UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) alumni, Kawika Gonzales and Leah Aiwohi along with colleague Chloe Sato, were named finalists in the Presidential AI Challenge in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. last month. Their project, Global Innovation Race Hawaiʻi, is a statewide program that teaches students responsible artificial intelligence (AI).
“Teaching our students how to use AI is no longer enough,” Gonzales said. “We also need to teach them when to use it, why to use it, and whether it should be used at all. Responsible AI education helps students recognize bias, verify information, protect privacy, think critically, and remember that AI should support human decision-making, not replace it. We want students to become thoughtful leaders who use AI to serve people and strengthen their communities.”
Gonzales earned both an MEd in Learning Design and Technology (LTEC) and a Certificate in Online Learning and Teaching (COLT) from the COE where, he says, the program deepened his understanding of instructional design, technology integration, and innovative teaching practices.
“We are very proud of Kawika’s achievements and the important work that he’s doing in helping prepare students in Hawaiʻi to be successful in the era of AI,” said LTEC Chair Peter Leong.
In the spring of 2025, Gonzales, Aiwohi, and Sato responded to a call by the Hawaiʻi Department of Education asking all superintendents to identify a sophomore student from each complex area to participate in the Global Innovation Race that was being hosted at UC Berkeley. The complex area superintendents were then asked to nominate teachers to chaperone and mentor the group, and Gonzales, Aiwohi, and Sato were selected.
Aiwohi, who earned BEd and Professional Diploma in Elementary Education, was Kauaʻi’s 2002 and 2025 District Teacher of the Year. She is also a Responsible AI Fellow with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), and the recent recipient of Generation AI’s Luminary Award.
“Although I graduated from the College of Education more than 36 years ago, the lessons that have stayed with me are not tied to specific textbooks or technologies; they are the enduring principles of effective teaching,” Aiwohi said. “My preparation emphasized building meaningful relationships with students, designing engaging learning experiences, and continually reflecting on my practice to meet the changing needs of learners.”
Today, Aiwohiʻs students are using design thinking and artificial intelligence to address authentic community challenges, develop accessible technologies like AccessiLearn, and collaborate with partners across Hawaiʻi and beyond. She says though the tools have changed dramatically, the core mission remains the same – to empower students to become confident, creative, and compassionate problem-solvers.
“My college experience gave me the opportunity to thoughtfully and critically shape my personal teaching philosophy and understand the pendulum swings of education,” Sato said. “During the programs, I learned to adapt to unique learning environments and styles and understand the importance of greater adaptability.”
Sato, who teaches science at Kalani High School, received a Minor in Education from UCLA and a Master in Education and teaching credential from Hawaiʻi Pacific University.
“Our students are working together across the state on different islands,” Gonzales said. “Rather than simply teaching students how to use AI tools, we intentionally design learning experiences where students can collaborate, solve community challenges, think critically about ethical issues, and reflect on the impact of artificial intelligence. The instructional design principles I learned through LTEC continue to shape the structure of our statewide program and our vision for preparing Hawaiʻi’s next generation of ethical AI leaders.”
From the Hawaiʻi Educator Team
We are deeply grateful to the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, our Superintendent and Deputy Superintendents, district and school administrators, and the many educators who have supported this work and recognized the potential of responsible AI in education. Their willingness to embrace innovation has created opportunities for students to engage in authentic, meaningful learning experiences.
Most importantly, we want to thank our students and their families for placing their trust in us as we explored new ways of teaching and learning with AI. Their curiosity, courage, and willingness to take risks have shown what is possible when young people are empowered to use technology not simply to learn, but to create solutions that strengthen and serve their communities. This work has always been about believing in our students and giving them the opportunity to realize that their ideas truly can make a difference.
This experience has inspired us to continue expanding Global Innovation Race Hawaiʻi and creating opportunities for even more students across our state. We are also excited to collaborate this next school year with the College of Education LTEC Department!
