La Pietra - School Heads

School Heads

Joe Pynchon, La Pietra's first headmaster died January 2, 2008. He was headmaster at La Pietra from its inception in 1964 until his retirement at the end of the 1990-1991 school year. He joined La Pietra from ʻIolani School, where he was chairman of the English Department. Born in Boston, he served in Italy and India with the American Field Service in World War II. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., and a master's of education degree from Harvard University. He was a freelance and features writer for Boston daily and weekly newspapers and magazines, as well as for education journals. Nancy White, La Pietra's third Head of School, retired in June 2007 after twelve years. White began her teaching career at Kamehameha Schools in 1962. She also taught at MidPacific Institute, a private school on O'ahu. She was replaced by Mahina Eleneki Hugo, La Pietra's middle school dean.

Mahina Eleneki Hugo was named head of school at La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls, when Nancy White retired. She was the fourth leader of the school and the first Hawaii-born person in that position.

She joined the state's only secular all-girls college preparatory school faculty in 1992. Most recently she was assistant head of school, dean of the middle school and associate admissions director.

The Kailua resident is a 1984 graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy. She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's in education in private school leadership from the University of Hawaii.

While at the university, she was a member of the 1987 NCAA Championship Rainbow Wahine volleyball team. Among the honors she garnered while on the team were NCAA Women's All-Conference Player, NCAA's Most Inspirational Player of the Year and the UH Circle of Honor award.