Abshire and Livermore recognized as 2027 complex area Teachers of the Year in Maui County

Makawao Elementary physical education teacher, Troy “Leven” Abshire Jr., and King Kamehameha III Elementary kindergarten teacher Robert Livermore were recognized as the 2027 Teachers of the Year for respective complex areas in Maui County.

They were among 16 educators from across the state who were named Hawai‘i’s 2027 Complex Area and Charter School Teachers of the Year. From among the honorees, one will be selected as the 2027 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year, HIDOE’s highest teaching honor.

The awards recognize their excellence in the classroom, commitment to students and contributions to their school communities.

The honorees (in alphabetical order by last name) are:

The honorees (in alphabetical order by last name) are:

• Troy “Leven” Abshire Jr., Makawao Elementary (Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui Complex Area)
• Haley Agbayani, Pāhoa Elementary (Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area)
• Fahri Arik, Kūlia Academy (Public Charter School)
• Tammy Carvalho, Kapaʻa Elementary (Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea Complex Area)
• Keao Cockett, ʻEwa Makai Middle (Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area)
• Paul Dela Balazs, Henry J. Kaiser High (Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area)
• Chu Hong, Kaimukī High (Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area)
• Shawn-Patrick Kalani, ʻAiea High (ʻAiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area)
• Robert Livermore, King Kamehameha III Elementary (Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai Complex Area)
• Chezerae Lurbe, Kaʻaʻawa Elementary (Castle-Kahuku Complex Area)
• Matthew Moustakas, Kealakehe Intermediate (Honokaʻa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area)
• Bao Nguyen, Mililani Uka Elementary (Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area)
• Kileigh Sanchez, Waiʻanae Intermediate (Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Complex Area)
• Chad Shishido, Pearl City High (Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area)
• Cheriesse Tolu, Kailua High (Kailua-Kalāheo Complex Area)
• Adam Tuifagu, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary (Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area)

The educators will be celebrated Monday, Sept. 21, at a ceremony at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. During the event, one educator will be announced as the 2027 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent Hawaiʻi at the National Teacher of the Year Ceremony in Washington, D.C. 

In addition to representing Hawaiʻi nationally, the state Teacher of the Year will work with educational leaders to promote excellence in the teaching profession and support Hawaiʻi’s public schools.

The Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding educators from a statewide teaching workforce of more than 13,000. The recognition highlights the extraordinary work of Hawaiʻi’s educators and the vital role teachers play in inspiring students, strengthening schools and shaping the future of Hawaiʻi.

Get to know all 16 award-winning educators.