Hawaii's Top Teachers

Name: Art Kimura
Age: 51
Position: Vice principal, Pahoa Elementary
Education: University of Hawaii-Manoa
Pastimes: Fishing, raising tropical fish

After giving space education speeches to 150,000 children and adults in nine years, the "shy" label doesn't fit any more.

Kimura's statewide "Future Flight" program is designed to build confidence in kids, besides teaching about space.

Kimura was recently awarded the Civil Air Patrol's "Crown Circle" award for aerospace education in ceremonies at Little Rock, Ark. He received it from his boyhood hero, former test pilot Chuck Yeager.

Kimura wanted to be an Air Force pilot in his youth, but his eyesight wasn't good enough so he turned to marine biology.

That was taught in such a dull way that he nearly dropped out of that, too. Instead he became a teacher who emphasized hands-on learning.

He taught a McKinley High zoology course by having kids camp overnight at the Honolulu Zoo. Another time he spent eight hours tending a dying female gorilla.

When plans were made to include a teacher on a space shuttle mission, Kimura was one of two selected from Hawaii.

After the Challenger disaster, he pressed on, creating a program recognized as unique in the nation.

"Crews" of kids take a "space ship" bus to "landing sites" in Big Island lava fields.