Thirteen University of Hawaiʻi students preparing for teaching careers have been selected as recipients of Hawaii Education Association (HEA) grants.
The students are enrolled in state-approved UH licensure programs that prepare future educators for classrooms across the islands.
Funding for the awards comes from HEA’s first grant-in-aid allocation of $50,000 from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in July 2024. To date, HEA has awarded $36,000 to pre-service and in-service educators statewide.
2025 HEA grant recipients by UH campus
- Leeward Community College: Matthew Alsbergas, Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, Joseph Jones, Tuturenga Lyles, Mariah Pate, Ami Phillips, and Keila Yael Santaella
- UH Mānoa: Makella Diaz
- UH Hilo: Marc Randolph
- Kahuawaiola at UH Hilo: Piʻikea Lono and Wolfgang Rehmert
- UH West Oʻahu: Shane-Nah Brown and Ashley Reis
“I am deeply grateful for the Hawaii Education Association scholarship award,” said Leeward CC student Tuturenga Bira Lyles. “Every bit of financial relief not only eases the journey but also serves as a powerful vote of confidence in my path here in the Leeward CC community toward becoming a future educator.”
HEA’s mission is to inspire and advance teaching excellence in Hawaiʻi. By supporting students across UH’s four-year universities and community colleges, the organization hopes to strengthen the pipeline of educators committed to serving local communities.
