Former state schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto will become Saint Louis School's first female principal, marking a new era in the all-male school's long history. Her tenure begins Feb. 22.

The Saint Louis board of trustees unanimously applauded Hamamoto's appointment Thursday night, and yesterday morning she was introduced to the faculty, staff and students. At both the middle school and high school student assemblies, “;They gave her a standing ovation,”; said Saint Louis President Walter Kirimitsu. “;It was a totally voluntary and natural reaction.”;

Former Principal Jack Rizzo resigned in November for undisclosed medical reasons. Kirimitsu has served as president and acting principal since then.

Hamamoto, who started her career as a teacher and served as principal of McKinley High School, held the Department of Education's top job for eight years. Her surprise resignation from her position as superintendent at the end of 2009 caused a stir among those trying to find solutions to the Furlough Friday issue. But her planned retirement lasted only about six weeks.

Kirimitsu began talking to Hamamoto in mid-January. There was no connection between her retirement and this new post, and the original intent was to have her join the board of trustees. But her extensive educational background prompted both parties to explore the possibility of Hamamoto becoming an active principal again. Although Kirimitsu consulted with certain faculty members, “;a substantial part of the decision was mine,”; he said. Confirmation from the board of trustees was not necessary.

“;She will be the first woman leader at Saint Louis School in 163 years,”; said Kirimitsu. However, he added that “;gender had no bearing”; in the decision. “;I was looking for an outstanding educational leader, and Pat Hamamoto, with her educational background, perfectly fits the bill.”;

Having a female leader is “;pretty exciting,”; said Jim Morris, executive assistant to Kirimitsu. “;I don't see any resistance to it.”;

Hamamoto's appointment, however, would not influence the school's single-gender history.

“;This morning she reaffirmed her position in support of an all-boys school and reaffirmed her position related to a faith-based education,”; said Morris. “;And those are two important aspects of Saint Louis.”;

Numerous studies reveal that boys learn differently from girls, and Saint Louis is better able to distinguish itself in the community by remaining exclusive to males, he continued.

Down the road, if the school ever considers admitting girls, “;that will be a separate issue for reasons not connected with appointing Pat or bringing a female leader in,”; Kirimitsu said.

Marianists—a Catholic religious order of brothers and priests—have run the school since the 19th century, so Hamamoto's familiarity with faith-based education as a student at Sacred Hearts Academy and Maryknoll School, and later as an educator, helped solidify Kirimitsu's decision.

  Hamamoto new Saint Louis school principal

 

Pat Hamamoto will be the all-male school's new principal.

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“;She's knowledgeable, she's proven and she's a tremendous leader,”; said Ron Hochuli, former Saint Louis vice principal and a longtime school volunteer. “;It certainly shows an open-mindedness at Saint Louis in trying to find the best talent that's available. I think it's fantastic.”;

Establishing Saint Louis as a firm, rigorous academic institution is of the highest priority, said Kirimitsu, and appointing Hamamoto is a huge step in that direction. “;She's just an outstanding educator, and I believe she is very excited about this challenge.”;

Saint Louis School has 650 students in grades 5 through 12, but the fifth grade will be eliminated next year. It traces its history back to the College of Ahuimanu, founded in 1846 by the Catholic Mission, according to the school's Web site. Classes in the current location on Waialae Avenue began in 1928.