Our media partner KITV reports that the principal of Hawaii Kai’s Kaiser High School has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation by the Department of Education.

John Sosa formerly served as superintendent of Honolulu district schools and has worked in the DOE for more than 20 years. It was only in May that Sosa was named among the nation’s top school leaders by the Hawaii Association of Secondary School Administrators. 

But it’s unclear why he’s being investigated. DOE spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said the department isn’t commenting on the investigation until it’s appropriate.

Niu Valley Intermediate Principal Justin Mew is filling in during the investigation. He said he was notified of his interim position last week, according to KITV. 

Photo: Head shot of Principal John Sosa. (Courtesy of DOE.)

— Alia Wong