#teacher of the year
Kaimukī High School’s Chu Hong named 2027 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year
Kaimukī High School teacher Chu Hong, who stepped into a new field and built the school’s agriculture program into a hands-on learning experience connecting students with sustainability, entrepreneurship and future careers, has been named the 2027 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year.
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. From among the 16 honorees statewide, one will be selected as the 2027 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year, HIDOE’s highest teaching honor.
Maui High teacher Janyce Omura nominated for National History Day’s top honor
Two Hawaiʻi educators — including Maui High School teacher Janyce Omura — are among 78 nominees nationwide for the 2026 National History Day Teacher of the Year Award.
HIDOE names finalists for the 2025 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year
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.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers to celebrate Education Week at the state Capitol
Kaunakakai Elementary teacher David “Kawika” Gonzales Jr. and Wahieʻe Elementary reading coach Melanie Teraoka are among a list of educators, recognized by their respective complex areas as District Teacher of the Year. They will be recognized along with their counterparts during the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s Annual Education Week, taking place March 18-22 at the state Capitol.
Leilehua High School’s Jackie Freitas named 2024 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year
Jackie Freitas, a natural resources teacher at Leilehua High School in Wahiawa, Oʻahu, received the state’s top teaching award from Gov. Josh Green and Superintendent Keith Hayashi during an awards ceremony on Oct. 3.
Julia Golding named Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools Teacher of the Year
Julia Golding, a teacher and performing arts director at St. Anthony School in Wailuku, was honored as the Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools Teacher of the Year.
Hawaiʻi State Legislature honoring 33 during Education Week
The Hawai‘i State Legislature is celebrating Education Week by honoring the outstanding work of 33 students, educators, faculty and school leaders for their commitment to educational excellence.