Hawai‘i Teachers Honored During Education Week

(L–R) Education Committee Chair Justin H. Woodson, Vanessa Ching, Gregg Iha, Naomi Salaveria, Cristin Priolo, Amanda Fretto, Education Committee Vice Chair Sam Satoru Kong. Courtesy photo.

The House of Representative recognized teachers from across the state for their contributions to education during Education Week at the State Capitol.

Erika Kaneo, an educator at Waiakeawaena Elementary School in Hilo, earned the teacher of the year title for the Hawai‘i District.

For more than two decades the Senate and House Education committees have gathered educators, students, school leaders, and organizations at the State Capitol to spotlight the achievements taking place within our schools and communities.

The House also honored the following State Department of Education Teachers of the Year:

• Vanessa Ching, Ewa Makai Middle School, Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year
• Amanda Fretto, Kaua‘i District, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
• Francine Hughes, Maui District, Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai Complex Area
• Gregg Iha, Central District, Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area
• Del Onaga, Windward District, Olomana School
• Cristin Priolo, Public Charter Schools, School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability (SEEQS)
• Naomi Salaveria, Honolulu District, Liholiho Elementary School

“It was a privilege of mine to honor our hardworking educators,” said Rep. Justin H. Woodson (Kahului, Pu‘unēnē, Old Sand Hills, Maui Lani), chair of the House Committee on Education. “It is crucial that we uplift our teachers and do a better job of acknowledging the impact they have on our communities and state at-large. Moving forward, I would like to continue to meaningfully support all that our educators do on a daily a basis.”