Californian jumps at chance to head Hilo High
| • | Waialua Complex reaches into community |
| • | HPU honors distinguished alumni |
| • | Two named to replace outgoing UH regents |
By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai'i — When Alfosina Davies became principal of Hilo High School this spring, she described her job as "a dream come true."
Hugh Clark • The Honolulu Advertiser
The California woman first came to Hilo in 1968 as the daughter of a math teacher on a summer assignment. The youngster took swimming lessons at the school pool.
Alfosina Davies, Hilo High's new principal, spent a summer in Hilo as a child and always wanted to return.
When summer ended and she left Hawai'i, Davies intended to return some day. She made sure that her credits and degrees from Point Loma College in San Diego and Northern Arizona University, where she earned a doctorate, would be recognized in Hawai'i.
When the Department of Education was unable to find a local candidate for the Hilo High post, Davies, who is single, was ready to step in and left her position as deputy superintendent in Santa Ana, Calif., even though it meant a pay cut. Her retired parents live in Kona.
One thing already has become clear to Davies.
"There's a tremendous level of support here," she said.
Hilo High is the oldest school on the Big Island and the second largest. It has a variety of high-achieving programs, including an Academic Decathlon and mock trial teams that have won numerous state titles. Hilo High's Performing Arts Learning Center is the island's magnet school for students interested in music and drama.
In sports, Hilo High's Vikings have won their share of state basketball titles and have turned out exceptional efforts in everything from girls' track and field to volleyball and baseball.
Hilo High's campus is a mixture of old buildings and additions, many improvised. The student body includes third- and fourth-generation Vikings and newcomers to the Big Island.
Hilo High is one of two public schools in the state with an alumni-financed foundation underwriting needs the state can't fill. The other is McKinley High School in Honolulu.
Both Hilo and Waiakea High, the island's largest school, were without principals earlier this year for a sheer lack of candidates. District Superintendent Danford Sakai said low pay and immense responsibilities made it difficult to find local candidates.
Sakai said the Hilo High principal's job was posted statewide on three occasions after John Masuhara retired in June. When no one applied for the job, the vacancy was opened up to Mainland candidates.
Judith Sranchock, formerly principal of Ala Wai Elementary School on O'ahu, started recently as principal at Waiakea.
