Nikki Hamai Sakai Named New High School Principal

Nikki Hamai Sakai Named New High School Principal

Over the past fifteen years that Nikki Hamai Sakai has been at Assets School, she has served our community in several different roles, most recently as the High School Vice Principal and Mentorship Coordinator. She began her career at Assets as an English Teacher and a Curriculum Specialist, was then promoted to High School Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, before becoming Vice Principal. Her transition to High School Principal was a natural progression and an exciting stepping stone as the school celebrates its 65th Anniversary. 

With local-born roots, Nikki has amassed an exemplary education, receiving her Master's degrees in English and Education/Private School Leadership at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Additionally, Nikki is a Ph.D. Candidate in English from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. In 1998 and 2001, she earned the distinction of being a Dean’s Graduate Enrichment Fellow.

Nikki’s vision for the high school: “I see us helping students--in more deliberate and transformative ways--to develop the tools and skills they need to navigate the challenging terrain of global citizenship. I see us better preparing students to utilize their communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills as active participants in society. I see us preparing students to be both advocates of change and agents of change. To me, this is a natural extension of the way we already teach, which helps students to celebrate their exceptionalities, know themselves as learners, build sets of tools and skills to circumvent challenges with learning, and advocate for their unique academic, social, and emotional needs.”

What she loves most about Assets is the people in our community--bright, talented students; supportive families; dedicated faculty and staff. From the first day she visited Assets to now, Nikki appreciates the warmth, generosity, and acceptance in our school.

KEEP READING...

Hawaiʻi robotics team ranks 5th in the world

Assets Robotics Team Waffles ranked in the top five teams in the world for this week, according to FIRST Tech Challenge. They beat out teams from New York, Florida, Australia and Canada.

Assets Launches its First Middle School Robotics Team

This robotics program is geared towards students nine to sixteen years old and teaches them to program, build, and work with a team while having fun and exploring the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). 

Happy Anniversary Sandi and Darlene

Congratulations to Assistant Head of School and Director of Admissions Sandi Tadaki and Director of Professional Development and Outreach Darlene Robertson on their 40th Anniversaries with Assets School.

Ryan and Kanoe Gibson

Ryan Masa is interviewed by Kanoe Gibson on HINOWDaily and shares about our Illumination auction and "Celebrating 65 Years of Transforming Lives" television show. 

Announcing Assets' TV Show

Assets is producing a one-hour television show: “Assets School-Celebrating 65 Years of Transforming Lives.” 

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 14th at 8 p.m. on K5, Saturday, April 17th at 6 p.m. on KGMB-TV (CBS) and Sunday, April 18th at 4 p.m. on KHNL-TV (NBC).

Assets School Donates 1,254 Pounds of Food

Assets School's community of #GreatMinds collected 1,254 pounds of food and $300, which was donated to the Hawaii Foodbank for Assets School's first Giving Back Tuesday.

Message from Hawaiian Studies Teacher Mele-Aina Wood

Hawaiian Studies teacher Mele-Aina Wood shares how important it is to pay it forward because someday those children, who have benefitted from your generosity, will be the ones giving back: https://youtu.be/d42FgQzmjws

Robot-assisted Graduation 2020

Special times called for special measures. Thanks to Assets' Robotics Coach, Peter Han, our #greatminds had one of the most unique graduation ceremonies that included a Diploma Robot!

Highway Overhead Shot at Night

Research suggests that because of the freedom we had growing up, which included the freedom to do some foolish things that necessitated taking responsibility for our actions, we became capable problem solvers and resilient individuals.