The state’s top principal has led Salt Lake Elementary since 2002.

The Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association named Duwayne Abe as the state’s top principal for 2014.

The state Department of Education says Abe was appointed vice principal of the school in 1988 and became principal in 2002.

Abe will travel to Washington, D.C. in October for an event honoring distinguished principals nationwide.

Other nominees included Rochelle Mahoe of Noelani Elementary, Stacie Kunihisa of Kanoelani Elementary, Pua McElhaney of Enchanted Lake Elementary, Joe Yamamoto of Maunaloa Elementary and Sherry Gonsalves of Kilauea Elementary.