LIHU‘E — A Kaua‘i educator received the Hospitality Educator Award from the Hawai‘i workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI and the Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association.
LIHU‘E — A Kaua‘i educator received the Hospitality Educator Award from the Hawai‘i workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI and the Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association.
Crystal Ozaki has taught at Kaua‘i High School for the past seven years. Born and raised on Kaua‘i, she has more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. She teaches travel-industry management and hospitality tourism to help prepare students in the Career and Technical Education program.
Ozaki volunteers her time helping with soccer, participating in the district’s mentoring program, and advising the Hospitality Hui Ho‘okipa Club at the school. She also co-advises the travel club and graduation, and is part of the STEM (science, technolgy, electronics and mathematics) cadre at Kaua‘i High.
“My goal is to continue to educate and expose students to the hospitality industry, as well as building partnerships within the hospitality community and engaging the travel advisory board with co-curricular activities,” she said.
“I have a passion to mentor and guide my students with real-world experiences that will help them realize the many opportunities that are available to them.”
Joyce Miyamoto, a teacher at H.P. Baldwin High School on Maui, was the other honored educator.
The award provides learning opportunities within the hospitality industry. Each teacher earns a $1,000 stipend.
Ozaki and Miyamoto were recognized during a recent ceremony.
