world a better place for all. Mahalo to all who have helped me along this journey and for your continued support especially by husband Coan, our two kids, and our adorable fur babies."

DES Elaine Higa

Elaine began her educational career as a 5th grade teacher at Kea’au Elementary school where she also served as a grade level chair and an academic coach. Elaine joined the district office as a resource teacher and has supported schools in their development of academic, family, community, and cultural literacy practices. Elaine was recognized for her work by being selected as the KKP District Teacher of the Year. Elaine now serves as a coordinator for the CLSD grant where she facilitates professional learning for classroom teachers and school level teams, supports teachers by providing demo lessons, analyzing student data with school teams, and seeks out the best interventions to support student growth.  

Elaine is the  product of hard working immigrant parents who stressed the importance of education to her, even though they both were unable to receive their own.  Elaine takes their motivation into her work in education, championing learning and the advancement of all students. Elaine is a lifelong Hilo resident, where she and her husband raise their two sons. 

DES Iwalani Harris

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 Iwaʻs 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! 👩🏻‍🌾

DES Jason Schafer

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 incredible wife, Elise, and their wild-child toddler, Frankie. Jason loves all things outdoors, especially hiking, swimming, and gardening. 

DES Joy Hohnstine

With over 20 years in the education field, Joy has served as an Educational Aide in New York, a student teacher and graduate teaching assistant in Alaska, and as a school counselor, student supports coach, and District Educational Specialist in Hawai’i. 

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 for the last 16 years, 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.

DES Lynn Romero

Aloha! I am new to the KKP Complex Area and thrilled to be here serving the keiki as the District Educational Specialist for General Special Education and Compliance and Monitoring since January 2022. After a career in business, I returned to school to earn my Bachelor's in History, Secondary Education, and Special Education. I spent 12 years teaching General Education Social Studies in a variety of settings: public school, the juvenile justice system, and in a treatment center. I earned my Masters in Educational Leadership and served students in New Mexico and Washington state in administration. I look forward to working with the staff and community in ne'epapa (unison) for the benefit of our keiki. 

In my free time I participate in the Hilo Obedience Club, Canine Agility with my dog, and the Hilo Orchid Society.

DES Ravae Todd

Aloha! My name is Ravae Todd. I grew up in north central Missouri and earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Special Education from Truman University then continued my Specialist studies in Literacy/Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Missouri. I provided special education instruction in fully self-contained, resource and inclusion classrooms for students with a range of disabilities from age 3 to 22 from 1982 until 2007 and then served as a KKP district resource teacher unil 2013. I then began providing resources and services to the Ka’u-Kea’au- Pahoa Complex Area as the ABA/Autism District Educational Specialist until present with the help of my awesome Autism Team in fulfilling our mission as follows;

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

My husband, Butch, and I have been married for 39 years and live in Mountain View. We have a daughter, Danielle, living on Oahu.

DES Shawn Slater

I was born and raised in Upstate New York in the Adirondack Mountain region. I attended higher education at the State University of New York, University of Buffalo. In 1987, I completed my graduate degree in Social Work with a concentration of health and mental health. As a clinical social worker, I worked for ten years in several healthcare settings in New York, and then I began my professional career here in Hawaii. For the next 26 years I have worked on the Big Island with children, adolescents and families in the public educational school settings in the School based behavioral health (SBBH) program beginning 2001. In 2006, I began my focus in SBBH as a clinical supervisor in the Pahoa Complex.  Exposure to multiple natural disasters in Puna inspired a professional necessity to professionally develop trauma specific care in mental health practices. One thing for sure, the Big Island community is rich with culture and community, resiliency and sheer grit. I am so very grateful and proud to call Puna my home with such a strong sense of belonging. With so many talented educational and behavioral health partners.  As a leader in the SBBH DES role, I look forward to the opportunity to advance a more modern behavioral health and mental health system of care in our schools. “We are here to help” in partnership with our students, parents, faculty, staff and community leadership in our school settings.