The finalists are (top row, left to right), David Adler, Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano, Jessica Canyon, Susan Chew. (Second row, left to right) Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo, Steve Hanks, Judith (Elise) Hannigan, Christopher Justo. (Third row, left to right) Jodi Kadoyama, Emily Mendoza, Kristel Pigao, Dawn Spurrell-Robinson. (Bottom row, left to right) Courtney Suma, Kris Tajima, Kathleen Trifonovitch, Natsumi Yamasato.
HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) today 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.
“This year’s Teachers of the Year exemplify the profound impact our dedicated educators have in preparing our students to become globally competitive and locally committed,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Their commitment to fostering not just academic excellence, but also creativity, resilience, curiosity and critical thinking, is truly inspiring. We are honored to celebrate these individuals who are actively building a foundation for success for our students, our schools, and our state.”
The teachers of the year, in alphabetical order, are:
Teacher | Área compleja | Escuela | Subject or Grade |
David Adler | Nānākuli-Wai'anae | Escuela primaria Nānākuli | 6th grade math and science |
Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano | Castillo-Kahuku | Kahuku nivel alto e intermedio | Modern History of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian Language |
Jessica Canyon | Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani | Escuela primaria Fern | 5to grado |
Susan Chew | Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lāna'i-Molokai | Lāna‘i High and Elementary | Kindergarten |
Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo | Public Charter Schools | Ke Kula o‘ 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-Kea'au-Pāhoa | Escuela secundaria Kea'au | Inglés |
Christopher Justo | Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua | Escuela media Mililani | Agriculture |
Jodi Kadoyama | Ciudad Perla-Waipahu | Escuela primaria Mānana | Curriculum Coordinator |
Emily Mendoza | 'Aiea-Moanalua-Radford | 'Escuela secundaria Aiea | Artes culinarias |
Kristel Pigao | Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihāko'i-Maui | Escuela primaria Waihe'e | 5to grado |
Dawn Spurrell-Robinson | Hilo-Waiākea | Área del complejo Hilo-Waiākea | PreK-6 |
Courtney Suma | Campbell-Kapolei | Preparatoria Kapolei | Career Academy Coordinator |
Kris Tajima | Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt | Escuela primaria Kauluwela | English Learner Coordinator |
Kathleen Trifonovitch | Kailua-Kalāheo | Escuela primaria Maunawili | 4to grado |
Natsumi Yamasato | Kapaa, Kauai y Waimea | Wilcox Elementary | PROVENIR |
In September, 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. The honor is presented annually to a teacher selected from more than 13,000 HIDOE educators.
