HIDOE names finalists for the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education today named 15 complex area teachers of the year and one charter school teacher of the year as finalists for the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year recognition. Maui finalists include Jessie O’Neill-Prest, a Kīhei Elementary Curriculum Coordinator from the Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui complex area; and Jaime “Kumu Eva” Palakiko a Hawaiian language, hula and Hawaiian history teacher at Lahainaluna High in the Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanaʻi-Molokaʻi complex area.
“Each of these educators utilize innovative approaches to cultivate high-quality environments of teaching and learning where students can thrive,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Their passion for teaching and unwavering dedication to student success inspire and elevate our students, staff, schools and communities.”
The honored finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
| Teacher | Complex Area | School | Subject or Grade |
| Leah ʻAiwohi | Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea | Kauaʻi High | Computer Science, STEM and Career Technical Education |
| Ian Cablay | Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua | Waialua High | Music/Band |
| Tennelle Clark | Nānākuli-Waiʻanae | Waiʻanae Elementary | 5th grade |
| Lauren Collier | Castle-Kahuku | Kane‘ohe Ele mentary | Special Education |
| Robin Cone-Murakami Barros | Public Charter Schools | The School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability (SEEQS) | Art |
| Leah Gouker | Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa | Pāhoa High | Social Studies |
| Nicole Laeha | Kailua-Kalāheo | Kailua Intermediate | Computer Science and Engineering Electives |
| Karla “Viviana” Martinez | Honoka‘a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena | Konawaena High | English Language Arts |
| Jessie O’Neill-Prest | Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui | Kīhei Elementary | Curriculum Coordinator |
| Jaime “Kumu Eva” Palakiko | Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanaʻi-Molokaʻi | Lahainaluna High | Hawaiian Language, Hula, Hawaiian History |
| Jonathan Peralto | Hilo-Waiākea | Waiākea Intermediate | Social Studies |
| Jennifer Sato | Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt | Kūhiō Elementary | Academic Coach |
| Bryan Silver | Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani | Kalani High | Career Technical Education: Engineering |
| Erin Takamura-Luu | ‘Aiea-Moanalua-Radford | Red Hill Elementary | 1st grade |
| Sherry Tenn | Pearl City-Waipahu | Waipahu High | Career Technical Education: Natural Resources |
| Kim Virtudazo | Campbell-Kapolei | Campbell High | English Language Arts |
In October, one teacher will be announced as the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program. The honor is presented annually to a teacher selected from more than 13,000 HIDOE educators.
Sponsored Content
