HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	202
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

CONGRATULATING THE 2025 LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR, 2025 MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, 2026 SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR NATIONAL FINALIST, 2026 LEILEHUA-MILILANI-WAIALUA COMPLEX AREA TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND 2026  AIEA-MOANALUA-RADFORD COMPLEX AREA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, MATTHEW BROWN was recently named the 2025 Librarian of the Year; and

 

     WHEREAS, after completing a distinguished twenty-six-year career in the United States Navy, MATTHEW BROWN followed in the footsteps of his family members and pursued a career as a librarian; and

 

     WHEREAS, MATTHEW BROWN joined the Hawai i State Public Library System, working at the Wahiaw  Public Library before being appointed as District Administrator, a role that required him to oversee twenty-four library branches across O ahu and Hawai i Island; he would hold this position for several years before moving on to become Managing Librarian at the Hawai i State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled; and

 

     WHEREAS, throughout his tenure, MATTHEW BROWN has helped to ensure that patrons are provided access to library services in a timely manner; with a core belief that access to libraries is fundamental to our society, he has worked tirelessly on outreach activities to promote the State's network of public libraries, including helping to grow the Hawai i State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled's book club; and

 

     WHEREAS, through his expertise, leadership, and commitment to accessible learning, MATTHEW BROWN has become a trusted and beloved figure at the library, creating a welcoming environment for library patrons who depend on its resources and services; and

 

     WHEREAS, MATTHEW BROWN's passion for his work is not limited to merely fulfilling his everyday job duties; he takes the initiative to anticipate and address the needs of the blind and print disabled community through continued professional development, including researching new advances in braille and audio technology, to further support an inclusive learning environment; and

 

     WHEREAS, JACQUELYN MCCANDLESS was recently named the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year; and

 

     WHEREAS, with nearly twenty-five years of experience as an administrator, JACQUELYN MCCANDLESS is the Principal of Maui Waena Intermediate School, where she is renowned for her collaborative leadership style that actively engages students, staff, and families in school decision making; she has empowered them to think and act like stakeholders, ensuring that all voices are heard, joint decisions are made, and collective action plans are created and implemented; and

 

     WHEREAS, JACQUELYN MCCANDLESS has allowed students to take ownership of events such as the school's Family Fun Nights, with students planning the activities, creating promotional materials, and managing concessions; and

 

     WHEREAS, JACQUELYN MCCANDLESS has also played a key role in establishing a popular esports elective on campus, providing students with a new avenue for connection, creativity, and skill development by securing funding, classroom space, and an additional teacher to support the program; and

 

     WHEREAS, noted for her deep personal investment in the well-being of her students, JACQUELYN MCCANDLESS is visible and engaged on campus, checking in with students during lunch, assisting families, and supporting her staff; her approachability and care for her school community have helped to establish a welcoming and inclusive environment to enable students to achieve their full potential; and

 

     WHEREAS, LEKA ANITEMA was recently selected as a 2026 School Counselor of the Year national finalist; and

 

     WHEREAS, as the post-high counselor at Maui High School in Kahului, LEKA ANITEMA has been selected as a finalist for the national 2026 School Counselor of the Year Award by the American School Counselor Association, serving as a testament to her outstanding work and tireless dedication to helping her students thrive, both inside and outside the classroom, and fulfill their highest potential; and

 

     WHEREAS, LEKA ANITEMA holds a bachelor's degree in TESOL education from Brigham Young University-Hawaii, while minoring in psychology and theatrical arts, and also earned certifications in school counseling and educational leadership; and

 

     WHEREAS, throughout her career, LEKA ANITEMA has prioritized the establishment of schoolwide and community partnerships that leverage the strengths of each partner to connect students with resources and mentors; she collaborates extensively with colleagues to deliver schoolwide rollouts and tailored sessions based on identified classroom needs, demonstrating the critical role of school counselors in shaping student futures; and

 

     WHEREAS, renowned for her unwavering commitment to empowering students and helping them explore opportunities after they graduate, LEKA ANITEMA initiated Maui County's first Hawai i-based college fair and also spearheaded Maui County's first senior hiring event, successfully connecting students from three islands with dozens of potential employers offering livable wages; and

 

     WHEREAS, CHRISTOPHER JUSTO was recently named the 2026 Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area Teacher of the Year; and

 

     WHEREAS, a dedicated and passionate educator, CHRISTOPHER JUSTO has served for twenty-six years as an agriculture teacher at Mililani Middle School in the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area; and

 

     WHEREAS, known for bringing learning to life, CHRISTOPHER JUSTO creates interdisciplinary and real-world experiences through programs that incorporate greenhouses, hydroponics, aquaponics, and composting, as well as partnerships that support watershed forest restoration in the Wai anae Mountains; these efforts have inspired students of all backgrounds and abilities to reflect on the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and preserving Hawai i's precious natural resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, committed to helping his students continue learning outside the classroom, CHRISTOPHER JUSTO is known for taking students on parent-approved mini excursions on his days off to learn about Hawai i's natural environment firsthand; and

 

     WHEREAS, as a result of his exceptional efforts to spark the intellectual curiosity of his students and motivate them to achieve their highest potential, CHRISTOPHER JUSTO has been honored as the 2026 Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area Teacher of the Year; and

 

     WHEREAS, EMILY MENDOZA was recently named the 2026  Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area Teacher of the Year; and

 

     WHEREAS, after earning her license and beginning her career as a teacher in 2018, EMILY MENDOZA has grown to become a distinguished culinary arts instructor at  Aiea High School; and

 

     WHEREAS, EMILY MENDOZA's interactive lessons challenge students to practice critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills to solve real-world problems; in addition, she provides her students with mentorship opportunities with industry professionals, allowing them extra opportunities to learn valuable skills and network; and

 

     WHEREAS, EMILY MENDOZA encourages her students to develop the skills necessary to succeed outside the classroom walls through activities such as bake sales, cooking competitions, and catering events that bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace experiences; and

 

     WHEREAS, renowned for her generous and compassionate spirit, EMILY MENDOZA has even helped support blood drives by leading her students in baking iron-rich food to replenish and reenergize volunteers who have donated blood; she is always excited to share her baking tips, ideas for future fundraisers, and opportunities for student engagement; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawai i, Regular Session of 2026, that this body hereby congratulates MATTHEW BROWN for being named the 2025 Librarian of the Year, JACQUELYN MCCANDLESS for being named the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year, LEKA ANITEMA for being selected as a 2026 School Counselor of the Year national finalist, CHRISTOPHER JUSTO for being named the 2026 Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area Teacher of the Year, and EMILY MENDOZA for being named the 2026  Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area Teacher of the Year and extends to them its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________