KANE'OHE — Peers and local businessmen have selected Mitchell Otani of Kane'ohe Elementary School as the state's 2007 National Distinguished Principal.

Otani has been principal at the Windward O'ahu school for 16 years and will travel to Washington, D.C., in October to be honored along with representatives from each of the other 50 states and from private schools, Department of Defense Dependents' Schools and U.S. Department of State Overseas Schools.

He was among seven candidates. The others were: Stanley Kayatani, Kalihi-Kai Elementary; Steven Nakasato, Mililani 'Ike Elementary; Clair Yoshida, Konawaena Elementary; Fern Markgraf, Kahului Elementary; Nathan Aiwohi, Hanalei Elementary; and Norman Pang, Holomua Elementary.

People who know Otani say he is a dedicated, hard-working principal who does a lot for children, including taking time from his duties to teach algebra to students.

"He has a real heart for the students," said Debbie Nekomoto, vice principal at Kane'ohe Elementary School. "He does a lot for the kids."

Sports and physical fitness are important to him, so he has organized activities and intramurals for the district, including volleyball and basketball tournaments and track meets, Nekomoto said. Some of the games are outside the school and held on Sundays, she said.

He also organizes the Windward District Physical Fitness meet each year that is held at Kaiser High School, plus he'll volunteer for track meets, Nekomoto said.

Otani initiated and has been recognized for the Recess Before Lunch program, where children go out to play before eating, she said.

It eliminates long lunch lines, settles the children, and improves discipline and appetites, Nekomoto said.

Everything he does, he does with the children in mind, she said.

"He just really enjoys doing things for kids and he wants to see them become successful," Nekomoto said.

The National Distinguished Principals Program was established in 1984 as an annual event to honor exemplary elementary and middle school principals who set the pace, character and quality of the education children receive during their early school years.

Hawai'i candidates are selected by the Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators' Association.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.