The search for a new public school chief in Hawaii is one step closer. The state Board of Education unveiled on its website Friday the three finalists for the superintendent position at the Department of Education. 

The finalists include interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi, former BOE member Darrel Galera, and Caprice Young, president of an education consulting group in Los Angeles. 

The three finalists were selected from 27 applicants and approved by the board’s search committee. 

Hayashi has been leading the DOE since Aug. 1 when former Superintendent Christina Kishimoto stepped down amid criticism over her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The board has faced criticism for taking so long to choose a new superintendent to replace her.

The search committee will present the finalists before the full board on Thursday.