2023 Teach Our Future benefit concert raises $45K for Hawaiʻi educators

The Hawaiʻi Foundation for Educators (HFE) teamed up Saturday with local music performers for the third annual “Teach Our Future” benefit concert. The show took place at McKinley High School in Honolulu.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donations, and ticket sales, the show raised more than $45,000 to support Hawaiʻi educators and maintain high-quality education for our keiki.

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

Nimitz Elementary teacher Logan Okita said, “Professional development helps teachers and educators in and out of the classroom to improve their craft and learn new skills and content in order to improve the learning experiences of all of our students.”

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 explained, “Just because a teacher can’t afford the registration fee shouldn’t be why they’re not able to learn and improve, and so, we want to make sure that teachers are able to access affordable professional development that in this case can be free.”

The evening was emceed by Billy V and featured performances by Imua, Hālau Līlia Makanoe, The Camarillo Brothers, Eric Lee, and local K-pop sensation Crossing Rain. Student performers, including the Hawaiʻi High School Saxophone Ensemble and Jarrett Middle School’s ukulele ensemble, Juke, also entertained the crowd.

HFE board chair Wilbert Holck said that supporting teachers has a big impact on student learning.

“When teachers have exposure to quality public education, it makes an impact on their teaching, and it also has a major impact on student learning. So this is just our way of supporting teachers.

“In the last few years since 2020, we’ve paid for the professional development courses for approximately 5,000 teachers. And then when you look at how many students those teachers teach — elementary, middle school, and at high school, it has impacted about 250,000 students. So it’s a huge impact for students,” Holck added.

The Hawaiʻi Foundation for Educators extends a special mahalo to our gold sponsors Domino’s Hawaii and Atlantic Aviation; silver sponsors Hawaiʻi Benefits Administrators, Inc., UHA Health Insurance, and Hawaiian Electric; and bronze sponsors Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, Hawaiʻi Hotel Industry Foundation, Dr. Kevin Kurohara, and Pūlama Lānaʻi.

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides Hawaiʻi teachers with quality training in professional and leadership development, research, and innovation. It accepts tax-deductible donations.