Hawaiʻi educators urged to take part in presidential selection process
Teachers across the islands are encouraged to participate in the Democratic and Republican primary process here in March.
Celebrate Black History Month with HSTA
On Saturday, Feb. 12, the HSTA Human and Civil Rights (HCR) Committee invites fellow educators to a virtual gathering to share Black History Month resources. Join us for an overview of these resources and how to share them with your students.
Lawmakers advance bill to collect surcharge on luxury investment properties for public education
A bill that would give the public the chance to amend Hawaiʻi’s constitution to collect a new property tax on pricey investment properties in the islands for public education is advancing in the state Legislature.
13 Hawaiʻi public schools slated for complete fire alarm system replacement
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) released a list of 23 schools across the state with fire alarm issues or concerns. Thirteen are slated for complete replacements of their campus fire alarm system.
Teachers not eligible for COVID-19 hazard pay
While an arbitrator has ruled that as many as 7,800 public school employees, such as school nurses and educational assistants, are eligible for hazard pay for working during the pandemic, public school teachers do not have a hazard pay clause in their contract.
Board demands details, communication over potential lapse of $465 million in school construction funds
Hawaiʻi Board of Education Chair Warren Haruki called the potential lapse of $465 million in school construction funds “a huge tragedy” Thursday, adding that he fears state lawmakers have lost confidence in the department.
HIDOE replacing 11 inoperable fire alarm systems, 2 more schools report issues
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) says it’s working to replace inoperable fire alarm systems at 11 schools at a cost of about $14 million after confirming in December that nearly 10% of the state’s public schools failed fire inspections last school year.
HIDOE officials grilled over plan to relinquish funds for 150+ school projects
The state schools superintendent admitted to lawmakers Wednesday that he didn’t know until late November about his own department’s plan to allow $465 million in school construction funds to lapse, bringing more than 150 projects to a halt, even though officials from his department had been working on the proposal since March.
Help shape the direction of our union at HSTA Convention!
If you want to help shape public education in Hawaiʻi and our union, run to become an HSTA state convention delegate!
What is 3-1(g)? HSTA commits to diversity in leadership, member engagement
The need for diverse voices and representation prompted HSTA to review and rethink its approach to member engagement and leadership development. In 2021, union leaders and staff came together to reformulate HSTA’s implementation plan to meet the National Education Association Bylaw 3-1(g).