Maui County students to attend ‘Dive Into Education’ Event at UH West O‘ahu, Oct. 23

Nearly 200 high school students from Hawai‘i public schools statewide who aspire to be the state’s future teachers will attend the fourth annual Dive Into Education event this Friday, Oct. 23, at University of Hawai‘i West Oʻahu. 

This half-day event will take place from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will bring together students, representatives from the Hawai‘i State Legislature, and leaders from the University of Hawai‘i System and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education.

The 2026 State Teacher of the Year, Elise Hannigan of Kea‘au High School, will serve as the keynote speaker. Remarks will also be delivered by Dr. Carlos Peñaloza, dual Chancellor of Leeward Community College and Interim Chancellor of the University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu.

Throughout the morning, attendees will learn about various aspects of teaching as a profession and participate in more than 20 student-requested breakout sessions covering a range of education-related topics. A Hawai‘i-focused college and career fair will also feature resource tables from organizations and institutions including Teach For America Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Teacher Induction Center, Chaminade University, and the University of Hawai‘i System, among others.

Dive Into Education will also feature an Educator Rising competition, an advisor-led student organization that connects members with classroom observation opportunities, teacher mentors, statewide events, and other experiences designed to help students explore and prepare for careers in education.

“This is both an important event for our students and all of the stakeholders involved,” said Stephen Schatz, Executive Director of Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education. “We are working together to fill classrooms across our islands with qualified teachers who are rooted in the communities they serve.”

Sixteen high schools representing five islands will participate in this year’s event: Campbell, Farrington, Honoka‘a, Kailua, Kalani, Kapolei, Kea‘au, Konawaena, Leilehua, Maui, Mililani, Moloka‘i, Pearl City, Waiʻanae, Waimea, and Waipahu high schools.

The 2026 Dive Into Education event is made possible by Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education in cooperation with contributions and support from the University of Hawai‘i System, the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board, Hawai‘i State Teachers Association, and Hawai‘i Education Association.