Hawai‘i Education Association awards scholarships to 2 Hawai‘i Island educators

August 9, 2026 - 21:22

Two educators from Hawaii Island have been named recipients of a professional development scholarship from the state's largest teacher union. Joy Paul, a third-grade teacher at Holualoa Elementary School, and Nolan Yamaki, a veteran educator at Ernest Bowen deSilva Elementary School in Hilo, will each receive a $1,000 award through the Hawaii Education Association's Ronald K. Toma Scholarship for Professional Learning.

The scholarship is designed to help classroom teachers pursue additional training, coursework, or other opportunities that directly enhance their teaching practice. Paul, who has focused on building strong reading foundations in her young students, said she plans to use the funds to attend a literacy workshop that emphasizes hands-on strategies for early learners. Yamaki, who has spent years working with upper elementary students, intends to enroll in a series of classes centered on student engagement and culturally responsive instruction.

The award honors the late Ronald K. Toma, a longtime educator and union advocate who believed strongly in the power of continuous teacher growth. According to the association, this year's selection committee was impressed by both recipients' commitment to bringing new ideas back to their classrooms and sharing them with colleagues. The scholarships are awarded annually to HEA members who demonstrate leadership potential and a clear vision for their own professional development. Both teachers expressed gratitude for the support, noting that such funding often makes the difference between attending a high-quality program or missing out due to personal cost.