LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lauren Pokipala was nominated by her principal, Bernadette Tyrrell. 

Ms. Pokipala, an English teacher at Castle High School on Oahu, organized and empowered her students to advocate for expanded access to free school meals by testifying at multiple Hawaii State Legislature hearings. Her leadership helped bring about statewide change. Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, all students who previously qualified for reduced-price lunch will receive free lunch. In the 2026–2027 school year, eligibility will expand even further when the federal poverty level income requirement increases by 300%, allowing many more students to benefit. Through this work, she has changed the lives of her students by giving them a voice to advocate for their own needs, while also creating a lasting impact for future generations of students across Hawaii.

Please watch this video for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OctXbp3ZQGaKw5m1LF67164HLaWJRQrA/