Most people, especially students, face the challenge of discovering a career. Among those people was Principal Ron Okamura.

In fact, becoming a principal for Okamura was not one of his options at one point. Since third grade, Okamura had the biggest desire to become the first Japanese NFL player, yet as he got older his dream developed more for the culinary field.

“I wanted to be a chef because I love cooking and I love eating obviously,” Okamura said.

His brother-in-law, who was an executive chef, advised that the real money comes from owning a restaurant and one must have knowledge of business. Therefore, Okamura entered college as a business major.

By the time he reached his junior year of college, Okamura started working at the YMCA across from the University of Hawaii. His job was to recruit seniors from high school and that required meeting various people. Okamura’s goal then transformed to education.

Several people that knew Okamura thought he was going to be a teacher for physical education, but there weren’t many jobs for it and Okamura wanted to make a bigger impact.

Thus, he went back to college, earned his master’s degree and obtained his certification in administration. He was in Maui for 18 years before becoming the principal of McKinley High School.

Today, McKinley High School is one of the top high schools in Oahu according to usnews.com and it has one of the greatest reputations on the island as a highly prestigious school.

“I tell them that I am the principal of McKinley High School and people will treat me very differently,” Okamura said.