Our Team
If you have questions or would like to schedule a tour, please contact our Preschool Director, Karen Maluo at (808) 841-7022, ext. 723 or karen.maluo@kalihiunion.org.
Karen Maluo, DIRECTOR
Mrs. Karen Maluo was born and raised on the island of Maui. She has been an educator for over 20 years in both the public and private educational systems. Karen has built several private Christian Schools; the largest being located on the Leeward side of Oahu that serviced ages Preschool to Grade 8. Her passion is children and their families and she strives to create a safe and loving place for children to come and learn about Jesus while developing their academic skills for a successful future.
Karen is a learner. She has earned two masters; one in Elementary Education and the other in Business Administration. She loves to use all of her talents and expertise towards building the kingdom of God.
Cheryl Nagata, Teacher
Cheryl has been teaching at Kalihi Union Church Preschool for 15 ½ years. Cheryl enjoys teaching preschoolers teaching preschoolers because of their willingness to try new things and their love of learning. Play is an important learning language that preschoolers use to understand the world around them, and helps prepare them for academic learning. She was born and raised in Honolulu and some of her hobbies include drawing cartoons and comic book characters and reading.
Cheryl’s favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Debbie Miyaji, Teacher
My name is Debbie Miyaji, I am the Jr. Kindergarten teacher. I’ve been in the educational field as a teacher and a director for 32 years. I graduated from Honolulu Community College with a AA in Early Childhood Education.
I love working, teaching & playing with the children. My goals are to prepare children for Kindergarten as well as teach them about God through gardening. By planting seeds & nurturing them children can come to know who God is.
I was born in San Jose California but raised in Kaimuki. I have two boys; Reinton who is 24 years old & Jephthah who is 11 years old.
Millie Yoshimoto, Teacher Assistant
Millie is an experienced, fun-loving, humorous, dynamic teacher’s assistant at Kalihi Union Church Preschool. She has been working here for 37 years. She is the youngest of 5 children to Dan and Kay Yoshimoto. Influenced by her proud Okinawan father, Millie wrote a book called; “Hairy jokes for Hairy folks.” Her hobbies are photography, reading the Bible, writing, poetry, playing scrabble, doing puzzles, watching UH sports and she loves NCAA/NFL football. Millie is a long time member of Kalihi Union Church. Jesus is her first love.
Her goals in life are to love GOD, love and serve others well. Her advice to all, “Be nice is my advice.” Words she lives by.
We would love to have you visit our campus and meet our preschool/church family. Please call our preschool office (808) 841-7022, ext. 723 and schedule your visit with us today.