Top Teachers
Saturday, June 14, 1997
Name: George Okuhara
Age: 43
Position: St. Louis School art teacher
Education: University of Hawaii
Pastimes: Tennis, fishing
There's a special feeling of camaraderie in a room filled with 16 boys and their teacher under stress to meet a strict publication deadline. Enjoys deadline pressure
George Okuhara, yearbook adviser and art teacher at St. Louis School, said he "kinda likes it wacky" in his sometimes tense yearbook class.
Okuhara, this year's outstanding teacher at the all-boys Catholic school, feels he is respected, but humbly says he doesn't deserve the award.
Leroy Lehano, St. Louis fine arts department chairman who nominated Okuhara, said he is so good at what he does that Lehano is surprised Okuhara doesn't work an institution that would pay him more.
"He's into knowing and understanding the boys," Lehano said. "The boys feel comfortable talking to him and being around him."
Okuhara started his career as a graphic artist and photographer for the city.
Later, he taught high school art, then went to teach art and special education for an elementary school. After taking off a couple of years to pursue his art, he is happy at St. Louis.
Since he joined the faculty six years ago, the school yearbook has won several awards. Most were for accurate copy and meeting tight deadlines.
"When deadline time comes around, you get to see the real nature of people," Okuhara said. "But there's no distraction because there are no girls. The boys get their work done."
Candace Meierdiercks, Star-Bulletin
