The Hawai'i High School Athletic Association's executive board yesterday elected Castle principal Meredith Maeda as its new president.

Maeda replaces Anthony Ramos, who retired as Kamehameha's principal June 30. Ramos, who also had been the Interscholastic League of Honolulu president, served as the HHSAA executive board leader for nearly 10 years.

As the new president, Maeda will preside over quarterly meetings and work alongside HHSAA executive director Keith Amemiya in carrying out the organization's strategic plan. The HHSAA has 87 member schools on six islands.

The board is made up of representatives from each of the state's five high school leagues.

"I really want everybody to work together," Maeda said at yesterday's special meeting. "We need to look at what's best for all of the kids — that's our goal, that's our focus."

Maeda, who also has taken over for Waipahu's Pat Pedersen as O'ahu Interscholastic Association president, will serve a three-year term in both positions.