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Art Fillazar named Lahainaluna High School Foundation executive director

By Staff | Mar 18, 2022

In 2018, the Lahainaluna High School Foundation honored Art Fillazar as its Legend of Lahainaluna recipient. PHOTO COURTESY OF NAGAMINE PHOTO STUDIO.

LAHAINA — Mark Tillman, current president of the Lahainaluna High School Foundation, recently announced the appointment of Art Fillazar as foundation executive director with the retirement of outgoing Executive Director Jeff Rogers.

Rogers has been with the foundation since 2008; first as the development coordinator until 2012, when he oversaw fundraising and construction of Sue D. Cooley Stadium. He served as executive director from 2013 until February 2022.

“I am excited to be returning to the Lahaina community and to continue to give back via the admirable contributions and work of the Lahainaluna High School Foundation. I remember when the organization planted its roots with the effort of my dear friend and former colleague, the late Band Director Brian Kelly,” Fillazar said.

“I hope to augment the alumni base and encourage their engagement with the mission and goals of the foundation. So many of these alumni were my former students, and now they are parents and/or grandparents of currently enrolled Lahainaluna students. I look forward to working with them from a different role. I am anxious to share my ideas with the Lahainaluna ‘ohana in the months ahead.”

Fillazar is no stranger to the Lahainaluna community, as he was a staff member since 1984 at the oldest school west of the Rockies and retired with 30 years of service to the school in 2014.

During his tenure, he served as the inaugural coordinator of the Special Motivation Program. A year later, he joined the English Department.

In fall 1988, he accepted the position as student activities coordinator. He also was the yearbook advisor for his last 27 years. He coined the popular phrase: “Pride & Spirit #1 since 1831.” Fillazar wore many different hats while at Lahainaluna, from helping with the Boarders’ Chorus, David Malo Day and the Hawaiiana Club, to junior prom court choreographer, to name a few.

He was active with the Maui District Student Council Organization and the Hawaii State Student Council, and served as president of the Hawaii Student Activities Advisors.

He conducted several student leadership workshops at the district, state and national levels, including a week-long summer program named “Na Alaka’i Kahua” for Hawaii’s public and private high school student leaders held at Lahainaluna.

He is a member of the California Association of Directors of Activities and was recognized as an Honorary Life Member in 2003. Fillazar was instrumental in coordinating the student-led “Relay For Life” for the American Cancer Society. The overnight fundraiser had participation from all of Maui’s public and private schools during its ten-year successful run.

He was also the volunteer Entertainment Chairperson for the Maui County Fair from 1986-2016.

In 2000, the Maui District Department of Education named Fillazar its Teacher of the Year. His college alma mater, St. Martin’s University, selected him for its prestigious “Distinguished Alumni Award” in 2016 for his service to the Lacey campus in Washington State.

Rob Shelton, a member of foundation board and interview team, remarked that “Fillazar’s connection to our alumni will be a valuable asset in increasing awareness and participation with the foundation’s mission and goals.”

Susan Yap, interview team coordinator, added, “Art brings to the foundation his energy and spirit. We are excited to have him on the foundation board.”

Fillazar is eagerly looking forward to working with the foundation, its scholarship program, its fundraising efforts, and building a strong relationship with the alumni and the Lahaina community.

The Lahainaluna High School Foundation was formed in July 2000 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support the Lahainaluna school community by providing opportunities and resources, and to assist in preserving and perpetuating Lahainaluna’s unique history, culture and traditions.

The foundation envisions a superior high school experience for all Lahainaluna students, and its values include Loina (Tradition), Ho’ihi (Respect), Ho’ohanohano (Honor), Kupa’a (Dedication), Pio’ole (Commitment) and Kaiauli (Community).

The foundation provides resources through various Endowment Funds and specified donations, and it’s able to accept designated donations and get them where they need to be in the school.

For more information, or to contact the foundation, e-mail LHSFoundation@hawaiiantel.net or call (808) 661-5332.