CONGRATULATING THE 2025 HAWAIʻI NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL, 2025 MASAYUKI TOKIOKA EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARDEE, 2026 HAWAIʻI STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND 2026 UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM DELEGATES.

HR201

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

201

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

CONGRATULATING THE 2025 HAWAI
ʻ
I NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL, 2025
MASAYUKI TOKIOKA EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARDEE, 2026 HAWAI
ʻ
I STATE TEACHER OF THE
YEAR, AND 2026 UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM DELEGATES
.

����
WHEREAS,
GAVIN TSUE was recently named the 2025 Hawai
ʻ
i
National Distinguished Principal; and

����
WHEREAS, an
exceptional administrator and principal of Palisades Elementary School, GAVIN
TSUE has been selected as the 2025 Hawai
ʻ
i
National Distinguished Principal by the Hawaii Elementary and Middle School
Administrators Association, the National Association of Elementary School
Principals affiliate for the State; and

����
WHEREAS, with
a career spanning multiple decades in Hawai
ʻ
i
schools, GAVIN TSUE has served as a vice principal for 11 years, third grade
teacher for three years, and reading specialist for four years; he has led
Palisades Elementary School for over a decade, guided by a "One
ʻ
Ohana" philosophy
that prioritizes collaboration, communication, and compassion among parents,
students, faculty, staff, and community partners; and

����
WHEREAS,
under GAVIN TSUE's leadership, the school consistently exceeds state benchmarks
for reading and math and impressively exceeds pre-pandemic achievement levels,
despite the challenges of pandemic-related learning loss; after the return to
in-person teaching, he spearheaded multiple initiatives that promoted student
engagement in learning by centering student interests, including clubs that
were focused on leadership, culinary arts, gaming, fitness, and STEM subjects;
and

����
WHEREAS,
GAVIN TSUE leads with purpose and humility, creating meaningful project-based
learning experiences in emerging fields such as renewable energy and artificial
intelligence; the school earned a top prize in a Design Intelligence Lab
contest, where students were empowered to create real-world solutions to
complex challenges, despite competing against high school and middle school
students; and

����
WHEREAS,
BABĀ YIM was recently named the 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School
Leadership Awardee; and

����
WHEREAS, as
the proud leader of one of the State's finest K-12 Hawaiian language immersion
schools, po
ʻ
o
kumu (principal) BABĀ YIM of Ke Kula Kaiapuni
ʻ
O Ānuenue has played a crucial role
in the revitalization of Native Hawaiian language and culture, while also
offering a first-rate, high-quality educational experience to each keiki
enrolled in the school; and

����
WHEREAS,
blessed with the ability to offer innovative solutions to problems, BABĀ
YIM has overcome the numerous challenges of operating a standalone Hawaiian
immersion school and has united the school community around a shared vision for
Native Hawaiian-centric education; and

����
WHEREAS,
BABĀ YIM plans on investing in a number of initiatives at Ke Kula Kaiapuni

ʻ
O Ānuenue,
including projects to maintain the lo
ʻ
i
that run along the neighboring stream, expand performing arts, and beautify the
campus, with plans to work with a local artist to transform storage containers
at the school into works of art with murals inspired by student art pieces; and

����
WHEREAS,
BABĀ YIM has been committed to instilling the importance of language and
culture into each of his students, empowering them to become future stewards
who strive to preserve Hawai
ʻ
i's
unique cultural legacy and traditions as well as its natural environment and
resources; and

����
WHEREAS, J.
ELISE HANNIGAN was recently named the 2026 Hawai
ʻ
i
State Teacher of the Year; and

����
WHEREAS, a
lifelong scholar, J. ELISE HANNIGAN earned an Associate in Arts in early
childhood education from Olympic College, a Bachelor of Arts in humanities from
Washington State University, and a Master of Education from the University of
Hawai
ʻ
i at Hilo;
she has offered her knowledge and expertise as a mentor to new teachers and for
various committees with the Hawai
ʻ
i
Department of Education, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, and Hawai
ʻ
i State Teachers
Association; and

����
WHEREAS, J.
ELISE HANNIGAN has served with distinction at Kea
ʻ
au
High School for 13 years; having previously taught a wide range of grade levels
and subjects, she now dedicates her time to assisting freshmen students,
helping to cultivate a safe and inclusive environment for them as they
transition to high school; and

����
WHEREAS, as
Freshman Academy Coordinator, J. ELISE HANNIGAN has reestablished the school's
"Summer Bridge" program, which helps new students develop connections
and a sense of belonging before the first day of school; as a result of this
initiative and others, the school has experienced significant improvements,
including a reduction in ninth grade retention rates from over 15 percent to
five percent, and the school's Freshman Academy has been recognized as a Model
Academy by the National Career Academy Coalition; and

����
WHEREAS, J.
ELISE HANNIGAN exemplifies the profound impact that educators can have in
preparing students to become globally competitive and locally committed leaders
in the community; her holistic approach to student success, particularly with
Kea
ʻ
au High
School's nationally recognized Freshman Academy, has created a supportive
school culture where students can thrive academically, socially, and
emotionally; and

����
WHEREAS, ANNA
NGUYEN was recently named a 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegate;
and

����
WHEREAS, a
senior at Maui Preparatory Academy, ANNA NGUYEN is a policy fellow at Housing
Hawai
ʻ
i's Future,
where she works closely with policy advisors to research Maui's zoning code and
its implications on housing production; she also serves as the President of the
National Honor Society, Co-President of Model UN, and Treasurer of the Student
Senate; and

����
WHEREAS, as a
founding member of Mock Trial, ANNA NGUYEN has earned Outstanding Attorney
recognition eight times and advanced to the state finals round alongside her
teammates; she was also a Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist, a two-time
LegalEagleBee winner for the State, and a keynote speaker at a statewide policy
conference; and

����
WHEREAS, ANNA
NGUYEN plans to further her interest in civic affairs by studying economics and
politics, with the ultimate goal of becoming an attorney; she is immensely
grateful for her family, friends, and mentors, whose guidance has helped
inspire her core belief in empathy and solutions-oriented change; and

����
WHEREAS,
LOTUS YASUDA was recently named a 2026 United States Senate Youth Program
Delegate; and

����
WHEREAS, a
senior at Waipahu High School, LOTUS YASUDA has served as President of the
Student Government and as the Chairperson of the Hawai
ʻ
i State Student Council, where she
represents and advocates for over 165,000 public and charter school students
across the islands by driving positive change through engagement with education
officials; her advocacy focuses on crucial areas of interest to youth,
including civic engagement, leadership, and social-emotional well-being; and

����
WHEREAS,
collaborating with student leaders statewide, LOTUS YASUDA helps organize the
annual Secondary Student Conference and Student Leadership Conference; she also
serves as an ambassador for the Pledge to Our Keiki Student Ambassador Program,
highlighting her strong commitment to environmental stewardship; and

����
WHEREAS, in
collaboration with Hui o Ho
ʻ
ohonua,
LOTUS YASUDA has contributed to the creation of a community garden in Waipahu,
combining traditional and modern agricultural practices to support conservation
of Hawai
ʻ
i's
natural ecosystems; and

����
WHEREAS,
LOTUS YASUDA is deeply committed to her academics and is on track to earn her
Associate in Arts degree from Leeward Community College in May of 2026; she
plans to pursue her post-secondary education in environmental studies and
international relations, aspiring to fulfill her dream of becoming a global
citizen who creates meaningful impact in sustainability efforts worldwide; now,
therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawai
ʻ
i,
Regular Session of 2026, that this body hereby congratulates GAVIN TSUE for
being selected as the 2025 Hawai
ʻ
i
National Distinguished Principal, BABĀ YIM for receiving the 2025 Masayuki
Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award, J. ELISE HANNIGAN for being
selected as the 2026 Hawai
ʻ
i
State Teacher of the Year, and ANNA NGUYEN and LOTUS YASUDA for being selected
as 2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegates and extends to them its
warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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2025
Hawaii National Distinguished Principal; 2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in
School Leadership Award; 2026 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year; and 2026 United
States Senate Youth Program Delegates