Before retiring, Donna was Executive Director of the Pacific Tsunami Museum after her role as principal of Hilo High School. Her philosophy of encouragement was prevalent in all aspects of her work. Much of her time was spent developing and initiating programs such as off-campus neighborhood tutorial centers, a teen-parent child care center, and a school-within-a-school for ninth graders - all dedicated to maximizing student potential. Ms. Saiki added the personal touch by meeting with all students who fail to manage a 2.0 grade point average. She wrote congratulatory letters for improvement, inspiring both personal growth and a desire for academic excellence. The creation of a Youth Development Project at Waiakea Intermediate School illustrated Ms. Saiki's determination to see all students succeed.
