Brother O'Donnell, who has served as Damien's CEO and president since 2000, disclosed his retirement plans Sunday during the school's graduation ceremonies at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

"The last 10 years have flown by," O'Donnell told students.

"Damien went from a school where finances were a major problem to a school which presently is on a firm financial footing."

O'Donnell, 68, is the longest serving head in Damien's 45-year-history. He took the helm at the Kalihi private school after serving seven years as the chief fund development officer for the Congregation of Christian Brothers' western province.

He was also the school's principal from 1997 to 2000.

During O'Donnell's tenure, Damien added a middle school and acquired nearby property to increase the campus's size by

10 percent.

Since 2003, the school's enrollment has grown by 50 percent and is projected to top 600 students next year.

The Chicago native said he wants to stay in Hawai'i and use his background as an educator to work with prisoners here.