Kazuo Hisanaga

Mr. Hisanaga was my sixth grade math teacher at Noelani in the 1981-1982 school year. Many decades later, as I watch my own daughter learning math, I find myself thinking about Mr. Hisanaga every day.

Mr. Hisanaga was a strong believer that algebra could and should be taught in elementary school. He made learning algebra accessible and fun for everyone. His enthusiasm was contagious. When you were in his classroom, there was nothing you wanted more than to show that you could solve for “x” step by step — no matter how complex the equation.

I clearly remember Mr. Hisanaga saying toward the end of the school year that by mastering basic algebra in sixth grade, we were well equipped all the way through high school and beyond. He was right. Everything that came afterwards seemed easy because we had been given such a strong foundation in math.

As a parent today I wonder, “Why aren’t more elementary schools teaching algebra?” I think that part of the answer is that it’s difficult to do well. Mr. Hisanaga knew what it would take to motivate sixth graders while instilling discipline, as well as a firm grasp of mathematical reasoning.

Mr. Hisanaga succeeded in educating several generations of students who grew up confident in math. He was Hawaii’s answer to Jaime Escalante (“Stand and Deliver”), and proved what young children can do. And now, as I watch my daughter grapple with basic algebraic concepts, I hope that I can somehow pass on that passion and disciplined thinking which he taught me nearly 40 years ago.

Mr. Hisanaga was my sixth grade teacher at Noelani in the 1966-67 school year. He created a highly-competitive classroom, with peer pressure to perform. Math skills were honed on completion of challenging equations and heading up to his desk to ring a bell. I could not bear to be one of the last to complete the tasks. But this environment pushed me to excel in math and those skills helped me through years of sales and estimating. He chose some of us with leadership skills to be officers in the JPO's (junior police officers) and gave us a sense of pride and accomplishment. I only learned a few years ago that he had been a colonel in the Army, thus his white shirts, slacks, and dress shoes, even in that warm Hawaiian climate. He disdained sock-covered feet. He demanded excellence. Mr. Hisanaga was, by far, the best teacher I ever had! I depended on his math skills throughout my life and appreciated his leadership and teaching. I was sad to learn of his passing. I did write him a letter once to thank him and hope that he received it. Dan Toda