UH Hilo education alumna Anne Chung now spicing it up on Instagram

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Staff

Anne Chung (Education, 1993) started her Instagram account “Living Hilo Style” to share what she loves about her hometown (especially the food!). Her 15,000 followers can’t get enough.

Anne in commencement regalia and lei, holding diploma, outdoor setting. — Anne Chung at UH Hilo graduation in 1993. (Courtesy photo via UH System News)

Before Anne Chung launched “Living Hilo Style,” an Instagram page with more than 15,000 followers, the lifelong Hilo resident built a career in education. She attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, where her academic journey helped her connect to the community she now showcases online.

First a declared psychology major, Chung shifted gears and graduated from UH Hilo in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in Japanese studies, a minor in business administration, and a teaching certificate.

A career in education

Her time at UH Hilo proved formative. Chung credits the university with allowing her to build relationships as a student teacher at a local high school, connections which would anchor her professional career.

“I’m so grateful that Hilo accepted me as a student,” says Chung. “The people here really helped me find my way. It turned out to be the right path for me.”

Chung began her teaching career in 1993 as a high school teacher and worked for the Department of Education for 16 years. While teaching full time at the high school level, she earned her master of arts in occupational studies from California State University at Long Beach.

Anne Chung and Warren Kawano stand holding awards, Robert Yamane stands with them. — Anne Chung, an assistant professor in Business Technology at Hawaiʻi Community College (center), accepts the Hawaiʻi Business Education Association Educator of the Year Award in Honolulu on January 31, 2015. At left is Robert Yamane, Hawaiʻi Community College professor and chair of the college’s Business Technology and Hospitality divisions. At right is Warren Kawano, an instructor at Leeward Community College, who received the HBEA award for Outstanding Career and Technical Student Organization Advisor. (Courtesy photo)

She eventually became an assistant professor in business technology at Hawaiʻi Community College, where she was recognized as the Hawaiʻi Business Education Association Educator of the Year in 2015.

UH Hilo alumna named HBEA Educator of the Year (Feb. 25, 2015, UH Hilo Stories)

Instagram success: Sharing the food and culture of Hilo

Chung started her social media account “Living Hilo Style” to share what she loves about her hometown. After retiring, her Instagram page morphed into a cooking channel that showcases local ingredients and local recipes. The content resonates with people (15,000 followers!), leading to partnerships with longtime community institutions, such as Suisan Fish Market, K’s Drive-In and KTA Super Stores.

She credits her following to authenticity and relatability, qualities she says are integral to Hilo itself.

“You’re going to find that you’re dealing with friends and family, so it keeps things authentic,” she says. “It makes people feel a sense of belonging.”