Former Lahainaluna principal pleads not guilty to felony charges

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A former Lahainaluna High School principal pleaded not guilty in court Friday to multiple felony offenses.

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Public court records show the state attorney general charged Dean with first-degree theft, fraud and official misconduct for allegedly submitting false information in her official capacity as a public servant from 2022 to 2024.

Jeri Dean was wanted on a $200,000 bench warrant for the charges.

The state attorney general’s office says she deceptively claimed a salary while on a Department-Directed Leave, despite not complying with the department’s conditions.

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Dean started with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) in 1995 as an elementary teacher. She became principal at Lahainaluna in 2021, and HIDOE officials said she “separated” with the department in 2024.

On Wednesday, Dean’s attorney, Brandon Segal, said Dean adamantly denies the charges and they will fight the case in court.

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Her trial is set for Jan. 25.