HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced Keaʻau High School’s Freshman Academy Coordinator and senior mentor teacher Judith ‘Elise’ Hannigan as the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year. Hannigan received the state’s top teaching award from Gov. Josh Green and Superintendent Keith Hayashi during an awards ceremony at Washington Place this afternoon.

The honor is presented annually to a classroom teacher selected from more than 13,000 HIDOE educators. Hannigan was among 15 Complex Area Teachers of the Year and the Charter School Teacher of the Year recognized today.

“Thank you, teachers, for setting the standard and for carrying this forward. We’re humbled to be with educators of your stature,” Gov. Josh Green said at the event. “On behalf of the entire state, congratulations to all of you. We’re grateful that you stayed in education. Mahalo for all of your work and caring for our keiki.”

“Elise exemplifies the profound impact that our Hawaiʻi educators have in preparing our students to become globally competitive and locally committed leaders in the community,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Her holistic approach to student success, particularly with Keaʻau High School’s nationally recognized Freshman Academy, has created a supportive school culture where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.”

Hannigan has been at Keaʻau High for 13 years and previously served as an English educator, teaching a wide range of grade levels and subjects from ninth-grade inclusion classes to AP English Literature for seniors. She now dedicates her time to the freshmen students, helping to cultivate a supportive and inclusive school culture as they transition to high school.

Since taking on her new role of Freshman Academy Coordinator, Hannigan has reestablished the schoolʻs ʻSummer Bridgeʻ program, which helps new students build connections and a sense of belonging before the first day of school. Keaʻau has seen significant improvements as a result of these types of initiatives — the schoolʻs ninth grade retention rates decreased from over 15% to 5%, and the Freshman Academy obtained certification as a Model Academy through the National Career Academy Coalition.

Beyond her impact on the freshman class, Hannigan has been integral in developing a dual-purpose program where seniors enroll in an early college course and simultaneously serve as dedicated mentors to freshmen. She also organizes the school’s annual Career Exploration Day, which helps expose students to diverse professions and career paths of community members.

Hannigan has served as a mentor teacher for new teachers, has served on various committees with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, and CollegeBoard Advanced Placement.

She earned an associate of arts in early childhood education from Olympic College, a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Washington State University, and a Masters of Education from the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo.

Vice Principal Anthony Rypka described Hannigan as a steadfast leader with a deep passion for her students. “Mrs. Hannigan is an exceptional educator and leader whose dedication and impact on Kea’au High School are truly remarkable,” he said. “[She] has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and an unwavering dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for our students.”

“It’s an incredible honor to stand before you guys as the 2025 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year,” said Silver in his acceptance speech before an audience that included his father, mother and aunt. He said his mom, who was an educator for 36 years, was a big inspiration for him to go into teaching.

He also expressed gratitude for his cohort of educators. “Teaching is never a solo journey,” he said. “No risk is taken alone. We are part of the larger community that supports and uplifts each other. If we work together, share strategies, and support one another we become better educators. We are better together than we are alone, so let’s melt down the walls.”

Hannigan will represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program. A national winner will be named this spring in Washington, D.C. Today’s Teacher of the Year award prizes included:

• Monetary awards to each Complex Area and Public Charter School Teacher of the Year provided by the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Teacher of the Year program’s corporate sponsor for over 30 years.
• A one-year lease of a 2024 Nissan Sentra SV courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Automobile Dealers Association and Tony Group to the State Teacher of the Year.

The full list of teachers honored today are, in alphabetical order:

• David Adler of Nānākuli Elementary (Nānākuli-Waiʻanae complex area)
• Josette (Kaleo) Akim Hanohano of Kahuku High & Intermediate (Castle-Kahuku complex area)
• Jessica Canyon of Fern Elementary (Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani complex area)
• Susan Chew of Lānaʻi High and Elementary (Hana-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai complex area)
• Claire Ann (Kalaunuola) Domingo of Ke Kula oʻ Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School (Public Charter Schools)
• Steve Hanks of Honoka‘a High & Intermediate (Honoka‘a-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena complex area)
• Judith (Elise) Hannigan of Keaʻau High (Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa complex area)
• Christopher Justo of Mililani Middle (Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua complex area)
• Jodi Kadoyama of Mānana Elementary (Pearl City-Waipahu complex area)
• Emily Mendoza of ‘Aiea High (‘Aiea-Moanalua-Radford complex area)
• Kristel Pigao of Waiheʻe Elementary (Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui complex area)
• Dawn Spurrell-Robinson of Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area (Hilo-Waiākea complex area)
• Courtney Suma of Kapolei High (Campbell-Kapolei complex area)
• Kris Tajima of Kauluwela Elementary (Kaimukī-McKinley-Roosevelt complex area)
• Kathleen Trifonovitch of Maunawili Elementary (Kailua-Kalāheo complex area)
• Natsumi Yamasato of Wilcox Elementary (Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea complex area)