Big Island students join statewide effort to build Hawaiʻiʻs teacher workforce

High school students from Hawaiʻi Island will join nearly 200 public school students from across the state Friday for the fourth annual Dive Into Education event at the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, where they will explore pathways to careers in teaching.

Students from Keaʻau, Konawaena and Honokaʻa high schools are among those expected to attend the half-day event, scheduled from 8:45 a.m. to noon on Oct. 23.

The gathering will connect aspiring educators with representatives from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and leaders from the University of Hawaiʻi System and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education.

Keaʻau High School’s Elise Hannigan, the 2026 State Teacher of the Year, will deliver the keynote address.

Dr. Carlos Peñaloza, dual chancellor of Leeward Community College and interim chancellor of UH – West Oʻahu, also will provide remarks.

Participants will take part in more than 20 breakout sessions requested by students, covering topics related to teaching and the education profession.

A Hawaiʻi-focused college and career fair will feature information from organizations and institutions, including Teach For America Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Teacher Induction Center, Chaminade University and the University of Hawaiʻi System.

The event also will feature an Educators Rising competition.

“This is both an important event for our students and all of the stakeholders involved,” said Stephen Schatz, executive director of Hawaiʻi P-20 Partnerships for Education. “We are working together to fill classrooms across our islands with qualified teachers who are rooted in the communities they serve.”

The event will include students from 16 public high schools representing five islands.

To learn more about the ʻDive into Education event, click here.