UH Hilo alumnus Rory Inouye receives $25K Milken Educator Award

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A math teacher at Waiākea High School, Rory Inouye’s passion for teaching is a family strength with his father, mother, and brother all serving as educators.

Rory bedecked in lei, is on stage with mic in hand, addressing crowd.
Waiākea High School mathematics teacher Rory Inouye, an alumnus of UH Hilo, received a Milken Educator Award in a surprise school assembly on April 9, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education)

A University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo alumnus was presented with the Milken Educator Award on April 9.

Rory Inouye, a mathematics teacher at Waiākea High School, earned his master of arts in education from UH Hilo and his bachelor of arts in education from UH Mānoa.

Regarded as the “Oscar Award of Teaching,” the award celebrates exceptional teachers and comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.

“To be awarded this it’s just shocking, amazing, and I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it,” says Inouye who was completely unaware of the award until it was announced before cheering students, proud colleagues, local dignitaries, and media at Waiākea High on Tuesday.

Rory holds the phone while he and Lowell share a laugh. Rory has lei up to his ears.
Rory Inouye shares a celebratory Facetime call to his family with Lowell Milken, chairman of the Milken Family Foundation. (Photo credit: Department of Education)

In person to present the award was Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Hawaiʻi Board of Education Chairman Warren Haruki, and State Superintendent of Education Keith Hayashi.

Inouye’s passion for teaching is a family strength with his father, mother, and brother all serving as educators.

Inouye’s leadership shines throughout the school where he serves on the Waiākea High School Freshman Academy faculty, manages after-school tutoring programs and advises the Homecoming Committee. A former Waiākea High baseball player, he also coached the team to consecutive appearances in Division I championship games in 2017 and 2018.

“I got into teaching not to win awards and not to be recognized, but to help the students, to give back,” says Inouye. “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.”

Read full media release, and post at UH System News.

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