2022 Teach Our Future benefit concert raises $40,000 for Hawaii educators

The Hawaii Foundation for Educators (HFE) teamed up Wednesday with local music icons the Makaha Sons and Pure Heart for the second annual “Teach Our Future” benefit concert. The show took place at the historic Hawaii Theatre in downtown Honolulu.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donations, and ticket sales, the show raised more than $40,000 to support Hawaii educators and maintain high-quality education for our keiki.

The Hawaii Foundation for Educators provides teachers with quality training in professional and leadership development through the Hawaii State Teachers Association’s professional development program. Courses are developed by educators for educators.

Nimitz Elementary teacher Logan Okita said, “It’s really important to support teachers through professional development opportunities like the Hawaii Foundation for Educators provides because it shows teachers that they’re supported and ultimately it benefits the students that we serve in our classrooms.”

Jessica Kato, a Campbell-Kapolei complex area resource teacher and HSTA professional development instructor, says funds raised will go far to support both educators and keiki.

“Sometimes it’s hard to come up with a tangible way to really support education. It seems like this big thing that somebody else should be helping, and by supporting this fundraiser, it really does help,” she explained. “It helps teachers to grow and learn. It helps teachers to earn professional development credits, which in turn allows them to move up on the pay scale, and it helps students, because their teachers are growing and having time to really think about what’s best for them. So it’s a simple way that has a direct impact on the teachers and the students in the state of Hawaii.”

HFE funding allows the Hawaii State Teachers Association to return deposits for completed courses back to teachers. Educators have found this immensely helpful as they advance their careers.

Okita, a 16-year educator, explained, “Professional development can be really expensive for educators, and so to have that funding available to reimburse teachers once they’ve completed the program is an amazing resource, and it’s a great benefit for teachers so that they know that once it’s completed, they’ll have that money back in their pockets.”

The evening was emceed by Billy V and featured performances by family band Eddie and the Coconuts, led by Eddie Somera, a Hawaii State Department of Education behavioral technician, and student musicians with the Hawaii Saxophone Foundation, including the Hawaii High School Saxophone Ensemble.

HFE board member Harris Nakamoto says student participation was an important part of the show, especially since many teachers were sitting in the audience. “For (the students) to perform in front of the teachers, many of them from the various schools that are here tonight, it really shows their honor and respect for them, but also their ability to give back within the community, and playing in the Hawaii Theatre is just awesome for these kids,” Nakamoto said.

Musician Jake Shimabukuro surprised platinum sponsor Mi Kosasa of Air Service Hawaii on stage with a special Shima Ukulele, signed by Shimabukuro, Jon Yamasato, Robi Kahakalau, the Camarillo brothers, and the Makaha Sons. Shimabukuro designed and donated the ukulele.

A special mahalo to platinum sponsor Air Service Hawaii; silver sponsors Hawaii Benefits Administrators, Inc., UHA Health Insurance, and Honolulu Star-Advertiser; bronze sponsors HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, Pūlama Lānaʻi, Pacific Guardian Life, Hawaii Dental Service, Hawaii Carpenters Union, Dr. Kevin Kurohara, and Vicky Cayetano and Ginny Tiu; and donors Alexander & Baldwin, Fisher Hawaii, Southwest Airlines, First Hawaiian Bank, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Hawaii Foundation for Educators board members from left: Drew Henmi, Lindsay Chambers, Diane Gibson, Harris Nakamoto, Wilbert Holck, Les Murashige, Alan Yamamoto

About the Hawaii Foundation for Educators

The Hawaii Foundation for Educators (HFE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides Hawaii teachers with quality training in professional and leadership development, research, and innovation. HFE advocates for the whole educator by supporting their professional goals while working alongside community partners to improve Hawaii’s education system and elevate teaching as a vital and honorable profession. To learn more about HFE, visit www.hsta.org/foundation.