Contact Information
| Phone: | (808) 623-0808 |
| Fax: | (808) 627-9887 |
| Monday: | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Friday: | Closed |
| Saturday: | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Sunday: | 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Meet the Tutors
Our Sylvan trained and certified tutors are dedicated to your child’s success. Working together with you, we will:
- Pinpoint your child’s learning needs using the Sylvan Skills Assessment®
- Develop a personalized learning plan based on your child’s goals
- Offer unique insights about what will work for your child
- Teach each lesson the way your child learns best
- Build a relationship with your child to provide learning that’s fun, engaging and rewarding
George Naito
Executive Director / Owner
Kai Lee Awaya
Center Director / Director of Education
Hello! I am Kai Lee Awaya, Center Director and Director of Education. I have been working with Sylvan since moving back to Hawaii in 2000. Prior to that I attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where I received my Bachelor's degree in Professional Writing and Political Science. After graduation, I moved to the beautiful state of Colorado and worked in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Colorado State University. Since returning, I attended the University of Hawaii, where I worked on my Master's degree in Educational Psychology.
My son, Kenzo, and I enjoy walking our shar-pei, Sigmund, through the rainy streets of Palolo Valley.
Hal Scholes
Center Director
Hi! My name is Hal Scholes and I am a Center Director at the Sylvan Learning Center in Mililani, Hawaii. I grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA and although I have lived longer in Hawaii than Pennsylvania, I still follow the Eagles. My wife and I are dog lovers and have been involved in Obedience and Agility training. I taught for almost 20 years at the Hanalani Upper School in Mililani. I started working full-time for Sylvan in 2005.
Desiree Cordeiro
Office Manager
Hello, I'm Desiree. I am the Office Manager at Sylvan Learning Center in Mililani. I have worked here since April 2011. Since working at Sylvan I have realized that working with children is a lot of fun. Seeing each student progress in confidence and education makes me proud to welcome others to become a part of the Sylvan Ohana.
Chris Baxa
Instructor
Judy Bolan
Instructor
Since August 1999, I have enjoyed teaching for Sylvan Learning Center. I teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading and Math. I am a graduate of Rhode Island College with an education major.
My experience as a teacher has been in elementary, secondary, and adult education. My teaching career has been varied and stimulating as I have traveled extensively with my husband, a member of the U.S. military. Working with children - one on one at Sylvan - I consider one of my uniquely rewarding adventures.
Lana Chilcote
Instructor
Eunice Espinosa
Instructor
Aloha! My name is Eunice Espinosa and I have been working at Sylvan since 2008. I teach Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Writing, Math, and SAT Verbal. I am a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaii at Manoa where I earned degrees in Spanish Language and Literature, Secondary Education, and Library and Information Sciences. My teaching career began in 1988 as a graduate assistant at UH. Over the years, I have been blessed with many opportunities to help students of all ages achieve their best and I look forward to many more!
Zac Hansel
Instructor
My name is Zac Hansel. I am a sixth grade teacher at Mililani Middle School. I teach math, science, computers and theater. I started working with Sylvan this year. I enjoy working with all ranges and subjects. I teach math, reading and writing at Sylvan.
Keith Hightower
Instructor
I am an 8th grade Social Studies teacher at Wheeler Middle School. My favorite subject is American History with a concentration in the United States Constitution. I have been teaching for three years in Hawaii. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Columbia University in the City of New York, and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Hawaii Manoa. I teach math, reading, and writing at Sylvan.
Roy Higuchi
Instructor
Aloha,
Having been associated with Sylvan since 2005, I have helped students with Math Essentials, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, SAT Prep and Homework Support.
Cynthia Nichols
Instructor
My name is Cynthia Nicholas. I graduated from the University of Hawaii with a B.Ed. degree with an English major. My teaching career began in 1966 when I taught summer school at Kaimuki Intermediate School. I then took a few years off following the birth of my first child. In 1972 I began teaching English as a Second Language at Jefferson Elementary School. In 1977 I moved to Mililani from town. A few years later, I began teaching ESL at Kipapa Elementary School, where I stayed until I retired from teaching in 2001.
My career at Sylvan began in August, 1994. At first I taught Beginning Reading. Currently, I teach Academic Reading, Basic Math, Writing, the PACE Speed Reading program, Study Skills and SAT/ACT classes.
Shirley Shiroma
Instructor
Hi! My name is Shirley Shiroma, also known as "Miss Shirley" to my students here at Sylvan. I have been with Sylvan Learning Center since 2005. I enjoy working with the young children who need help with reading and math skills. I am a retired kindergarten teacher, having taught for 34 years with the Department of Education in Hawaii.
Gwynne Staton
Instructor
Hello, my name is Gwynne Staton. I’ve been a teacher at Sylvan since 2010. I teach all levels of math through Calculus.
I also teach 8th grade math and Algebra I at King Intermediate. I’ve been a teacher for 11 years after having earned a Bachelors of Science in Math and a Masters of Education in Teaching. Just this year I earned my National Board Certication. I also love to dance hula and to travel.
Stephany Taba
Instructor
I have been teaching elementary students for over 20 years. I am certified in Elementary Education and am presently working on my credentials in Middle School Mathematics. I have been working at Sylvan since the end of 2011. My hobbies are music and amateur astronomy.
Katie Whitehead
Instructor
Hi my name is Katie Whitehead. I moved to Hawaii in March 2011 from Alaska and I love it here!! I am originally from Florida. My dad and my husband are in the military so I have moved around quite a lot!! I started teaching high school math in January 2003 then moved on to teaching college math. I started working at Sylvan in January 2010. I teach all levels of math as well as reading, writing and prep courses for SAT and ACT. Teaching is my passion. I love bringing the light to students' eyes.
Michelle Lee
Updater
My name is Michelle. I'm the updater for Sylvan Mililani. I've been working here since 2008, and was a student at the center before that. They helped me pass Algebra II - it works! Yay!
Deanna Elwir
Instructional Assistant
Hi! My name is Deanna. I'm one of the bookpullers here at Sylvan. I've been working at Sylvan since June 2010. I believe that anything is possible with a little hard work and a bit of guidance.
Lisa Grandinetti
Instructional Assistant
My name is Lisa Grandinetti and I’m currently a junior at Mililani High School. I started working at Sylvan Learning Center in August of 2011 because I love kids. Since then, I’ve enjoyed my time with the rest of the Sylvan family and all of the students that I get to see on a regular basis.
Justice Ofosu
Instructional Assistant
I'm Justice Ofosu. I am a bookpuller at Sylvan and just started in March 2012. I am a junior at Mililani High School. My favorite quote is "Hard work pays off. You get what you put in." :) Ok that's all!
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