Waiākea High School’s Rory Inouye receives prestigious Milken Educator Award and $25,000 prize

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HILO - Waiākea High School mathematics teacher Rory Inouye was recognized with the prestigious Milken Educator Award in a surprise school assembly to the cheers and applause of students, teachers and staff members. Regarded as the "Oscar Award of Teaching," the award celebrates exceptional teachers and comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.

Inouye was honored by Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Board of Education Chairman Warren Haruki and Superintendent Keith Hayashi and other officials.

"Rory is an exceptional teacher who tailors math and problem-solving lessons to his students' diverse backgrounds and talents to make learning a truly personal and engaging journey," Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. "His firm belief in student-led learning and real-world applications allows his students to see the practical relevance of mathematics in their daily lives, making abstract concepts tangible and intuitive. We are very lucky to have teachers like Rory who work hard to make learning fun and meaningful for students of all levels."

Inouye's passion for teaching is a family strength with his father, mother and brother all serving as educators. The Waiākea High alum received his bachelor's degree in education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a master's degree in education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

"I got into teaching not to win awards and not to be recognized, but to help the students, to give back. I remember being a student at Waiākea High School, and I wasn't the strongest student. For me, that really inspired me to be a math teacher. We want to show students you don't have to be afraid of math," Inouye said after receiving his award. "To be awarded this it's just shocking, amazing, and I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it."

Teaching at his alma mater, Inouye's leadership shines throughout the school where he serves on the WHS Freshman Academy faculty, manages after-school tutoring programs and advises the Homecoming Committee. Inouye, a former Waiākea High baseball player, also coached the team to consecutive appearances in Division I championship games in 2017 and 2018.

"I cannot think of anybody more deserving," Waiākea High Principal Kelcy Koga said. "All of our teachers here are outstanding but Rory has taken a leadership role in the Math Department and has definitely instituted new ways of teaching and provides a really great foundation for his students."

Inouye is the 82nd Hawai'i teacher to receive the award since Hawai'i joined the program in 1990, and joins Kawānanakoa Middle School's Jade Pham this year as the first dual Milken awardees in Hawaiʻi since 2016.

Past Milken Educator Award recipients from Hilo also include Jamil Ahmadia (Waiākea Intermediate, 1999), Jay Chow (Waiākea High, 1997), Leonora Kunimoto (Waiākea High, 1991) and Donna Saiki (Hilo High, 1990). Hawai'i recipients have received awards along with a total of over $2 million in prize monies.

"Hailing from a family of educators with deep roots in the community, Rory Inouye's passion for teaching and learning is evident in every endeavor," Lowell Milken said. "Rory's innovation in the classroom, coupled by his leadership and investment in the school at large, are making an indelible impact on students, colleagues, and the community he proudly serves. We congratulate Rory and welcome him to the Milken Educator Network."

The Milken Educator Awards program, which was launched by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987, has been described as "the Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher magazine.