Big Isle principal wins $25K Tokioka award

Naalehu Elementary School Principal Darlene Javar, who is credited with supporting new and seasoned teachers to be effective educators, has received the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award, which comes with a $25,000 prize.

The award is presented annually by Island Insurance Foundation to a public school principal who is “visionary, community-minded and has an entrepreneurial spirit,” in honor of Tokioka, founder of Island Insurance Co. It was announced Thursday at the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation dinner at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

“Principal Javar exemplifies the type of leadership that can transform our public schools into model learning institutions,” Tyler Tokioka, president of the Island Insurance Foundation, said in a news release.

Javar, who has been an educator at Naalehu Elementary for seven years, established a new teacher academy for incoming teachers at the Hawaii island school. The academy ensures teachers have an initial level of understanding as well as additional financial support before the start of the school year.

She also is credited with fostering a welcoming environment for a culturally diverse campus whose students face socioeconomic challenges.

“The beauty in the surrounding environment often masks the very unique struggle of our families and communities,” Christina Juan, the school’s vice principal, said in a statement. “With the many challenges faced throughout the year, Principal Javar has made it her mission to provide her students with a safe, happy nurturing learning environment that they need in order to thrive.”

Javar received a $10,000 cash award plus $15,000 for a school project of her choice.

She plans to use the money to expand the school’s garden project. Given the school’s remote location — 63 miles from Hilo, in the island’s southernmost community — many students live in areas with unproductive soil and lack a consistent water source, according to the school. Lessons teach students techniques for the area’s rugged landscape and promote healthy choices.

“The beauty of school gardens is that students engage in hands-on scientific research and observations,” Alison Yahna, parent community network coordinator at Naalehu Elementary, said in a statement. “Academic scores improve because education becomes exciting, relevant and applied. Students get to solve real-world problems and invent real-world solutions to the challenges our community faces as they interact with local farmers and entrepreneurs.”