The state is offering a one-time, taxable relocation bonus to eligible teachers who moved to Hawaii from out of state for the 2019–2020 school year, providing they meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
- Relocated from out-of-state;
- Recruited from out-of-state with a current out-of-state mailing address at the time of job offer and acceptance;
- Completed a State Approved Teacher Preparation Program prior to relocation and effective date of employment;
- Contracted in a BU 5 position for school year 2019–2020; and
- They are a newly hired employee, or re-employed following a break in service of at least two years from last termination date of employment.
This bonus will be awarded as follows:
- 100 percent after being contracted.
- Payout will depend on when the individual is actually hired.
- First Round: October for all those who started first semester prior to October.
- Second Round: End of February or beginning of March for those who started in October or thereafter.
- $2,000 for individuals employed at DOE schools NOT designated as a hard-to-staff per the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA).
- $3,000 for individuals employed at designated hard-to-staff DOE school, as identified per the CBA with HSTA.
Here are the schools currently designated as hard-to-staff:
Hawaii District
- Kau Complex: Kau High and Pahala Elementary, Naalehu Elementary
- Keaau Complex: Keaau Elementary, Keaau High, Keaau Middle, Mount View Elementary
- Pahoa Complex: Keonepoko Elementary, Pahoa Elementary, Pahoa High and Intermediate
Leeward District
- Nanakuli Complex: Nanaikapono Elementary, Nanakuli Elementary, Nanakuli High and Intermediate
- Waianae Complex: Leihoku Elementary, Maili Elementary, Makaha Elementary, Waianae Elementary, Waianae High, Waianae Intermediate
Maui District
- Hana Complex: Hana High and Elementary
- Lanai Complex: Lanai High and Elementary
- Molokai Complex: Kaunakakai Elementary, Kilohana Elementary, Maunaloa Elementary, Molokai High, Molokai Middle
For more information contact the Department of Education at Teacher_Recruitment@hawaiidoe.org or by phone at (808) 441-8444.
The DOE plans to offer relocation bonuses again next year, so tell your educator friends who'd like to move back to Hawaii if they've been away for a while, there should be some help with their moving expenses!