HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced Keaʻau High School’s Freshman Academy coordinator and senior mentor teacher J. Elise Hannigan as the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year. Hannigan received the state’s top teaching award from Gov. Josh Green, M.D., Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Superintendent Keith Hayashi during an Ceremonia de entrega de premios at Washington Place Friday afternoon.

The honor is presented annually to a teacher selected from more than 13,000 HIDOE educators. Hannigan was among 15 Complex Area Teachers of the Year and the Charter School Teacher of the Year recognized today.

“Educators are the true core of our society…We are appreciative of not just you, but the diversity that you represent — you inspire us, whether it’s Hawaiian language, agriculture or culinary arts,” Gov. Green said at the event. “People ask us how we are going to diversify our economy, and it’s very likely going to start in our schools … On behalf of the state of Hawaiʻi, and Jaime and I, mahalo for your sacrifices, for working so hard … and for loving those children like your family.”

Superintendent Hayashi praised Hannigan for her dedication and leadership, highlighting how her work embodies the values of Hawaiʻi’s public education system.

“Elise exemplifies the profound impact that our Hawaiʻi educators have in preparing our students to become globally competitive and locally committed leaders in the community,” Hayashi said. “Her holistic approach to student success, particularly with Keaʻau High School’s nationally recognized Freshman Academy, has created a supportive school culture where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.”

Hannigan has been at Keaʻau High for 13 years and previously served as an English educator, teaching a wide range of grade levels and subjects from ninth-grade inclusion classes to AP English Literature for seniors. She now dedicates her time to the freshmen students, helping to cultivate a supportive and inclusive school culture as they transition to high school.

Since taking on her new role of Freshman Academy Coordinator, Hannigan has reestablished the schoolʻs ʻSummer Bridgeʻ program, which helps new students build connections and a sense of belonging before the first day of school. Keaʻau has seen significant improvements as a result of these types of initiatives — the schoolʻs ninth grade retention rates decreased from over 15% to 5%, and the Freshman Academy obtained certification as a Model Academy through the National Career Academy Coalition. 

Beyond her impact on the freshman class, Hannigan has been integral in developing a dual-purpose program where seniors enroll in an early college course and simultaneously serve as dedicated mentors to freshmen. She also organizes the school’s annual Career Exploration Day, which helps expose students to diverse professions and career paths of community members. 

Hannigan has served as a mentor teacher for new teachers, has served on various committees with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, and CollegeBoard Advanced Placement. 

She earned an associate of arts in early childhood education from Olympic College, a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Washington State University, and a Masters of Education from the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo.

Vice Principal Anthony Rypka described Hannigan as a steadfast leader with a deep passion for her students. “Mrs. Hannigan is an exceptional educator and leader whose dedication and impact on Kea’au High School are truly remarkable,” he said. “[She] has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and an unwavering dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for our students.”

“I’m honored to stand before such an amazing group of people and their supporters,” Hannigan said upon accepting the award before humbly acknowledging that any of the honored teachers could have received the award. “I hope I can continue to represent our school, our complex area, our state and our profession well.” 

Hanningan thanked her family, colleagues and administration at Keaʻau High and the complex area, as well as her students. “[My students] have reminded me over and over that teaching is a privilege and a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. Each day we are entrusted with the future of this world and each day we have the choice to build our future up or tear our future down. I hope that as we continue to interact with our students, that we will not be the voice that says: ‘you don’t want to do that’, and instead says: ‘how can I help you reach that goal?’ Thank you again for this opportunity and for the confirmation that I do want to do this.”

Hannigan will represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program. A national winner will be named this spring in Washington, D.C. THe Teacher of the Year award prizes included:

• Monetary awards to each Complex Area and Public Charter School Teacher of the Year provided by the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Teacher of the Year program’s corporate sponsor for over 30 years.
• A one-year lease of a 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Automobile Dealers Association and Tony Group to the State Teacher of the Year.

The full list of teachers honored today are, in alphabetical order:

• David Adler of Nānākuli Elementary (Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Complex Area)
• Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano of Kahuku High & Intermediate (Castle-Kahuku Complex Area)
• Jessica Canyon of Fern Elementary (Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area)
• Susan Chew of Lānaʻi High and Elementary (Hana-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai Complex Area)
• Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo of Ke Kula oʻ Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School (Public Charter Schools)
• Steve Hanks of Honoka‘a High & Intermediate (Honoka‘a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area)
• Judith (Elise) Hannigan of Keaʻau High (Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area)
• Christopher Justo of Mililani Middle (Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area)
• Jodi Kadoyama of Mānana Elementary (Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area)
• Emily Mendoza of ‘Aiea High (‘Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area)
• Kristel Pigao of Waiheʻe Elementary (Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui Complex Area)
• Dawn Spurrell-Robinson of Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area (Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area)
• Courtney Suma of Kapolei High (Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area)
• Kris Tajima of Kauluwela Elementary (Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area)
• Kathleen Trifonovitch of Maunawili Elementary (Kailua-Kalāheo Complex Area)
• Natsumi Yamasato of Wilcox Elementary (Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea Complex Area)