Earlier this month, the National Association of Secondary School Principals named 12 finalists for the National Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year and Assistant Principals of the Year awards.
School leaders are recognized for their “outstanding contributions to student success, school improvement and educational leadership,” according to NASSP.
Representing Hawai’i this year is Christine Udarbe, principal of Nānākuli High and Intermediate School.
“Being named a NASSP National Principal of the Year Finalist is a profound honor, but I want to be clear: this recognition is, first and foremost, a tribute to the hard work, dedication and heart of our students, staff and families,” she told Aloha State Daily in response to emailed questions. “I carry the kuleana of leading this school with profound respect for the culture and place of Nānākuli, and I believe this honor belongs entirely to our community. It validates their resilience and signals to the nation the excellence we strive for through Kūlia i ka Nu‘u — to strive for the highest.”
Udarbe added: “Last year, that excellence was validated in a historic way: Nānākuli High and Intermediate attained a six-year WASC accreditation term, our first since 1998. This milestone serves as the foundation for our future.”
She describes her leadership as being “driven by the goal of opening every possible door for our students.”
“We are committed to equipping our graduates with a diverse range of academic and vocational options, so they can step into the world with the confidence to choose their direction, she said. "Our work is about moving beyond the diploma to provide the real-world agency every student deserves.”
In recent years, she noted that the school has integrated three main areas of focus: Pilina, fostering a deep sense of belonging through a culture of dignity; Achievement for All, elevating teaching and learning via impact teams, multi-tiered systems of support and collective efficacy; and High Engagement, deepening relevance through academies, advanced offerings and project-based learning.
“We aim to ensure our students are ‘future-ready’ through robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, Advanced Placement (AP), and early college courses,” Udarbe said. “A point of immense pride for our campus is the establishment of the first student-run federal credit union on campus, providing our students with unparalleled financial literacy and leadership experience. Furthermore, our student internship programs bridge the gap between high school, higher education and the workforce, giving our students the hands-on professional experience they need to thrive.”
Beyond the classroom, athletics and clubs are also designed to help students lead.
“Together with our sustainability efforts and culture- and place-based learning, these experiences ensure our students remain grounded in their identity while striving for global success,” she said. “Ultimately, our goal is to empower them to be leaders for their community.”
Looking ahead, she aims to continue to build upon the school’s foundation, “enhancing rigor and expanding opportunities for our students and their families while staying firmly committed to the heart of Nānākuli.”
Originally from Minnesota, Udarbe has called Hawaiʻi home for nearly four decades.
“My commitment to our students and this community is deeply personal. ... My heart is firmly rooted here, built over decades of standing alongside our families and witnessing the incredible growth and success of our youth,” she said.
She started her career in education 28 years ago, including 10 years at Kaimukī High School.
“My path into the classroom unfolded organically, driven by a simple realization: I care more about the student than the subject,” Udarbe said. “While earning my baccalaureate degree in zoology, I served as a lab [teaching assistant] and discovered that my true passion wasn't the science itself; it was the spark of discovery and the sense of worth that lit up in my students. That connection fueled a career-long dedication to being a champion for our high-needs populations and to ensuring every child feels seen, valued and supported.”
Today, as principal, she most enjoys “supporting others in attaining their goals.”
“Whether it is a teacher refining their craft or a student discovering their path through a CTE certification or a place-based project, being a part of that growth is the ultimate reward,” she continued. “It is about helping every member of our school community reach their highest aspirations.”
For her, finding balance outside her demanding role looks like “grounding myself in the quiet moments, usually by spending time with my dogs, working out, or recharging with a good movie or TV series binge.”
Udarbe and the other nationwide finalists were invited to a gala in Washington, D.C., on April 17, to see who will be named the 2026 NASSP National Principals of the Year.
“These remarkable school leaders are the unsung heroes making schools places where every student belongs and thrives,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe in a statement. “NASSP celebrates their dedication because they prove that innovative, student-centered leadership transforms not just schools, but entire communities.”
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
