Whitney Aragaki
- Island: Hawai‘i
- Class: Science & CTE Teacher
- Years of Teaching: 16
- Field/Office: Waiākea High School
- Complex Area: Hilo-Waiākea (HW)
- Home Town: Hilo, HI
- District: Hawai‘i
What do you love about teaching in Hawaiʻi?
Teaching in Hawaiʻi helps me contribute to the beloved community that raised me. I care deeply about our community and there is no better way for me to directly impact our future outcomes. I enjoy meeting and knowing students from our town and hope that our class together has helped them connect to their environment, their ʻohana, and their future careers.
What do you value as a strength of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education?
Our strength is in our size, geographic breadth, and foundational goals. We are so fortunate that our zip code income level is not an indicator of funds allotted to education, and that students have access to a public school in nearly every part of the state. Our perspective to develop students who are globally competitive and locally committed is a direct focus on caring for students to care for place and people, no matter where they choose to invest their impact.
What do you value as a strength of your particular school or office? What is your complex area known for?
Waiākea High School is a wall-to-wall career academy school that is deeply connected to every feeder school in the Waiākea complex. We invest in students from their youth and our complex works together to prepare them for success at every K-12 level and in their future careers.
What is unique/special about your school and/or community? What do you enjoy most about teaching there?
Waiākea High School is located very close to our community stakeholders. Students can walk across the street for classes at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo or Hawaiʻi Community College, they can walk to volunteer at our feeder schools, and are in close proximity to small businesses and alumni-led businesses in our community. We are deeply connected to our community and aim to serve the industries that thrive in Hilo.
What are 2 main challenges you face (or you feel teachers face) as an educator in Hawaiʻi?
Immediate challenges teachers face are the heightened costs and access for basic living needs, such as housing, food, and medical care. Affordable housing comes at a cost of longer transit times, and doctors are often at capacity. Access to recreation or medical care can also come at an added interisland airline travel cost and time.
What are the qualities that make a Hawaiʻi Department of Education educator successful? Explain.
Qualities that make an educator successful here is a commitment to the communities they serve. Successful teachers acknowledge and appreciate the cultures that enter the classroom, and develop their own shared classroom culture that honors the wholeness of every student.
What words would you use to describe your students? Explain.
Our students are passionate, caring, and fun. They crave learning and new experiences with an engaged facilitator.
Free time: What are some fun activities that people can enjoy doing outside school hours on the island that you work at?
Our island is best experienced outside. From the diversity of beaches across the island (black, white, and green sand beaches) to the various mauka scenes of Kīlauea, Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa, there is always somewhere to visit. Remember to review cultural protocols of entering places on the island, stay on trails and near signs, and carry out your own trash.
Free time: What are some fun activities that you personally enjoy doing on the island or complex area/neighborhood you work in?
A stroll through Downtown Hilo to check out local businesses, local farmers, and Hilo Bay views is a must. I also like to pick up okazu (Japanese-style takeout) from all the shops on Saturday morning before spending time at the golf course or swimming pool.
What’s your favorite local food on your island? -OR- Where’s your favorite place to eat on the island? Describe the food!
Hilo is a foodie’s dream destination. From the okazuya like Hilo Lunch Shop, Kawamotos, Asamis, and Kum-Yos, to the desserts of Two Ladies Kitchen, Short & Sweet, and Cupcakes Boom, there is always something to eat. We are also in a Bake Stand expansion era of baked goods in every neighborhood (messy mochi or puto flan, anyone?).
What are some housing tips that you could recommend for teachers relocating to Hawaiʻi?
Keep in mind that housing affordability will come at a cost of transportation time. The cost of single-family homes reduce drastically as you expand your search radius from Hilo, but sample the commute during rush hours (7am or 5pm) before making a commitment to these further places.
What advice would you give to a new teacher who wants to work in your complex area or for the Hawaiʻi DOE in general?
Find community. The quicker you learn about the place you are choosing to teach and humble yourself to know more about the people rather than focus on sharing about yourself, the sooner you will find your place.