The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education recently named 15 complex area teachers of the year and one charter school teacher of the year as part of the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year recognition.
The teachers of the year, in alphabetical order, are:
|
Teacher
|
Complex Area
|
School
|
Subject or Grade
|
|
David Adler
|
Nānākuli-Waiʻanae
|
Nānākuli Elementary
|
6th grade math and science
|
|
Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano
|
Castle-Kahuku
|
Kahuku High & Intermediate
|
Modern History of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian Language
|
|
Jessica Canyon
|
Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani
|
Fern Elementary
|
5th grade
|
|
Susan Chew
|
Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanaʻi-Molokaʻi
|
Lanai High and Elementary
|
Kindergarten
|
|
Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo
|
Public Charter Schools
|
Ke Kula oʻ Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School
|
Kindergarten (Hawaiian immersion)
|
|
Steve Hanks
|
Honoka‘a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena
|
Honoka‘a High & Intermediate
|
11th and 12th grade math
|
|
Judith (Elise) Hannigan
|
Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa
|
Keaʻau High
|
English
|
|
Christopher Justo
|
Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua
|
Mililani Middle
|
Agriculture
|
|
Jodi Kadoyama
|
Pearl City-Waipahu
|
Mānana Elementary
|
Curriculum Coordinator
|
|
Emily Mendoza
|
‘Aiea-Moanalua-Radford
|
‘Aiea High
|
Culinary Arts
|
|
Kristel Pigao
|
Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui
|
Waiheʻe Elementary
|
5th grade
|
|
Dawn Spurrell-Robinson
|
Hilo-Waiākea
|
Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area
|
PreK-6
|
|
Courtney Suma
|
Campbell-Kapolei
|
Kapolei High
|
Career Academy Coordinator
|
|
Kris Tajima
|
Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt
|
Kauluwela Elementary
|
English Learner Coordinator
|
|
Kathleen Trifonovitch
|
Kailua-Kalāheo
|
Maunawili Elementary
|
4th grade
|
|
Natsumi Yamasato
|
Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea
|
Wilcox Elementary
|
STEM
|
Next month, one teacher will be announced as the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program.
Photo credit: Hawaiʻi Department of Education
