This year’s Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year were announced at the Hawaii Catholic Schools’ Recognition Luncheon, held at Natsunoya Tea House on May 8.
The apple has long been a symbol of educators and knowledge. The Golden Apple Awards program was created to honor exceptional individuals dedicated to teaching in Catholic schools, while the pineapple symbol adds a local spin to the award. The Augustine Educational Foundation gifted each awardee’s school $1,500 for staff development, and each recipient also received a check for $500.
Dr. Dale Fryxell, dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Chaminade University, presented the awards.
Dr. Glenn Medeiros of St. Louis School received this year’s Golden Pineapple Award as Hawaii Catholic Schools Administrator of the Year.
“For nearly 25 years, Glenn has dedicated himself to Catholic education and has spent the last 11 years leading Saint Louis School as the longest-serving president in the school’s 180-year history,” Fryxell said.
Annicelia Agbayani of Our Lady of Good Counsel School received the Golden Pineapple Award as Hawaii Catholic Schools Teacher of the Year.
“Beyond her outstanding teaching, Mrs. Agbayani is deeply committed to faith formation, weaving prayer, kindness and Catholic values into the everyday experiences of even the youngest learners,” Fryxell said.
Most Reverend Clarence “Larry” Silva, Bishop of Honolulu, served as the keynote speaker for the event. He led the opening prayer and shared part of his journey to becoming bishop of Honolulu.
“About this time, 21 years ago, it was still a secret that I was going to be the bishop of Honolulu,” Silva said. “I found out May 5, 2005, but the public announcement wasn’t until May 17.”
Exiting Diocesan School Board members were applauded for their support of Catholic education.
Mahalo to Fr. Frankie De Los Reyes, Mrs. Betsey Gunderson, Dr. Elizabeth Park and Msgr. Terry Watanabe ’73, who served as chair of the board.
“I am so grateful for my 20 years of continuous Catholic school education,” Watanabe said. “Chaminade was so fabulous because you had tremendous access to the teachers, faculty and staff.”
New members Fr. Lusius Nimu and Mr. Mike Hernandes were recognized for joining the board.
Congratulations to the 2026 Golden Pine “apple” recipients!