A university professor and administrator has been named a trustee of the Estate of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the $8.8 billion trust established by the late Native Hawaiian princess to fund Kamehameha Schools.

Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, interim assistant vice provost for faculty excellence and a professor in the political science department at the University of Hawaii Manoa, joins the five-person board of trustees immediately, the university said in a statement.

According to UH, Goodyear-Kaʻōpua has significant experience as an educator, scholar and high-level administrator. She has served as UH Manoa’s interim assistant vice provost for faculty excellence and chair of the Department of Political Science, and has the department’s Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation review.

A UH Manoa professor since 2007, Goodyear-Kaʻōpua helped to build UH Manoa’s indigenous politics program, the university said.

Trustees are selected through a complex process administered by the Hawaii Probate Court. The court appoints trustees to five-year terms, although trustees may petition the court to serve a second five-year term. Current trustees are Robert K.W.H. Nobriga, Elliot Kawaihoʻolana Mills, Crystal Kauilani Rose and Lance Keawe Wilhelm.

Trustees help guide a trust with assets of $8.8 billion, according to the estate’s most recently available tax filings, for 2018.

“The board of trustees provides the strategic direction and focus necessary to fulfill and sustain the vision, mission and values of Kamehameha Schools,” the organization said.

Kamehameha Schools’ mission is to fulfill Pauahi’s desire to create educational opportunities for Native Hawaiians.