A Kaimuki High School teacher has been named Hawaii's 2027 State Teacher of the Year, a bright spot for Oahu public schools.

• Chu Hong, who teaches agriculture, food and natural sciences, and entrepreneurship, won the award at a ceremony at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.
• She was picked from more than 13,000 public school teachers and 15 other finalists.
• Hong has taught for 22 years and is known to students as "Mama Hong" for pushing them hard while treating them like her own kids.

Outlook: Hong will represent Hawaii in the national Teacher of the Year program.