Kaimukī High Teacher Named Hawaiʻi Teacher of the Year
Agricultural entrepreneurship instructor Chu Hong won the statewide honor for her work with students.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Chu Hong, an agriculture and entrepreneurship teacher at Kaimukī High School, has been named the 2027 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes her commitment to students among a field of more than 13,000 public school educators across the state.
Why it matters
This recognition highlights the impact of vocational and sustainable-farming curriculum on student development and career preparation. It underscores how localized, hands-on classroom projects can foster both ecological stewardship and real-world business skills for teenagers.
Chu Hong was selected from a statewide pool of more than 13,000 public school educators. She is now set to represent the state in the national Teacher of the Year competition.
The players
Chu Hong
An agriculture and entrepreneurship teacher at Kaimukī High School who prioritizes sustainable practices and business skills.
Kaimukī High School
A public Honolulu secondary school that hosts the W.O.R.M.S. Club program focused on agricultural entrepreneurship.
The details
At Kaimukī High School, Hong teaches agriculture, food and natural resources alongside entrepreneurship. She founded the W.O.R.M.S. Club, which guides students through sustainable practices like composting. The program has expanded its reach by evolving from the sale of genki balls to producing and selling premium lettuce, teaching students both biology and business management.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: Chu Hong received the Teacher of the Year award during a ceremony.
The Home Front
Statewide educator awards serve as a leading indicator for shifts in public school vocational and entrepreneurship curricula. This recognition marks the selection of a Hawaii representative for the National Teacher of the Year Program.
Parents and students should check the current course catalog at their local high school to see if agriculture or entrepreneurship programs are available. Engaging with school-led sustainable projects can be a great way to support local student-run enterprises.
The takeaway
The success of the W.O.R.M.S. Club demonstrates how small-scale, student-led sustainable projects can effectively bridge classroom learning with entrepreneurship. Families interested in supporting these initiatives can look for student-grown produce or products sold at school-hosted market events.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local learning at Secondary Education.
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