Stories About Hawaii Educators
Watch and read stories about the life-changing impact of local teachers and professors.
Community Testimonials
We are honored to share these memories from our community about the impact of Hawaii educators on their students’ lives.
“Mrs. Laura Tavares went above and beyond for her students at Kamehameha Schools, hosting Edgar Allen Poe-themed Halloween parties and Hawaiian cultural events and making malasadas for us. She brightened our lives.”
Gina McGuire
In honor of Laura Tavares
Kamehameha Schools
“Nancy Varner, my 2nd grade teacher at St. Andrew’s Priory, always found ways to shake up our learning, like having us do everything backwards for a day, and made our assignments more fun with stickers.”
Gerilin Chun Zwicky
In honor of Nancy Varner
St. Andrew’s Priory
“I wasn’t a confident kid, but Mr. Fred Trupiano recognized my potential in writing and inspired me to develop it at Liholiho Elementary School. I later worked as a journalist, then an assistant English professor.”
Michael Tsai
In honor of Fred Trupiano
Liholiho Elementary School
“Without Peter Wagner at UH Hilo, I wouldn’t have been as prepared to be a teacher. He always knew how to bring out my best, pushing me just hard enough to not tire me out while allowing me to grow on my own.”
Kaipo Wahinepio
In honor of Peter Wagner
University of Hawaii at Hilo