Hui for Excellence in Education, or “HE‘E,” is a statewide coalition of diverse stakeholders committed to working collaboratively to identify opportunities to improve public education in Hawai‘i. HE‘E seeks to be the focal point for community and parent engagement while serving as a public resource for educational policy.
HE‘E was formed in May 2010 by parents and community members who stood up and said “no” to school furloughs and “yes” to re-establishing education as a public priority.
He Moku, He Wa’a, He Moku
Hawai‘i’s application for the Race to the Top cited the metaphor of a canoe with paddlers working together toward education reform. The motto, “He Moku, He Wa’a, He Moku,” or “an island, a canoe; a canoe, an island” was used to suggest that educational transformation can only be accomplished collaboratively. HE‘E stands ready to support and represent parents and the greater community as paddlers in our canoe.
We invite you to join in our collaborative effort for public education transformation.
For more information, please contact Deborah Bond-Upson, Interim Director, at Director@HEEcoalition.org or use the contact form.
HE‘E is funded by The Learning Coalition..
Today, June 10th, 2025 we are pleased to announce a search for a permanent director:
Brief Position Summary –
The HEʻE Coalition Director serves as the network’s secretariat leading the coalition’s strategic direction, overseeing operations, building and maintaining critical relationships, and serves as the primary advocate and spokesperson for the coalition. This role requires a politically astute, relationship-oriented leader with a strong understanding of Hawaiʻi’s educational and policy landscape. The Director must effectively balance being both a critical voice and a collaborative partner to public institutions.
We welcome your interest or application!
Click here to open the Director Position Description.
Please share this with others who may be interested.
Application next steps are described in the Director Position Description.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.