Damien Announces New President/CEO
Dr. Arnold Laanui
Class of 86’
Damien Memorial School (DMS), a Catholic co-educational school serving grades 6 - 12, announces after a long and rigorous search process that Arnold Laanui, Jr., JD, EdD, a 1986 alumnus, will be returning to his Alma Mater as its 4th President. During the intervening years, Dr. Laanui has had distinguished careers with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and most recently with the Hawaii Department of Education. Laanui holds a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Hawaii - Richardson School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts - Political Science degree from Pepperdine University.
"Returning to my alma mater as the next President and CEO of Damien Memorial School fills my heart with the deepest sense of obligation, humility and joy. To serve our students, our faculty, our staff, our parents, and our graduates in this capacity will stand among the highest kudos of my professional life. I am deeply honored for the opportunity to “come home” and to share the best of who I am with Damien," says Dr. Arnold Laanui.
Serving as both Head of School and Principal since 2020, current interim Head of School, Kyle J. Atabay, EdD, a 1984 alumnus, will resume his role as Principal. Atabay was first hired as Principal in 2018. “We operate under a President - Principal model and enthusiastically look forward to the collaborative leadership of our distinguished alumni, Dr. Laanui and Dr. Atabay,” says Ms. Betsey Gunderson, Board Chair.
Established in 1962 as an all-boys high school, DMS is one of 18 Catholic schools and colleges within the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America Consortium. In 2004, DMS opened its middle school, and welcomed its first female students in 2012. DMS is fully accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), WCEA (Western Catholic Education Association), HSC (Hawaii Catholic Schools), and HAIS (Hawaii Association of Independent Schools). For more information, please visit us at www.damien.edu.