- 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 | 複合施設エリア | 学校 | Subject or Grade |
David Adler | ナナクリ・ワイアナエ | ナナクリ小学校 | 6th grade math and science |
Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano | キャッスル・カフク | カフク高等学校および中等学校 | Modern History of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian Language |
Jessica Canyon | ファリントン・カイザー・カラニ | ファーン小学校 | 5年生 |
Susan Chew | ハナ-ラハイナルナ-ラナイ-モロカイ島 | Lanai High and Elementary | 幼稚園 |
Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo | Public Charter Schools | Ke Kula oʻ Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School | Kindergarten (Hawaiian immersion) |
Steve Hanks | ホノカア-ケアラケヘ-コハラ-コナワエナ | Honoka‘a High & Intermediate | 11th and 12th grade math |
Judith (Elise) Hannigan | Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa | ケアアウ高校 | 英語 |
Christopher Justo | レイレフア・ミリラニ・ワイアルア | ミリラニ中学校 | Agriculture |
Jodi Kadoyama | パールシティ・ワイパフ | マナナ小学校 | Curriculum Coordinator |
Emily Mendoza | アイエア・モアナルア・ラドフォード | アイエア高校 | 料理芸術 |
Kristel Pigao | ボールドウィン・ケカウリケ・クラニハコイ・マウイ | ワイヘエ小学校 | 5年生 |
Dawn Spurrell-Robinson | ヒロ・ワイアケア | ヒロ・ワイアケア複合エリア | PreK-6 |
Courtney Suma | キャンベル・カポレイ | カポレイ高校 | Career Academy Coordinator |
Kris Tajima | カイムキー・マッキンリー・ルーズベルト | カウルウェラ小学校 | English Learner Coordinator |
Kathleen Trifonovitch | カイルア・カラヘオ | マウナウィリ小学校 | 4年生 |
Natsumi Yamasato | カパア・カウアイ・ワイメア | Wilcox Elementary | 幹 |
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.