Recognize an outstanding person who is making a difference in your community
Updated: October 20, 2025
The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s Human and Civil Rights Committee is seeking nominations for its Pono and Friend of Youth Awards. Nominations for both awards are due by Jan. 4, 2026.
Friend of Youth Award
Who can be nominated: Anyone!
Who can submit a nomination: Nominations must be submitted by HSTA members only.
What you need to do:
Submit a nomination online that explains the nominee’s:
- Involvement in a youth-oriented activity outside of their professional duties (please specify the activity, degree of involvement, etc.).
- Impact on Hawaiʻi’s youth e.g. how many keiki are affected, the benefit they receive as a result of the nominee’s actions.
- Volunteer hours and length of service.
- Facilities, resources, and/or equipment that were either donated by the nominee, or made available due to the nominee’s actions.
Note: Applications are being processed via Google Form, and you will need to sign into a Google Account to view it. You will have the option of submitting your answers directly in the form or uploading a file of no more than two (2) pages to address the requested criteria.
Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:
- Involvement in a youth-oriented activity outside of their professional duties.
- Impact on Hawaiʻi’s youth.
- Time and service.
- Use of facilities, resources and/or equipment.
Meet our 2025 Friend of Youth Award winner:
Nick Francisco
Through his unwavering commitment to kuʻi kalo, (poi pounding) and ʻike kupuna-guided sustainable agriculture, Nick Kālāmakani Francisco of Puna has cultivated a movement that reconnects communities to the land, their heritage, and the practices that have sustained Hawaiʻi for centuries. “It’s important for our students to be aware of the ike and the knowledge of our kupuna (elders), because, you know, for many years in Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian culture was really repressed. And my tūtū was hapa haole (half caucasian), Hawaiian haole, and she was beaten for speaking Hawaiian in school, like so many, just the context of the times politically. It always struck me as something that I wanted to make all of our students feel proud of who they are,” Francisco said.
Past winners: Glen Pascual (2024), Elyse Litvack (2023), Nikki-Ann Yee (2022), Guy Shimabukuro (2021), Scot Yamashita (2020), Jason Routon (2018), Faye Liko Wallace (2017), Ted Takamiya (2016), Virginia Brautigan Aste (2015), Robin Hermance (2014), Rose Atsuko Ah Sing Yamada (2013), Mervin Dudoit (2012), Penny Martin (2011), Alice Hewett (2010), Peter Rayno Jr. (2009), Alice Ransil (2008), Derek Kurisu (2007), Shiro Takata (2006), Randall Ng (2005), Duke Sevilla (2004), Clara and Joe Mishima (1999), Lyman Medeiros (1998), Marilyn Pollock (1997), Kiyoko Nishikawa and Bert Kakugawa (1996), Takeshi Fujita (1995), Zoreh Furatado and Mary Gomez (1994), Neal and Nadine Morimoto (1993), Frank DeLima (1992), Ted Kimura (1991), Earl Eckart (1990), Ellen Kusano (1989), Kayo Chung and Earl Miyao (1987), Carol Kimura and Robert Lani (1986), Steven Frias (1985).
If you have any questions, submit a contact form here.
Pono Award
Who can be nominated: Any active HSTA member in good standing with at least two years of membership.
Who can submit a nomination: Anyone!
What you need to do:
Submit a nomination online that includes the following:
- A detailed description of the activity or activities and the nominee’s direct involvement and capacity. Must not exceed four (4) pages, double-spaced.
- Nominee statement: Address the nominee’s social justice engagement within schools or the community, and explain the importance of this work and impact on the lives of students. Must not exceed two (2) pages, double-spaced.
These next elements are optional, but encouraged to strengthen your nomination:
- Optional: Letter of recommendation, typewritten unless submitted by a student.
- Optional: Nominee’s resume.
- Optional: Additional supporting materials, such as news clippings, flyers, photos, etc.
Note: Applications are being processed via Google Form, and you will need to sign into a Google Account to view it. We recommend gathering all elements of your nomination before starting an online submission.
Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:
- Social justice advocacy that includes direct involvement, capacity and degree of involvement.
- Impact on the community, including the number of people touched or involved, and benefit to the community.
- Role and influence as the principal organizer of a campaign or action.
- Outcome and/or perpetuity of this campaign or action.
The recipient of this award will be submitted as HSTA’s nominee to the National Education Association Social Justice Activist of the Year Award.
Meet our 2025 Pono Award winner:
Chayanee Brooks
Ka’u High teacher Chayanee Brooks has dedicated her work to creating safe and expressive spaces for students, ensuring they have a voice and a platform to share their stories. Brooks said, “My philosophy as an educator is simple: Empower students to connect with their community and their own potential through storytelling.” Many of Brooks’ students come from Kaʻū, a remote community in south Hawaiʻi Island, far from service economies and economic opportunity. However, therein lies the opportunity Brooks discovered. “Hearing my students talk about their challenges, I approach these things not as limitations, but rather as opportunities for growth,” she said.
Past winners: Kaleo Hanohano (2024), Sean Witwer (2021), Sarah “Mili” Milianta-Laffin (2020), Laverne Moore (2016).