HR 201: CONGRATULATING THE 2025 HAWAIʻI NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL, 2025 MASAYUKI TOKIOKA EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARDEE, 2026 HAWAIʻI STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND 2026 UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM DELEGATES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	201
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

CONGRATULATING THE 2025 HAWAIʻI NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL, 2025 MASAYUKI TOKIOKA EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARDEE, 2026 HAWAIʻI STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND 2026 UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM DELEGATES.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, GAVIN TSUE was recently named the 2025 Hawaiʻi National Distinguished Principal; and

 

     WHEREAS, an exceptional administrator and principal of Palisades Elementary School, GAVIN TSUE has been selected as the 2025 Hawaiʻi National Distinguished Principal by the Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals affiliate for the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, with a career spanning multiple decades in Hawaiʻi schools, GAVIN TSUE has served as a vice principal for 11 years, third grade teacher for three years, and reading specialist for four years; he has led Palisades Elementary School for over a decade, guided by a "One ʻOhana" philosophy that prioritizes collaboration, communication, and compassion among parents, students, faculty, staff, and community partners; and

 

     WHEREAS, under GAVIN TSUE's leadership, the school consistently exceeds state benchmarks for reading and math and impressively exceeds pre-pandemic achievement levels, despite the challenges of pandemic-related learning loss; after the return to in-person teaching, he spearheaded multiple initiatives that promoted student engagement in learning by centering student interests, including clubs that were focused on leadership, culinary arts, gaming, fitness, and STEM subjects; and

 

     WHEREAS, GAVIN TSUE leads with purpose and humility, creating meaningful project-based learning experiences in emerging fields such as renewable energy and artificial intelligence; the school earned a top prize in a Design Intelligence Lab contest, where students were empowered to create real-world solutions to complex challenges, despite competing against high school and middle school students; and

 

     WHEREAS, BABĀ YIM was recently named the 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Awardee; and

 

     WHEREAS, as the proud leader of one of the State's finest K-12 Hawaiian language immersion schools, poʻo kumu (principal) BABĀ YIM of Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻO Ānuenue has played a crucial role in the revitalization of Native Hawaiian language and culture, while also offering a first-rate, high-quality educational experience to each keiki enrolled in the school; and

 

     WHEREAS, blessed with the ability to offer innovative solutions to problems, BABĀ YIM has overcome the numerous challenges of operating a standalone Hawaiian immersion school and has united the school community around a shared vision for Native Hawaiian-centric education; and

 

     WHEREAS, BABĀ YIM plans on investing in a number of initiatives at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻO Ānuenue, including projects to maintain the loʻi that run along the neighboring stream, expand performing arts, and beautify the campus, with plans to work with a local artist to transform storage containers at the school into works of art with murals inspired by student art pieces; and

 

     WHEREAS, BABĀ YIM has been committed to instilling the importance of language and culture into each of his students, empowering them to become future stewards who strive to preserve Hawaiʻi's unique cultural legacy and traditions as well as its natural environment and resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, J. ELISE HANNIGAN was recently named the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year; and

 

     WHEREAS, a lifelong scholar, J. ELISE HANNIGAN earned an Associate in Arts in early childhood education from Olympic College, a Bachelor of Arts in humanities from Washington State University, and a Master of Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo; she has offered her knowledge and expertise as a mentor to new teachers and for various committees with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, and Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; and

 

     WHEREAS, J. ELISE HANNIGAN has served with distinction at Keaʻau High School for 13 years; having previously taught a wide range of grade levels and subjects, she now dedicates her time to assisting freshmen students, helping to cultivate a safe and inclusive environment for them as they transition to high school; and

 

     WHEREAS, as Freshman Academy Coordinator, J. ELISE HANNIGAN has reestablished the school's "Summer Bridge" program, which helps new students develop connections and a sense of belonging before the first day of school; as a result of this initiative and others, the school has experienced significant improvements, including a reduction in ninth grade retention rates from over 15 percent to five percent, and the school's Freshman Academy has been recognized as a Model Academy by the National Career Academy Coalition; and

 

     WHEREAS, J. ELISE HANNIGAN exemplifies the profound impact that educators can have in preparing students to become globally competitive and locally committed leaders in the community; 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; and

 

     WHEREAS, ANNA NGUYEN was recently named a 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegate; and

 

     WHEREAS, a senior at Maui Preparatory Academy, ANNA NGUYEN is a policy fellow at Housing Hawaiʻi's Future, where she works closely with policy advisors to research Maui's zoning code and its implications on housing production; she also serves as the President of the National Honor Society, Co-President of Model UN, and Treasurer of the Student Senate; and

 

     WHEREAS, as a founding member of Mock Trial, ANNA NGUYEN has earned Outstanding Attorney recognition eight times and advanced to the state finals round alongside her teammates; she was also a Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist, a two-time LegalEagleBee winner for the State, and a keynote speaker at a statewide policy conference; and

 

     WHEREAS, ANNA NGUYEN plans to further her interest in civic affairs by studying economics and politics, with the ultimate goal of becoming an attorney; she is immensely grateful for her family, friends, and mentors, whose guidance has helped inspire her core belief in empathy and solutions-oriented change; and

 

     WHEREAS, LOTUS YASUDA was recently named a 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegate; and

 

     WHEREAS, a senior at Waipahu High School, LOTUS YASUDA has served as President of the Student Government and as the Chairperson of the Hawaiʻi State Student Council, where she represents and advocates for over 165,000 public and charter school students across the islands by driving positive change through engagement with education officials; her advocacy focuses on crucial areas of interest to youth, including civic engagement, leadership, and social-emotional well-being; and

 

     WHEREAS, collaborating with student leaders statewide, LOTUS YASUDA helps organize the annual Secondary Student Conference and Student Leadership Conference; she also serves as an ambassador for the Pledge to Our Keiki Student Ambassador Program, highlighting her strong commitment to environmental stewardship; and

 

     WHEREAS, in collaboration with Hui o Hoʻohonua, LOTUS YASUDA has contributed to the creation of a community garden in Waipahu, combining traditional and modern agricultural practices to support conservation of Hawaiʻi's natural ecosystems; and

 

     WHEREAS, LOTUS YASUDA is deeply committed to her academics and is on track to earn her Associate in Arts degree from Leeward Community College in May of 2026; she plans to pursue her post-secondary education in environmental studies and international relations, aspiring to fulfill her dream of becoming a global citizen who creates meaningful impact in sustainability efforts worldwide; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi, Regular Session of 2026, that this body hereby congratulates GAVIN TSUE for being selected as the 2025 Hawaiʻi National Distinguished Principal, BABĀ YIM for receiving the 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award, J. ELISE HANNIGAN for being selected as the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year, and ANNA NGUYEN and LOTUS YASUDA for being selected as 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegates and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

2025 Hawaii National Distinguished Principal; 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award; 2026 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year; and 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegates