More than 200 high school students from a dozen public schools on Oʻahu, �鶹��ý Island, and Maui gathered at in November, for the third annual “Dive Into Education” event, designed to nurture students’ interest in becoming �鶹��ý’s next generation of teachers.

From the moment students arrived, the energy was palpable. Many quickly found themselves surrounded by a sense of community and shared purpose.

“My favorite part was being able to connect with people from other schools who are like-minded about education,” said Camille Nino, Pearl City High School student. “It’s comforting when other students are so welcoming and eager to keep a conversation going.”

Future changemakers

Hosted in Leeward CC’s ʻImi ‘ʻIke (Education Building) and sponsored by the �鶹��ý Education Association (HEA), the event featured a college and career fair, guided tours of Leeward CC’s Children’s Center for students interested in early childhood education, and a Tech Slam showcasing high-impact digital tools for teaching. It also offered breakout sessions on topics from teacher salaries to career opportunities within the �鶹��ý State Department of Education.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the life-changing influence of teachers, recalling her own elementary teachers who stayed after school to help her learn English. HEA President Joan Kamila Lewis also encouraged students to see themselves as future changemakers.

Real experiences

Pearl City High School student Jessa Castillo said, “I was inspired by the guest speakers because they shared real experiences, not just general information you might read about online.”

Jeffrey Judd, teacher education professor, added, “It is heartening to see the next generation so deeply interested in what it means to be an effective educator and how they can positively impact their future students’ lives.”

Two alumnae have earned the state’s highest accolades for teaching. J. Elise Hannigan was named the state’s teacher of the year, and Claire Ann Kalaunuola Domingo was named the state’s charter school teacher of the year. Both were recognized at a ceremony at Washington Place on September 19.

Teacher of the Year: J. Elise Hannigan

Keaaʻau High School educator J. Elise Hannigan (UH Hilo, teaching certificate ‘13 and MEd ‘21) was named the 2026 �鶹��ý State Department of Education’s (DOE) Teacher of the Year, earning top recognition amongst more than 13,000 educators statewide.

“Little-kid me would never have believed this was possible,” Hannigan said. “More than anything, it shows that with hard work—and the support of people around you—amazing things are possible.”

Hannigan has spent 13 years at Keaaʻau High, first as an English teacher and now as the freshman academy coordinator. DOE officials and colleagues said her leadership has transformed the campus experience—reviving the school’s Summer Bridge program, mentoring seniors who guide incoming students and helping Keaaʻau earn national certification as a Model Academy.

“With teaching, of course, there are good days and bad days—but there is never a time when I feel like I’m in the wrong place or doing the wrong thing,” said Hannigan, who made the switch from a career in ophthalmology.

Charter School Teacher of the Year: Claire Ann Kalaunuola Domingo

Claire Ann Kalaunuola Domingo (UH Hilo, BA Hawaiian studies ‘97 and teaching certificate from the Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Program ‘99) was honored as the 2026 �鶹��ý Charter School Teacher of the Year. Domingo has worked at Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M. Kamakau LPCS for the past 25 years. She said the school’s nuʻukia or vision—“E mālama ʻia ana ka mauli ola o kākou mai kēlā hanauna a i kēia hanauna (Our spirit of being is nurtured from generation to generation)”—guides her teaching practice.

Each day begins with kilo (careful observation of the natural world) as students count lehua blossoms or feed the school’s goats—a practice she says helps her kindergarteners recognize their own development.

“I would like my students to love learning—in school, with their families, everywhere,” said Domingo.

UH Hilo’s lasting impact

Both Hannigan and Domingo credit UH Hilo’s unique combination of offering a world-class education with personal connections that provide ongoing support for their success.

“All the beautiful relationships I made at UH Hilo have continued throughout my career wherever I have gone,” described Domingo.

Hannigan agreed, saying the strong foundation she built at UH Hilo has empowered her to serve her school and community.

“One of the things that I love about UH is that the connections last forever. We still talk, we still check in with each other, we have each other’s resources available to our students,” said Hannigan. “I’m really appreciative of that.”

Hannigan will represent �鶹��ý in the National Teacher of the Year program in Washington, D.C., next spring.

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Thirteen University of �鶹��ý students preparing for teaching careers have been .

The students are enrolled in state-approved UH licensure programs that prepare future educators for classrooms across the islands.

Funding for the awards comes from HEA’s first grant-in-aid allocation of $50,000 from the �鶹��ý State Legislature in July 2024. To date, HEA has awarded $36,000 to pre-service and in-service educators statewide.

2025 HEA grant recipients by UH campus

• Leeward Community College: Matthew Alsbergas, Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, Joseph Jones, Tuturenga Lyles, Mariah Pate, Ami Phillips, and Keila Yael Santaella
• UH ����ԴDz�: Makella Diaz
• UH Hilo: Marc Randolph
• Kahuawaiola at UH Hilo: Piʻikea Lono and Wolfgang Rehmert
• UH West Oʻahu: Shane-Nah Brown and Ashley Reis

“I am deeply grateful for the Hawaii Education Association scholarship award,” said Leeward CC student Tuturenga Bira Lyles. “Every bit of financial relief not only eases the journey but also serves as a powerful vote of confidence in my path here in the Leeward CC community toward becoming a future educator.”

HEA’s mission is to inspire and advance teaching excellence in �鶹��ý. By supporting students across UH’s four-year universities and community colleges, the organization hopes to strengthen the pipeline of educators committed to serving local communities.

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� celebrated the exceptional achievements of its faculty, staff and students at the 2025 , on April 28 at Kennedy Theatre.

UH President Wendy Hensel, UH ����ԴDz� Vice Provost for Academic Excellence Laura Lyons and Board of Regents Vice Chair Laurie Tochiki recognized this year’s honorees for their outstanding accomplishments.

A video recording of the event will be available on the UH Manoa Awards page at a later date.

Congratulations to all our winners!

2025 UH ����ԴDz� Awards winners

• Mapuana C.K. Antonio, associate professor, public health
• Matthew F. Cain, associate professor, chemistry
• Elisabeth Mehana Makaʻinaʻi, instructor, Hawaiian studies
• Hannah Manshel, assistant professor, English
• Masaru Mito, instructor, Japanese language
• Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, associate professor, political science

• Sloan Coats, assistant professor, Earth sciences
• Matthieu Dubarry, associate researcher, �鶹��ý Natural Energy Institute
• Rick Kazman, professor, information technology management

• Margaret Colleen Rost-Banik, instructor, sociology
• Sara Maaria Saastamoinen, PhD student, political science

• Maya Soetoro-Ng, associate specialist, Matsunaga Institute for Peace

• Dean Domingo, instructor, Ilokano language
• Chad Edward Miller, specialist, teacher education
• You-il (Chris) Park, associate professor, accounting
• Melissa Renae Price, associate professor, wildlife management
• Jennifer D.S. Griswold, professor, atmospheric sciences
• Kaori Tamura, associate professor, kinesiology and rehabilitation science

• Seung Yang, assistant director, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
• John Gestrich, carpentry shops manager, Campus Operations and Facilities
• Marla Fergerstrom, farm manager, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resilience
• Jennifer Frank, physician, University Health Services ����ԴDz�

• Michele Inouchi, administrative officer, Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success
• Roy Tom, machinist, Department of Physics and Astronomy

• Michael Liu, astronomer, Institute for Astronomy

• Kenny Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan, assistant faculty specialist, Department of Information & Computer Sciences

• Academic & Student Affairs Office, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resilience
  (Kayden Iwasaki, Irene Morrow, Maile Sing and Jessica Strenstrom)

• Sladjana Prišić, associate professor, microbiology
• Pei-Ling Kao, associate professor, dance

• Aláine Fiona Lee, undergraduate student, astrophysics
• Kazuumi Fujioka, PhD candidate, chemistry
• Nick Saunders, PhD candidate, astronomy

• Shayla Spotkaeff, undergraduate research assistant, Center for Oral History

Awardees were selected following careful review by the various awards committees, based on nominations and supporting materials across teaching, research, mentoring and service. Mahalo to all who participated in the selection process.

More than 130 high school students and potential future educators learned about the pathways available through the University of �鶹��ý at a recent event hosted by Leeward Community College aimed at addressing �鶹��ý’s teacher shortage.

Dive Into Education 2.0 brought together 137 high school students from eight schools, including Maui, Campbell, Farrington, Kapolei, Leilehua, Mililani, Pearl City and Waipahu, as well as a teacher from Kauaʻi. It featured representatives from UH ����ԴDz�, UH West Oʻahu, Leeward and �鶹��ý CC, and Chaminade University. Students explored educational pathways and learned about various programs.

“It was a great experience learning about what the different colleges have to offer, and getting to meet some of their faculty. I also enjoyed meeting students from other schools,” said Briseis Contemplo, a senior from Pearl City High School.

Breakout sessions provided hands-on learning experiences on building strong teacher-student relationships, using effective classroom tools, and embracing multilingualism. One session encouraged participants to become culturally responsive educators, grounded in Hawaiian culture, through an activity based on the Hawaiian ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (proverb), “Hoʻokahi nō lā o ka malihini” (A stranger only for a day).

“The students really enjoyed this year’s breakout sessions. I am grateful for the support of the high school [Teaching As a Profession] programs, colleges and community partners who helped make this event such a success,” said Tammy Yoon, event organizer and Pearl City High School Teaching As a Profession Pathway lead. “Together, we are shaping the future of education in �鶹��ý.”

Leeward CC Coordinator Jeff Judd said, “Seeing over 130 high school students come together from across the state eager to become teachers and give back to their communities is truly inspiring!”

Osa Tui Jr., a UH ����ԴDz� graduate who began his career as a teacher before becoming the president of the �鶹��ý State Teachers Association, gave the keynote address. He spoke passionately about the importance of leadership in education and the role teachers play in shaping future generations.

The inaugural Dive Into Education was held in 2023, and organizers look forward to holding the event annually.

was awarded $1,194,119 by the (U.S. Ed.) to provide clear, culturally responsive pathways for Native Hawaiians to earn careers as high school teachers without having to leave the island.

According to the Kauaʻi CC Factbook, “Native Hawaiian students fare worse than their non-Native peers. Since the onset of the pandemic, the number of Native Hawaiian students completing a degree or certificate has decreased 24% from 2019 to 2022.”

Kauaʻi CC Director of and University Center Valerie Barko said the grant was established by the U.S. Ed. Native Hawaiian Education Program.

The Ka Lamakū: Pathways into Secondary Education grant will provide free early college classes at Kauaʻi’s three public high schools and at Kawaikini Public Charter school. All students accepted into the online associate of science in teaching program will receive individualized support, student success plans, and be eligible to apply for a $2,000 scholarship.

Another important aspect of this grant will be a full-time project coordinator and Native Hawaiian liaison at Kauaʻi CC with the goal of fulfilling kuleana to Native Hawaiians and �鶹��ý by providing cultural professional development, training faculty on Indigenizing curriculum, and offering student support plans.

“We are a Native Hawaiian serving institution of higher education, and that should be ingrained in everything we do,” Barko said. “Hiring a Native Hawaiian liaison will help continue moving the college towards this goal, and will also help further identify and define what it means to be a Native Hawaiian serving institution.”

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� honored the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff and students at the 2024 . The annual event was held Wednesday, May 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Kennedy Theatre.

UH President David Lassner, UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno and Board of Regents Interim Chair Gabriel Lee honored the award recipients for their achievements.

A live video stream of the event will be available for those unable to attend in-person.

2024 UH ����ԴDz� Awards winners

• Sothy Eng, associate professor, family and consumer sciences
• Kristiana Kahakauwila, associate professor, English
• Martina Kamaka, associate professor, Native Hawaiian health
• Nicole Reyes, associate professor, educational administration
• Stephanie Nohelani Teves, associate professor, women, gender and sexuality studies
• Richard Wallsgrove, assistant professor, law

• Benjamin Shappee, associate astronomer, astronomy
• Malte Stuecker, assistant professor, oceanography
• Donald Womack, professor, music

See the 2023 ����ԴDz� Awards winners and the 2022 winners

• Imelda Gasmen, instructor, Filipino language and culture

• Maximillian Soares Miehlstein, MA candidate, psychology

• Manu Kaʻiama, instructor, accounting

• Louis Bousquet, associate professor, French
• Shelece Easterday, assistant professor, linguistics
• Jonathan Fine, assistant professor, philosophy
• Elina Hamilton, assistant professor, music
• Thomas Quattlebaum, assistant professor, family medicine
• Johanna Kapōmaikaʻi Stone, instructor, Hawaiian language

• Cora Chik, janitor, Buildings and Grounds Management
• Matthew Lam, educational specialist, Department of Chemistry
• Nālani Minton, assistant specialist, Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing
• Dana Singer, secretary, Department Urban and Regional Planning

• Aaron Pietruszka, associate specialist, Department of Earth Sciences

• Jonna Eagle, associate professor, American studies

• Eve Millett, academic advisor, ����ԴDz� Advising Center

• ����ԴDz� Advising Center

• Samir Khanal, professor, molecular biosciences and bioengineering
• Pier-Carlo Tommasi, assistant professor, Japanese language

• Cara Tan, Undergraduate student, economics
• Aldo Sepulveda, Master’s student, astronomy
• Louward Zubiri, Doctoral student, linguistics

• Liam Felix, geographic information system assistant, Office of Systems Integration

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In a bid to nurture the next generation of educators and tackle the teacher shortage in �鶹��ý, Pearl City High School seniors, Hailey Rodgers and Arisa Yazaki, orchestrated the “Dive Into Education” event, hosted at the on November 3.

“We wanted to organize this event because it is important to have homegrown teachers,” Rodgers said. “I just wanted them to stay here in �鶹��ý and become teachers and have their careers here in�鶹��ý.”

The first-ever event was supported in part by a grant from the �鶹��ý Education Association. UH West Oʻahu and its , a Title III grant that supports the middle/secondary education pathway project, provided financial support to host the event on the campus.

Dive Into Education featured a keynote address with advice from a veteran teacher, a panel discussion and Q&A with current education students from different colleges and universities, and a college fair with information about college and university teaching programs in the islands.

The panelists included three representatives from UH West Oʻahu—Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou program participants and secondary education majors—Raymart Billote, Joshua Kamalani, and Makayla Rogers-Tivao.

“I was blessed to have really good teachers … great role models,” said Rogers-Tivao a current student teacher at James Campbell High School. “Just being able to help kids out is one of the most important things that I find about teaching.”

The students who attended Dive Into Education were from Campbell, Farrington, Kapolei, Leilehua, Nānākuli, Pearl City and Waipahu high schools. The colleges and universities represented at the college fair included Leeward Community College, UH Hilo—Kahuawaiola program, UH Mānoa, and the host UH West Oʻahu.

“An event like this, at this scale, really reflects how interested students are in becoming teachers,” said Hoʻopūliko Kumu Hou instructional student support specialist Leiʻala Okuda. “When we see presence like this and the effort that’s being put into an event like this, it really shows how passionate this community is wanting to grow teachers, especially our own teachers.”

Read more at .

—by Zenaida Serrano Arvman

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� will celebrate 30 of its finest faculty, staff and students with various teaching, research and service awards at the 2023 ����ԴDz� Awards Ceremony.

The annual awards ceremony will be held Monday, May 1 at 3:30 p.m. at Kennedy Theatre.

UH President David Lassner and UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno, along with Board of Regents Chair Randy Moore will honor the award recipients and celebrate the accomplishments of these individuals. .

2023 UH ����ԴDz� Awards winners

• Rosanna ʻAnolani Alegado, associate professor, oceanography
• Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker, associate professor, theatre and dance
• Richard Chen, associate professor, law
• Monica LaBriola, assistant professor, history
• Summer Puanani Maunakea, assistant professor, curriculum studies
• Alexander Stokes, assistant professor, cell and molecular biology

• Kenneth Chambers, astronomer, astronomy
• Jeffrey Drazen, professor, oceanography
• Shadia Habbal, astronomer/faculty chair, astronomy

• E. Kalikoaloha Martin Jr., instructor, Hawaiian language

• Manca Sustarsic, PhD candidate, educational foundations

• Chet-Yeng Loong, professor, music

• Mary Shin Kim, associate professor, Korean linguistics
• Hannah-Hanh Nguyen, associate professor, management
• Kevin Nute, professor, architecture
• Jayson Parba, instructor, Filipino language and culture
• Tyler Ray, assistant professor, mechanical engineering
• Jamie Simpson Steele, professor, education

• Maggie McGehee, university scheduler, Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Excellence
• Siausage (Sonny) Ugaitafa, equipment operator, Campus Operations
• Elaine Nakahashi, secretary, Department of Anthropology
• Thomas Tsutsumoto, junior specialist, ����ԴDz� Career Center

• Winona Lee, associate professor/director, John A. Burns School of Medicine

• Kathryn Braun, professor, public health

• Siobhán Ní Dhonacha, faculty specialist/academic advisor, Honors Program

• Wendy Kawabata, professor, art and art history
• Craig Nelson, associate researcher, oceanography

• Jason Hinkle, PhD candidate, astronomy
• Xiaojie (Sherry) Xu, PhD candidate, mechanical engineering

• Binierose Cacho, special programs coordinator, Office of Enrollment Management

alumna Lydia Saffery was selected as one of 12 literacy educators nationwide to receive the 2021–22 (NCTE) Early Career Educator of Color Leadership Award. Saffery, who currently teaches at Waiʻanae High School, graduated from UH West Oʻahu in 2018 with a in and a .

The supports early career teachers of color as they build accomplished teaching careers in literacy education. Honorees benefit from professional learning opportunities, mentorship and access to a network of peers from across the country.

“I was excited to use the resources and mentorship that was afforded to us through this award to benefit the students at Waiʻanae High School,” said Saffery.

Being able to provide for her students in such a way is meaningful for Saffery, who is from Mākaha. She views teaching as a career that allows her to give back to the community that raised her.

When Saffery applied for the award, she said she wasn’t sure that she would get it, but thought it was worth a try. She received great encouragement from her UH West Oʻahu professors.

“Our job as faculty is to recognize the gifts our students have and help them to bring that gift forward into their career and life, even beyond our time with them at UH West Oʻahu,” said Cathy Ikeda, assistant professor of middle level and secondary English. “Lydia is a gifted writing teacher.”

Empowering students

UH West Oʻahu’s program instilled in Saffery the instructional values of student empowerment through “choice and voice in the classroom,” which she now carries into her teaching practice.

“My main goal as a teacher is to empower students through the instruction in my classroom and my interactions with my professional community,” Saffery said. “As a student at UH West Oʻahu, I was trained to curate materials and create classroom experiences that put students’ experiences—as children of �鶹��ý—at the center of instruction.”

In recent years, Saffery has presented at the 2020 NCTE about teaching writing during the time of COVID, and is also a teacher consultant for the (which introduces educators to practices that will motivate students and teachers). She will start her doctoral program at UH ����ԴDz� this summer.

“She has been able to take her gift and use that gift to make change at Waiʻanae High School and with our current candidates as a mentor teacher for us (at UH West Oʻahu),” said Ikeda.

Read more at .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman