Kaimukī High School’s Chu Hong named 2027 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year
Also honored were three teachers from the Big Island: Haley Agbayani, Matthew Moustakas and Adam Tuifagu.
Kaimukī High School teacher Chu Hong, who created a hands-on agriculture program connecting students with sustainability, entrepreneurship and future careers, has been named the 2027 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year.
The 22-year Hawaiʻi public school educator on Oʻahu received the state’s top teaching honor at an awards ceremony Monday at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi.
Hong was selected from among 15 Complex Area Teachers of the Year and the Public Charter School Teacher of the Year, representing more than 13,000 educators statewide.
Also recognized were three teachers from the Big Island:
- Haley Agbayani, Pāhoa Elementary (Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area)
- Matthew Moustakas, Kealakehe Intermediate (Honokaʻa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area)
- Adam Tuifagu, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary (Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area)
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi said in a news release: “Chu has shown what is possible when an educator steps outside of her own experience to create new opportunities for students. She has transformed Kaimukī High School’s agriculture program into a place where students are growing crops, developing products, running businesses and exploring future careers.”
After years of teaching mathematics and language arts, Hong moved to agriculture at Kaimukī High two years ago. With no formal background in the field, she sought training to develop the school’s Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources pathway and expand its garden into a Smart Farm. Students now operate vertical hydroponic towers and grow crops including orchids, anthuriums, turmeric and lilikoi.
Through Hong’s W.O.R.M.S. (We Offer Rich Moist Soil) program, students apply their knowledge to growing crops, developing products, managing budgets and operating businesses. Their work has earned first place in the state’s Young Entrepreneurs Program Challenge for two consecutive years — first for strawberry gummies and most recently for turmeric and lilikoi products made from crops grown on campus.
Hong has secured more than $200,000 to expand student learning opportunities and built partnerships with local businesses, retired educators, and community members to provide expertise and mentorship.
She will represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program; a national winner will be announced next spring in Washington, D.C.
Other local educators honored (in alphabetical order) were:
- Troy “Leven” Abshire Jr., Makawao Elementary (Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui Complex Area)
- Fahri Arik, Kūlia Academy (Public Charter School)
- Tammy Carvalho, Kapaʻa Elementary (Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea Complex Area)
- Keao Cockett, ʻEwa Makai Middle (Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area)
- Paul Dela Balazs, Henry J. Kaiser High (Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area)
- Shawn Patrick Kalani, ʻAiea High (ʻAiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area)
- Robert Livermore, King Kamehameha III Elementary (Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai Complex Area)
- Chezerae Lurbe, Kaʻaʻawa Elementary (Castle-Kahuku Complex Area)
- Bao Nguyen, Mililani Uka Elementary (Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area)
- Kileigh Sanchez, Waiʻanae Intermediate (Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Complex Area)
- Chad Shishido, Pearl City High (Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area)
- Cheriesse Tolu, Kailua High (Kailua-Kalāheo Complex Area)
