A Kaimukī High School teacher has won the state's top teaching honor along with a large grant to grow her school's farming program — good news for the school and its students.

• Chu Hong was named Hawaiʻi's 2027 State Teacher of the Year.
• She moved into a new subject area and built the school's agriculture program from the ground up.
• The program links students to sustainability, running a business, and job paths after graduation.
• The award comes with more than $200,000 to expand agriculture teaching at the school.
• Hong gave credit to fellow teachers, school leaders, and community partners.

Outlook: The grant money should let the agriculture program grow over the coming school year.