KAPA'A, Kaua'i — Ten years after it was established, Kapa'a Middle School has some significant successes in science and the arts, but also some significant problems, including a high rate of student suspensions and low reading and math scores that acting Principal Nathan Aiwohi is desperately working to address.

"We've got a multitude of needs in this school," he said. His approach, in part, will be to try to stop reacting to problems and start trying to get ahead of them.

"We don't spend enough time in positive behavior support. That's a major goal," he said.

The sprawling campus is only 10 years old, but some of its features are already obsolete, particularly computers that date back to its opening.

Aiwohi said he has hopes technology will help address some of the academic issues. Members of the community have come forward to assist in bringing the school's aging computers up to snuff.

Aiwohi hopes by the start of the new school year in a little more than a month that its computers will be mostly functional.

"We rely a lot on technology. We can do student assessments, tutoring and a lot more on them. Computers are an absolute necessity," Aiwohi said.

That, and letting the community participate in improving the educational environment — however that can be done, he said.

"One of our challenges is to find a better way to help our kids be more successful," said Aiwohi, who was a sixth-grade teacher when Kapa'a Middle opened in 1997 and whose family has lived in the community for generations.

He left the principal's job at Hanalei School to take over as acting principal at Kapa'a Middle in January, and said he will be a candidate for the full-time position.

What are you most proud of? Kapa'a Middle School students have won numerous art, science and music awards, and other accolades.

Best-kept secret: "The Kapa'a community is filled with so many rich resources — local residents who have skills and the commitment to come out and help. People come out of the woodwork to help."

Everybody at our school knows: Fig Mitchell, who started as a sixth-grade teacher and is now in an administration certification program, and Cheryl Morris, a retiring art teacher.

Our biggest challenge: "This school has been (negatively) in the news a lot. We need to help the faculty and staff focus our talents on the students. That comes first."

What we need: To build partnerships with the community. "When the private sector comes in to help, it can be awesome."

Special events: "Our noncertified staff puts on a lot of our extracurricular activities. They dress up (in appropriate costumes) for every little holiday. They coordinate dances. That group does everything for us."

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.