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Stories About Hawaii Educators

Watch and read stories about the life-changing impact of local teachers and professors.

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#MyAwesomeTeacher

Our teachers are great sources of encouragement, inspiration, and positive life transformations. Many of us have had a teacher who made a major impact on our lives or helped us to simply do better.

Here, HEA showcases testimonials about amazing teachers to highlight the importance of our local educators. These stories were collected and featured throughout our website, newsletter, and social media in 2021 as part of our 100th anniversary celebration.

Community Testimonials

We are honored to share these memories from our community about the impact of Hawaii educators on their students’ lives.

“I struggled with long division at Punahou School until Miss Lani Ann Tomita pointed out it’s the opposite of multiplication. I still recall her joy when I aced the next homework, and that’s why I’m a math teacher.”

Janet Oshiro

In honor of Lani Ann Tomita

Punahou School

“Judith Naniole was my surrogate mom at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama. She encouraged me to compete in statewide speech competitions and the Hawaii’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program, which funded my UH degree.”

Marsha Bolson

In honor of Judith Naniole

Kamehameha Schools Kapalama

“My success now traces back to when I was finding myself in my 8th grade English honors class at Kalakaua Intermediate School. Ms. Lois-Ann Yamanaka encouraged me to get out of my shell and pursue my dreams.”

Clayton Wakida

In honor of Lois-Ann Yamanaka

Kalakaua Intermediate School

“I didn’t have a role model growing up, but Mr. Marc Kawahara at Farrington High School pushed me to shoot for the stars. Because he believed in me, I graduated with honors and college scholarships.”

Barbara Martin

In honor of Marc Kawahara

Farrington High School