Two University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo alumnae have earned the state’s highest accolades for teaching. J. Elise Hannigan was named the state’s teacher of the year, and Claire Ann Kalaunuola Domingo was named the state’s charter school teacher of the year. Both were recognized at a ceremony at Washington Place on September 19.
Teacher of the Year: J. Elise Hannigan
Keaaʻau High School educator J. Elise Hannigan (UH Hilo, teaching certificate ‘13 and MEd ‘21) was named the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Department of Education’s (DOE) Teacher of the Year, earning top recognition amongst more than 13,000 educators statewide.
“Little-kid me would never have believed this was possible,” Hannigan said. “More than anything, it shows that with hard work—and the support of people around you—amazing things are possible.”
Hannigan has spent 13 years at Keaaʻau High, first as an English teacher and now as the freshman academy coordinator. DOE officials and colleagues said her leadership has transformed the campus experience—reviving the school’s Summer Bridge program, mentoring seniors who guide incoming students and helping Keaaʻau earn national certification as a Model Academy.
“With teaching, of course, there are good days and bad days—but there is never a time when I feel like I’m in the wrong place or doing the wrong thing,” said Hannigan, who made the switch from a career in ophthalmology.
Charter School Teacher of the Year: Claire Ann Kalaunuola Domingo
Claire Ann Kalaunuola Domingo (UH Hilo, BA Hawaiian studies ‘97 and teaching certificate from the Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Program ‘99) was honored as the 2026 Hawaiʻi Charter School Teacher of the Year. Domingo has worked at Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M. Kamakau LPCS for the past 25 years. She said the school’s nuʻukia or vision—“E mālama ʻia ana ka mauli ola o kākou mai kēlā hanauna a i kēia hanauna (Our spirit of being is nurtured from generation to generation)”—guides her teaching practice.
Each day begins with kilo (careful observation of the natural world) as students count lehua blossoms or feed the school’s goats—a practice she says helps her kindergarteners recognize their own development.
“I would like my students to love learning—in school, with their families, everywhere,” said Domingo.
UH Hilo’s lasting impact
Both Hannigan and Domingo credit UH Hilo’s unique combination of offering a world-class education with personal connections that provide ongoing support for their success.
“All the beautiful relationships I made at UH Hilo have continued throughout my career wherever I have gone,” described Domingo.
Hannigan agreed, saying the strong foundation she built at UH Hilo has empowered her to serve her school and community.
“One of the things that I love about UH is that the connections last forever. We still talk, we still check in with each other, we have each other’s resources available to our students,” said Hannigan. “I’m really appreciative of that.”
Hannigan will represent Hawaiʻi in the National Teacher of the Year program in Washington, D.C., next spring.
