2025 KKP Complex Area Summit: Directory

E komo mai!

Welcome to the 2025 Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area Summit! We are thrilled to host the 8th Annual KKP CA Summit at Keaʻau High School Campus, where we’ll come together to inspire, learn, and grow as a collective body.

This year, we are honored to announce our keynote speaker, Nainoa Thompson, Master Navigator and President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Nainoa is a true embodiment of achieving excellence with intention, leading the way for the Hōkūleʻa crew as they prepare for the transformative Moananuiākea Voyage—a bold, four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific.

In addition to Nainoa’s powerful address, we’re excited to offer a variety of breakout sessions featuring dynamic speakers and topics from national, state, and local community agencies, as well as our own Complex Area and school educators. Together, we’ll explore innovative ideas and actionable strategies to support our students, schools, and communities.
Let’s make this summit a time of connection, growth, and shared purpose as we continue to thrive together. Mohala I ka wai ka maka o ka pua - Flowers thrive where there is water, as thriving people are found where living conditions are good. #KKPCA_Thrives

Shane Asselstine

Shane is a passionate advocate for leveraging technology to transform learning. With nearly two decades of experience in Hawaii's education system, he has a proven track record of driving successful technology initiatives at all levels. As a Technology Integration Specialist for the Hawaii State Department of Education, he directly supports both school leaders and teachers: collaborating with leaders to develop strategic technology plans, and providing professional development that empowers teachers to effectively integrate technology in their classrooms. He champions the use of innovative tools... Read more

Company HIDOE Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design
Position Educational Specialist

Tyler Belanga

Tyler is a passionate education leader who served for over a decade in middle school ELA and Social Studies classrooms and education nonprofits before joining the HIDOE Assessment Section in June 2023. Currently, he oversees HIDOE's Educator Leader Assessment Collaborative (ELAC) and Hawaiʻi's 2022 Competitive Grant for State Assessment, collaborating with multiple organizations to promote balanced assessment systems and refine classroom-based assessments. His leadership extends to the Performance Assessment Development Initiative, which involves local educators in creating and piloting standards-aligned... Read more

Company HIDOE - Assessment Section
Position Test Development Specialist

Jill La Boy

Jill LaBoy is the Middle Level Principal in Residence.

Company HIDOE Middle Level Team (Leadership Institute - OTM)
Position Principal in Residence

Kristi Clay

Kristi Clay - KKPCA Resource Teacher: Kristi’s wheelhouse is middle school math.She is deeply passionate about the art of teaching and student engagement. She is a lifelong, joyous learner who loves inspiring others to be their best, both in and out of the classroom. Happy, productive inclusive classrooms that work for all students makes her heart sing! While she has been bringing her joy to teaching for 18 years, this will be her second year with the KKP family, and she is so excited to be doing the work in the same community in which she lives!

Company Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area
Position Secondary Math & Inclusive Practice Resource Teacher

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Rhonda Davis

I am the Head of Customer Success for North America with a passion for helping students and teachers embrace technology in math education. My journey began as a Computer Specialist at an elementary school where I saw students of all ages struggle with understanding Mathematics. Seeing this frustration led me to search for digital resources to support students as they learn math. After transferring positions to my local school district as a Curriculum Account Manager, I was able to participate in district wide curriculum review and selection committees.

Throughout my tenure with Mathspace, I have been able to bring my passion for technology to schools across the country. I first used Mathspace with my own daughter who I saw make leaps and bounds in understanding the math content she was being taught. Seeing this growth ignited a fire in me- a fire and passion to help other students experience the same increase in confidence I saw in my daughter. I love working with students and teachers across the country to implement a program that has led to such tremendous growth. It is extremely fulfilling knowing that what I do has a direct impact on these... Read more

Company Hawaii Educational Resource Experts (H.E.R.E)
Position Head of Customer Success for Mathspace

Danielle Dixon

Danielle is a KKP Resource Teacher focused on mentoring SPED colleagues new to the profession. She geeks out on lesson planning, secondary literacy, and creative paths to dignified life outcomes for all our students. She digs the creative power of teachers and knows the only way we survive this career is with each other... and lots of laughter.

Company Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area
Position Complex Area Resource Teacher

Leah Gouker

Leah Gouker is a Social Studies teacher at Pāhoa High & Intermediate School and a proud Dagger alumnus. She is the program lead for ʻAha Lamakū ʻOiaʻiʻo (ALO), an ʻāina-based leadership program for high school students.

Company Pahoa HIgh & Inter ALO program
Position PHIS Social Studies Educator

Joy Hohnstine

Student supports, teaming, school climate and culture, school counseling, violence prevention, suicide prevention, ACES, Trauma & Resilience

Company Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area
Position District Educational Specialist
Location Joy.Hohnstine

Lisa Letoto-Ohata

Lisa Letoto-Ohata (NPN UHM Program Assistant) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for nearly 15 years and is passionate with working with our Native Hawaiian keiki and wants to see them succeed.

Company Na Pua No`eau UH Manoa
Position Program Assistant
Location Honolulu, Hawaii

Suzanne McFadden

I have 19 years of experience in Special Education. I was a special education teacher for 12 years, and have 7 years of experience as a Special Education Administrator. I currently serve as an Educational Specialist for the DOE under the Exceptional Supports Branch and specialize in instructional practices for students with moderate to severe disabilities.

Company HIDOE
Position Educational Specialist

Pamela Moniz-Pena

Pamela Moniz-Pena has been a Licensed Behavior Analyst for KKPCA SBBH for the last 2 years. Previously, she was a Behavioral Health Specialist for 14 years working both on the Big Island and Oahu. Pamela works with classroom teachers and school teams on prevention skills, focusing on Tier 1 & 2 behavior interventions.

Company KKPCA SBBH
Position Behavior Analyst

Rob Nickerson

Rob Nickerson has dedicated the past 34 years to elementary - mathematics education. He served 20 years in Jeffco Schools (Colorado) as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and district mathematics content specialist. For the past 11 years, he works with ORIGO Education supporting teachers and students. He and his colleagues design professional learning around current topics and trends in education to support the classroom teacher. These sessions are focused on content as well as instructional strategies. While Rob's passion is focused on developing teacher capacity in mathematics...

Company ORIGO Education
Position Learning Services Educator
Location Golden, CO

Aron Schweitzer

Aron Schweitzer is the Founder and President of Hawai’i Educational Resource Experts, a HIDOE-Approved Services Provider. He has been providing comprehensive support to the educational community of Hawaii since 1999. He provides more than $500,000 of funding to local schools annually. Aron previously taught at the University of Hawai’i Manoa. In 2003, he founded an organization, and served in an executive director, providing free after-school tutoring to Title I students throughout Hawaii for nine years.

Company Hawaii Educational Resource Experts (H.E.R.E)
Position Founder
Location Honolulu, Hawaii

2025 KKP Complex Area Summit