Scholarships
HEA Scholarships for Current & Aspiring Educators
The mission of the Hawaii Education Association Scholarship Fund is to support the educational endeavors of Hawaii educators, HEA members, and their dependents to shape their future to reach their full potential.
HEA offers a slate of scholarships for public school teachers, administrators, educational assistants, student teachers, college students, and graduating high school seniors. These scholarships assist current and future teachers with professional development and achieving college degrees. HEA has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to hundreds of scholarship recipients in the teaching profession. Our goal is to help you become the best that you can be.
In-Service Public School Educators
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
For tenured and/or permanent Hawaii State Department of Education pre-K – 12 teachers, school administrators, or educational assistants, HEA offers scholarships to support study or training.
Ronald K. Toma Professional Learning
Scholarship Amount: Varies
For tenured Hawaii State Department of Education pre-K – 12 teachers and school administrators, HEA offers scholarships to support those pursuing enrichment opportunities and professional learning.
Student Teachers
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
For student teachers intending to teach in the Hawaii State Department of Education, HEA and the family of Helen McKay have established a Student Teacher Scholarship to minimize the need for employment during the student teaching semester.
HEA Richard Keakahiwa/Wilhelmina Luna Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
For full-time undergraduate students majoring in education and intending to teach in a Hawaii public school, HEA is pleased to offer the HEA Richard Keakahiwa/Wilhelmina Luna Scholarship to assist with college.
Continuing College Students
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
HEA offers college scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in education.
Graduating High School Seniors
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
HEA offers college scholarships for graduating high school seniors who will enroll in any two-year or four-year accredited institution of higher learning.
HEA Carol H. Yoneshige Undergraduate College Students
Scholarship Amount: $3,000
For full-time undergraduate students majoring in education in their 2nd or 3rd year, intending to teach in a Hawaii public school, elementary or secondary level.
HEA/HSTA-Retired Professional Development Grant
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
For HSTA members in good standing and have been HSTA members for at least one year, have a Baccalaureate degree, and have a commitment to continue in the field of public education.
HEA/HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Scholarship Amount: Varies
HEA/HSTA-Retired is offering grants up to $500 each that will be deducted by priority applications until the $5,000 threshold is atttained.
2025-26 Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to our 2025-26 HEA scholarship recipients. These exceptional current and future teachers showcased exemplary skills, drive and dedication to achieve their professional goals and pursue excellence in their careers.
2025-26 In-Service Public School Educator Scholarship
Tiffany Rose Brown
Innovations Public Charter School Tiffany Rose Brown, a performing arts instructor with Innovations Public Charter School in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island, brings valuable realworld performing arts experience and is always willing to take on new challenges to offer more to her students. She is using the HEA scholarship to help support her participation in Windward Community College’s Kaohekani Hawaiian Music Certificate program, “the crown jewel of my personal education.” “This formal music education program allows me to seamlessly blend their instruction in music, drama, and Olelo Hawaii in support of their projectbased learning curriculum,” she said. “I am passionate about continuing my personal development in this area and becoming a more valuable instructor in the classroom and community.” A life-long learner and passionate educator, Tiffany also saw more opportunities for more professional growth, and completed the requirements to become a special education teacher.
2025-26 In-Service Public School Educator Scholarship
Phillippe Fernandez-Brennan
Halau Ku Mana New Century Public Charter School Philippe Fernandez-Brennan, who will complete his Ph.D. in education with a focus on curriculum and instruction at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in May 2026, continually strives to learn and do more. His HEA scholarship will help support his participation in an advanced education course at the University of Hawaii this summer. “This will significantly contribute to my professional growth by enhancing my ability to create interdisciplinary, culturally relevant curricula. This course will allow me to explore the rich history of Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples and their Austronesian descendants, focusing on their innovations in sailing and navigation,” he wrote in his application. “I am ethnically llokano (the Northern people of the Philippine Islands) so the initial migration of the Taiwanese people started in the llokos (Northern) region of the Philippines.” Philippe freely shares his knowledge with other schools and educators. At Halau Ku Mana New Century Public Charter School in Makiki Heights, he has held roles such as curriculum and assessment specialist, testing coordinator, and teacher in focused aloha ‘āina education. His work also includes creating communitybased programming at DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach Public Charter School and leading sustainability projects at Roosevelt High School.
2025-26 In-Service Public School Educator Scholarship
Nathaniel Rey
Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science Public Charter School Nathaniel Rey, a fourth-generation educator who currently serves as a K-6 educational assistant at the Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science in Pahoa on Hawaii Island, will receive a postbaccalaureate certificate in elementary special education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in May 2026. He will be a licensed special education teacher, filling important needs in the Hawaii Department of Education system. “I believe that my own experience as a special education student growing up will be a benefit to the DOE and all the students in my care,” he wrote in his application. “I did not have the best experience, and I learned a lot firsthand about how to better support special education students.” His primary UH mentor is a literacy specialist. “I am grateful that I will be able to support the students with specialized training in reading and writing. I will be watching over each student with individual care and concern to be sure they are serviced in ways that reflect what is best for them,” Nathaniel wrote.
2025-26 Ronald K. Toma Professional Development Scholarship
Shelly Andrews
Kailua High School Shelly Andrews, a school counselor at Kailua High School, will take part in the Breathe for Change, Social Emotional Learning facilitator and yoga teacher training to better support student success by redesigning the school’s existing program and expanding it to help 200 Kailua High School students a year. The training Shelly takes will also benefit Kailua High School teachers and staff.
2025-26 Ronald K. Toma Professional Development Scholarship
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Professional Development Grant
Joy Paul
Holualoa Elementary School Joy Paul, a third grade teacher at Holualoa Elementary School on the west side of Hawaii Island, will take a series of literacy courses to implement a literacy program at her school to benefit students at all tiers of learning to read. This is critical as improving English language arts scores is part of our school’s academic improvement plan for all grade levels. The benefits of a structured literacy study will continue for years to come.
2025-26 Ronald K. Toma Professional Development Scholarship
Jody-Lynn Glickman
Kihei Elementary School Jody-Lynn Glickman, a Kihei Elementary School teacher, will participate in Project-Based Learning (PBL) professional development courses to enhance her instructional expertise and ability to support her colleagues in implementing studentcentered learning experiences. The courses will equip her with a deeper understanding of how to design, facilitate, and assess project-based learning effectively, ensuring that learning is meaningful, inquirydriven, and aligned with real-world applications. As an instructional coach, she will be able to offer professional development sessions for teachers, modeling how to transition from traditional instruction to a more engaging, student-driven approach to increase student engagement, motivation, and achievement across all grade levels and subject areas and enhance student learning outcomes.
2025-26 Ronald K. Toma Professional Development Scholarship
Daphne Miyashiro
Kalani High School Daphne Miyashiro, a librarian at Kalani High School and current vice president of programming for the Hawaii Association of School Librarians, will be attending the American Association of School Librarians national biennial conference to learn about new resources and trends in school library programs across the country. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is the national professional organization focused on school librarians and the school library community, with a mission to empower leaders to transform teaching and learning. “With the rise of misinformation spread across social media platforms and increasing popularity of using generative Al, we need school librarians to teach students how to evaluate and critically analyze the information found online,” she wrote in her scholarship application. “Media literacy and information literacy are crucial skills students (and adults) should be learning.”
2025-26 Ronald K. Toma Professional Development Scholarship
Chikyra Crabbe
Kamaile Academy Public Charter School Chikyra Crabbe, a teacher at Kamaile Academy Public Charter School in Waianae, wants to support the needs of students for whom English is their second language with courses designed to equip teachers. Proper training for teachers helps ensure these students receive the high-quality education they deserve and are equipped to succeed academically. The Hawaii Department of Education can directly impact student outcomes and close achievement gaps. Ensuring equitable education requires that all students, regardless of their language background, have access to effective instruction and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
2025-26 Ronald K. Toma Professional Development Scholarship
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Professional Development Grant
Chassidy Kaaihue
Kamaile Academy Public Charter School Chassidy Kaaihue, a second grade inclusion special education teacher and homegrown educator from Waianae, will be participating in the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Reading Interventionist Program, which directly supports the Kamaile Academy Public Charter School’s academic plan to enhancing literacy instruction and intervention strategies that align with evidencebased best practices. Chassidy will eventually become a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist, and her participation in this program will help her gain specialized knowledge in structured literacy approaches, multi-sensory instruction, and data-driven assessments. These skills are essential in addressing reading difficulties, particularly for students with dyslexia and other learning challenges, ensuring equitable access to high-quality education.
2025-26 Ronald K. Toma Professional Development Scholarship
Aaron Tomasu
Waikiki Elementary School Aaron Tomasu, a school counselor at Waikiki Elementary School since 2010 who is active in the Hawaii School Counselor Association, plans to attend the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) national conference in Long Beach, California, and learn up-to-date information and techniques used by school counselors across the nation. Break out session topics include Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) practices, Al/technology infusion with school counseling, legal/ethical dilemmas, mental health advocacy and more. Ultimately, Aaron hopes to integrate some of the ASCA standards into Waikiki Elementary School’s current school counseling program.
2025-26 Student Teacher Scholarship sponsored by the Helen MacKay Memorial
Anna Marie Nip
University of Hawaii at Manoa Anna Marie Nip, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree in early childhood education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Anna Marie Nip explained that she came from a “family of helpers.” Her personal experience also influenced her decision to be aneducator. “The first day I dropped my oldest son off at head start, I was a wreck. I thought what am I going to do with myself? I left him with his teachers and went home. For six hours I sat and watched the clock tick on by. When it was time to pick him up he had the biggest smile on his face. Before leaving the classroom, he told his teacher, “thank you, I'll be back tomorrow." Every day he told me about his day and all the activities he did. When I decided to go back to school, I chose to take the pathway of being an early childhood educator.”
2025-26 Student Teacher Scholarship sponsored by the Helen MacKay Memorial
Aiya Souphilavong
Leeward Community College Aiya Souphilavong, who earned an associate degree in teaching from Leeward Community College last year and is currently attending the University of Hawaii West Oahu Aiya Souphilavong, who has worked at Kalihi Kai Elementary for the past three years with students in the kindergarten to second grade. She is looking forward to her student teaching semester in the spring of 2026. “I want to become a teacher because I like to help students be the better versions of themselves. I also enjoy the feeling of helping students learn when they finally understand the concepts,” she wrote. “I hope to be a change in my future students’ lives and make a positive impact.”
2025-26 Student Teacher Scholarship sponsored by the Helen MacKay Memorial
Jake Yoshimura
University of Hawaii at Manoa Jake Yoshimura, who will attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the fall semester. Jake Yoshimura will be a student teaching at llima Intermediate School and Waipahu High School. At the UH, he serves as a drum major and section leader of the UH Marching Band and as the principal bassoonist with the UH Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Jake’s dream is to be a music teacher. In addition to the HEA scholarship, Jake was awarded the Richard S. Lum Scholarship, which is given annually to a student in the UH music department for organizing outreach concerts on the neighbor island and investing time to support Kailua Intermediate, Kawananakoa Middle School, Moanalua Middle School, Mililani High School, and Radford High School.
2025-26 Hiroshi & Barbara Kim HEA Undergraduate College Student Scholarship
Kaila Mae Dennis
Leeward Community College Kaila is currently a full-time student at Leeward Community College, and when she’s not at Leeward Community College, she is usually at Mauka Lani Elementary three weekdays, serving in different capacities to learn all she can about the teaching profession. She is pursuing an associate degree and plans to transfer to the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the fall of 2026 to earn a dual Bachelor’s degree in special education and be dual certified in elementary education. Kaila’s mom has been a special education teacher for the past 22 years and inspired Kaila to see the world differently from a young age. I want to be the teacher to ignite that fire within them and make sure their light never dims,” she wrote. “I hope my future students will go out into the world and persevere through any challenge, choose kindness over hate, and be proud of themselves for all that they do.”
2025-26 Graduating High School Seniors Scholarship
Kanoe Haneberg
Granddaughter of HEA Members Herman & Joan Paleka
Kapaa High School Kanoe Haneberg is proud that she comes from a family of teachers, starting with her grandparents who are HEA members. “I have been around the teaching world the majority of my life,” said Kanoe, who graduated from Kapaa High School this past May, while concurrently working on an associate degree in liberal arts from Kauai Community College. She also served as a student helper at Kapaa Elementary School since she was sophomore. Her desire to pursue education as a career can be attributed to the positive role models in her family as well as the inspiration from dedicated teachers, starting at a young age. “My ultimate goal is to move back home and teach at Kapaa Elementary School. I hope to contribute to the educational growth of the youth in my community and foster a love of learning,” Kanoe wrote.
2025-26 Teaching As A Career (TAAC) and Career & Technical Education Pathway High School Seniors Scholarship, jointly sponsored by Pi Lambda Theta-Beta Zeta Hawaii Chapter
Genel Sepada
Mililani High School Genel Sepada, who graduated from Mililani High School this past May, remembers how one teacher made such a lasting impression on her that by the time she entered high school, she already had her mind set on becoming a teacher so that she could also have a positive impact on the academic, social and emotional lives on the next generation of students. Genel was so determined to pursue teaching as a career that she joined Mililani High School’s Teaching As A Career (TAAC) Club and dual enrolled at Leeward Community College to get a jumpstart on her college courses. Genel is grateful for the financial support as she will be attending the University of Hawaii West Oahu in the fall full time and may not have time to work with a full course load. “My biggest goal is to inspire and educate young students to guide them to be the best versions ofthemselves,” Genel wrote in her scholarship application. She is especially interested in teaching high school students.
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Professional Development Grant
Jacie N.M. Miyashiro
Aiea High School Jacie Miyashiro is an exemplary English teacher at Aiea High School with eight years of experience, known for creating supportive, student-centered classrooms that build confidence and engagement. She designs inclusive, culturally responsive lessons connecting literature to real-world issues, mentors colleagues, leads initiatives like HSTA CARES, and recently earned National Board Certification. Jacie is recognized for her dedication, professionalism, leadership, and “Teacher’s Heart,” making her a highly respected educator and valuable asset to any educational program.
2025-26 HSTA-Retired Professional Development Grant
Curtis Ogi
Mililani High School In his third year teaching AP Language and Composition, Curtis Ogi, an English teacher at Mililani High School, aims to make the course more accessible while maintaining rigor. With larger enrollment than other schools, he focuses on learner-centered practices to reduce the elitist stigma of AP classes and provide opportunities for students who might not otherwise consider them.
2025-26 HSTA-Retired Professional Development Grant
Adrienne Yanke
Farrington High School Farrington High School teacher Adrienne Yanke’s PhD work focuses on improving math outcomes for English learners and Pacific Islander students, who score far below proficiency statewide and at Farrington High School. After creating EL-specific math courses, she now supports two cohorts from pre-algebra through geometry using culturally relevant, language-focused instruction. Her PhD work will help develop shareable, standards-based math lessons that better support multilingual learners.
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Stephanie Keseday
Maui Waena Intermediate School Stephanie Keseday will take two to three college science courses to strengthen her content expertise and improve instruction in her special education resource classroom. The grant supports her goal of enhancing science teaching through deeper subject knowledge and updated best practices.
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Vera McCabe-Silva
Kahului Elementary School Vera McCabe-Silva will provide fourth- and fifth-grade students with diverse, culturally relevant books—especially Hawaiʻi-based titles. With personal copies for each student, her project boosts comprehension, critical thinking, engagement, and equity, supported by related classroom visuals and activities.
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Chrystie Isaacs
Moanalua Elementary School Chrystie Isaacs will create a flexible seating classroom to improve engagement, focus, and inclusion. By offering diverse seating options tailored to students’ learning and sensory needs, she aims to boost collaboration, reduce distractions, and foster a dynamic environment that supports academic success and student empowerment.
2025-26 HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Daniel Simeon
Ewa Makai Middle School Daniel Simeon will provide a restaurant-style learning experience where special education students practice table manners, etiquette, and social skills. His general education students will prepare and serve farm-to-table meals, giving all students real-world practice in cooking, serving, communication, and confidence-building.
2025-26 HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Elizabeth Short
Hickam Elementary School Elizabeth Short will develop a themed dramatic play center for Early Childhood Special Education students. Seasonal setups like a pumpkin patch or post office will support Individualized Education Program goals through play-based learning, enhancing communication, literacy, math, cooperation, and independence.
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Elston Fujimoto
Wilson Elementary School Elston Fujimoto will strengthen early literacy and numeracy in an inclusion kindergarten class through targeted small-group instruction. Leveled readers, phonics games, and interactive tools will support differentiated learning, boost engagement, and build academic and social confidence for all students.
2025-26 HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Iona Kaai
Makaha Elementary School Iona Kaai’s Life on the ʻĀina project engages fourth graders in place-based science and social studies. Through weekly farm visits, students study plant and animal structures, practice sustainability, create ʻāina-based products, and build problem-solving, environmental stewardship, and Career and Technical Education skills.
2025-26 HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Maluhia Kekuawela
Ha'aheo Elementary School Maluhia Kekuawela will revitalize the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports store with high-quality rewards to boost positive behavior, reduce disciplinary referrals, and increase student engagement. Collaboration with staff, the Parent Teacher Organization, and student leaders will support a more respectful, responsible school culture.
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Natasha Skaltsas
Ewa Makai Middle School Natasha Skaltsas will implement hands-on cooking projects that build functional reading, math, and collaboration skills for sixth graders. Aligned with Individualized Education Program goals, activities foster independence, cultural learning, and confidence, with progress measured through ongoing assessments.
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Sarah Dennis
Makaha Elementary School Sarah Dennis’ Lei of Aloha project helps kindergarten special education students practice kindness, communication, and fine motor skills by creating monthly leis and gratitude messages. Activities build social-emotional growth, expressive language, confidence, and connection to the school community.
2025-26 HEA/HSTA-Retired Susan Hagiwara Special Education Teacher Micro Grant
Bibiana Ivie
West Hawaii Exploration Academy Bibiana Ivie will enhance inclusive, hands-on science learning through field trips, investigations, and differentiated lessons on sustainability, biology, energy, and wildfire science. Her Fire on Land project engages students in exploring wildfire causes and community response, building real-world skills, confidence, and connections to local environmental resilience.HEA Awards Grants to 13 Aspiring Teachers in Statewide UH Licensure Programs
HEA supports students who are pursuing teaching careers by participating in state-approved preparation programs in the UH system. Funding for these awards comes from a generous grant from the Hawaii State Legislature’s Grant in Aid (GIA) program.
In July 2024, HEA received its first GIA award of $50,000. To date, $36,000 has been awarded to pre-and in-service educators in the state. The GIA program allocates funding to nonprofit organizations, community groups, and educational institutions across the state.
The award recipients by UH Campus are:
- Leeward Community College: Matthew Alsbergas, Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, Joseph Jones, Tuturenga Lyles, Mariah Pate, Ami Phillips, and Keila Yael
Santaella - UH Manoa: Makella Diaz
- UH Hilo: Marc Randolph
- Kahuawaiola at UH Hilo: Piʻikea Lono and Wolfgang Rehmert
- UH West Oahu: Shane-Nah Brown and Ashley Reis
Matthew Alsbergas
Leeward Community College
Shane-Nah Brown
University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Tiani Castaneda-Naboa
Leeward Community College
Makella Diaz
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Joseph Jones
Leeward Community College
Pi'ikea Lono
Kahuawaiola at University of Hawaii at Hilo
Tuturenga Lyles
Leeward Community College
Mariah Pate
Leeward Community College
Ami Phillips
Leeward Community College
Marc Randolph
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Wolfgang Rehmert
Kahuawaiola at University of Hawaii at Hilo
Ashley Reis
University of Hawaii-West Oahu