Ed Keyes, La Pietra's longtime Director of Finance, was among a group of educators honored at the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) Annual Recognition Dinner on May 2. Keyes recently announced his retirement after four decades of service to the school.

In an introduction by Brian Chang of Kamehameha Schools, Keyes was celebrated for his long and successful career, during which he worked under four different Heads of School. He began his relationship with La Pietra in the early 70's, when his daughter, Shirlee, was a student. He later joined the Board of Trustees as its Treasurer. He became La Pietra's business manager in 1989.

Keyes was instrumental in bringing the internet to Hawaii's independent schools, and was often the one crawling through attic space to pull cable and wires to connect La Pietra's classrooms to the web. He chaired the HAIS Technology Committee for many years, and has been actively involved with technology initiatives and finance issues across the independent schools.

HAIS also bid farewell to a number of other key figures in Hawaii's independent school community:

Mike Chun, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, President & Headmaster
Grace Cruz, Mid-Pacific Institute, High School Principal
Lily Driskill, 'Iolani School, Assistant Headmaster & Dean of Upper School
Stan Fortuna, Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i, Headmaster
Jane Heimerdinger, 'Iolani School, Director of Institutional Advancement
Pat Ho, Hanahau'oli School, Director of Institutional Advancement
Val Iwashita, 'Iolani School, Headmaster
Ed Keyes, La Pietra - Hawai'i School for Girls, CFO
Kate Mulligan, Hualalai Academy, Head of School
James Nelligan, Island Pacific Academy, Upper School Principal
Ruby Ovitt, Hawai'i Baptist Academy, Elementary School Principal
Carol Riley, Hongwanji Mission School, Former Head of School
Bob Whiting, Holy Nativity School, Head of School
Cynthia Winans-Burns, Montessori School of Maui, Head of School (Ret.)