Hawaii Society for Technology in Education

About HSTE

Our Vision

Leverage technology in education to accelerate a more innovative, resilient, and sustainable Hawaii.

Our Mission

HSTE inspires educators to use technology to innovate teaching and learning, encourage best practices, and solve tough education problems. Through shared knowledge and a supportive community, we strive to empower learners and create equitable technology access.

History of HSTE

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE®) is the premier nonprofit organization serving educators and education leaders committed to empowering connected learners in a connected world. ISTE serves more than 100,000 education stakeholders throughout the world. HSTE is a valued affiliate of ISTE and connects with more than 70 other affiliates to share best practices, increase service to members, and strengthen impact in their local education communities.

At the June 2011 annual meeting of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the Tech Corps Hawaii application to form a Hawaii affiliate of ISTE was approved – and the Hawaii Society for Technology in Education (HSTE) was born!

In 2014, Tech Corps Hawaii members approved the name change to Hawaii Society for Technology in Education, making HSTE an official non-profit organization in Hawaii.

2023-2024 HSTE Board at the Annual Board Retreat

The HSTE Board consists of educators with a variety of interests and backgrounds in public, private, and charter school education and technology.

Back Row: Alan Tamayose, Shane Asselstine, Kecia McDonald, Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman, Trisha Kodama, Leeanna Ikei, Michael Fricano II

Front Row: Leah Aiwohi, Celeste Endo, Donna Ikeguchi, Tami Saito, Malia Draper

Missing in picture: Dagan Bernstein, Lynn Nguyen

We are very excited to introduce the incoming Board of Directors this year!

Please take a moment to read the bios below of these fantastic educators.

The HSTE Executive Board Members

Shane Asselstine - President (O‘ahu)

Shane joined the Hawai‘i Department of Education in 2004 as a 4th grade teacher. He has spent most of his years as the Technology Integration Specialist at Momilani Elementary School. Outside of school, he serves in many roles across various organizations such as the HSTE President, CSTA Hawai‘i Chapter Past-President, Code.org K-8 Facilitator for Hawai‘i. He has been integrating technology from Google to Micro:bits for almost two decade with lessons ranging from economics to humanities. He is also a strong advocate for implementing computer science in the classroom through unplugged, digital and physical computing. Since August 2015, he has trained over 1400 K-8 educators in Hawai‘i, to bring CS into the classroom.

Dagan Bernstein - President Elect (Hawai‘i Island)

Dagan is an innovative leader in project and inquiry-based learning, leveraging technology to facilitate deep, meaningful educational experiences. With expertise in a variety of digital tools, he has led professional learning initiatives and education projects with skill and creativity. As a member of the Hawaii Society for Technology in Education, National Capstone Consortium, and the Ed3 DAO, Dagan continues to collaborate with educators across the globe to shape the future of education.

Leah Aiwohi - Treasurer (Kaua‘i)

Leah currently teaches at Kaua‘i High School with classes in Media, Computer Science and STEM. She has taught at the Elementary, Middle and High school levels engaging students to use computers and technology as basic classroom tools since her teaching career began 34 years ago. Leah strives to keep being innovative and impactful in her teaching, and works to ensure that her students’ learning experiences are relevant as they grow to be critical thinkers and solution creators through project-based, service-oriented learning. Leah is an Amazon Future Engineers Teacher Ambassador and has been a CSTA Equity Fellow as well.

Kecia McDonald - Secretary (Hawai'i Island)

Kecia McDonald is Complex Area Resource Teacher for English Learners in West Hawai’i. She was a 2020-2022 Hawai‘i State Teacher Fellow and a 2022 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow. She leverages technology to create resources and communicate ideas in order to overcome the geographic challenges inherent in serving schools located from the northernmost tip of Hawai’i island, Hamakua Coast, and south Kona–more than 80 miles apart from each point. You can find her on Twitter @mcdonald_kecia or follow her travels on IG @what_hi_see

The HSTE Board Members

Malia Draper (Maui)

Malia Draper is a Curriculum Coordinator at Waihee Elementary School with a rich 20-year teaching career. A nationally board-certified educator, she is committed to nurturing new teachers and guiding them toward professional excellence. Her passion for educational advancement is evident in her instrumental role in supporting teachers as they bring their creative visions to life, such as establishing a school band and an innovation lab. A lifelong learner herself, Malia continually seeks new knowledge and effective strategies to enhance her teaching practice.

Celeste Endo - (O‘ahu)

In 6th grade, Esther M. Goto gave Celeste and her classmates a golden ticket opportunity to star in a class film. It had pirates “arrgh”, treasure, Can Can dancers, & Snoopy in every scene! Each child got a starry picture in the Director’s chair! Lovingly scripted and directed by Miss Goto, it was an experience that transcended education. Everybody mattered, worked hard, and had an incredibly FUN time! Celeste never forgot being part of Miss Goto’s class that shifted life trajectories towards better paths. Celeste was so happy to meet Miss Goto decades later and introduce her two children to the teacher who shaped their family’s lives for good. In honor of Miss Goto & all the kindhearted teachers who help people thrive, Celeste hopes to helpfully strive! https://bit.ly/brainbowconnection

Michael Fricano II - Past President (O‘ahu)

Michael is a K-6 Design and Technology Teacher at ‘Iolani School in Honolulu, Hawai’i. He is also a Google Certified Trainer, a Code.org Computer Science Discoveries Facilitator, a Seesaw Certified Educator, a grades 3-6 Esports coach, and has been presenting on EdTech topics for more than 15 years. His passions center around Computer Science, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Maker Education, Esports, and purposeful, cross-curricular technology integration.

Trisha Kodama - Secretary (O‘ahu)

Teaching is a 2nd career for Trisha, who is now a Kindergarten teacher at Kaneohe Elementary School. She has experience teaching 1st grade, 5th grade, and many years of teaching 4th grade. Spending 2 years as a STEM/Technology Coordinator sparked Trishaʻs interest in HSTE and she hopes to inspires other educators to learn new things. 

Leanna Ikei (O‘ahu)

Leanna is an elementary educator at Mayor Joseph J. Fern Elementary School. Her passion is creating thematic units that integrate project-based learning and technology. Leanna is a National Board Certified Teacher, and a 2017 Locations Foundation Top Teacher Award finalist. She is currently also a Hawai‘i State Teacher Fellow alumna. Leanna received a BS in Elementary Education from Linfield College, and a MEd in Instructional Leadership from Chaminade University.  Connect with her on Twitter at @happyleeteach and Instagram at @ikeiEDventures.

Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman (Hawai‘i Island)

Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman education consultant and teacher coach with Catapult Learning. She has experience teaching and leading Hawai’i, Singapore, New York City, & Edmonton, Canada. ​She is an ASCD Emerging Leader (EL) 2014 & is ​the Executive Director of Advancing Leaders Collaborative (ALC)​. Tammy co-authored the 2021 ASCD book, The Minimalist Teacher & many digital publications hosted on ASCD affiliate sites. Tammy's class tech integration strengthened when her school in New York City went to 1:1 with devices in 2012.

Lynn Nguyen (O‘ahu)

Lynn was born and raised on Oahu, and graduated from UH Manoa in 2018. She has her BS degree in biology and is passionate about social work, education, and public health. Lynn is the founder of Fruitions eTutoring and works with youths in underserved communities.

Tami Saito (Maui)

Tami was born and raised on Maui and currently teaches at Waihe'e Elementary School, with experience spanning all K-12 levels. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Technology from Walden University, driven by her passion for integrating innovative tech solutions into the classroom and empowering both educators and students through shared knowledge. 

Alan Tamayose (O‘ahu)

Alan Tamayose is a Sr. Instructional Technology Specialist at the Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Alan is passionate about moonshot thinking, collaborative learning, and community building. In the past 20 years, he has worked with the Kamehameha elementary, middle, and high school campuses. Previously, Alan was a teacher with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. He is a TED-Ed Innovative Educator and an Apple Teacher. Alan presents regularly on new media, digital storytelling, and project-based learning.

Past Presidents and Emeritus Members

Previous HSTE Presidents

Board Member Emeritus