The school encompasses the Centers for Hawaiian Studies, Hawaiian Language and the Cultural Garden. Benham received her doctorate from UH. She has worked with various indigenous communities on the mainland and pacific and says one of her top priorities is to make the school a center of knowledge for all of the state.

"And can serve not only as a place of learning for Hawaii, not only as a place for all indigenous people to gather to learn, but also a place for the community to engage, to learn, to thrive," Maenette Ah Nee-Benham said.

Doctor Benham also plans to improve school services for Native Hawaiian students and to show the community how their work at UH is relevant to every day lives.

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