Former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona will join the administration of his alma mater Saint Louis School as executive vice president of development and recruitment.

Aiona joined school officials for the announcement today at a news conference at the school’s Mamiya Theater.

In his new role, which begins Jan. 3, Aiona will lead the school’s efforts in recruitment and enrollment, fund-raising and marketing.

Aiona graduated from the 600-student Catholic boys school in Kaimuki in 1973 and also served as assistant basketball coach. He has also served on the school’s Board of Trustees since 2001.

He left office this month after the inauguration of Gov. Neil Abercrombie who beat the Republican in the Nov. 2 gubernatorial election.

Aiona did not rule out a return to politics, saying he would reassess his goals in two years and determine then if he would consider another run for governor. He said he has discussed the issue with school officials, whom he said are amenable to his plan.

Aiona will join former state judge and University of Hawaii general counsel Walter Kirimitsu and former state school superintendent Pat Hamamoto in the leadership team at the school. Kirimitsu serves as president and Hamamoto is principal.

"Through his professional career as a family and circuit court judge, the former lieutenant governor learned that it is easier to build strong children than to fix broken adults," Kirimitsu said. "By returning to the slopes of Kalaepohaku, he will be able to assist in the development and molding of Hawaii’s future leaders and community servants. I am confident in his ability to increase the visibility and enrollment of Saint Louis School and in leading the capital development of his alma mater."