Educators whose vehicles were damaged at work during the storms are entitled to reimbursement

P​​​​​ublic school employees whose personal vehicles parked at campuses and workplaces that were damaged or destroyed during the recent floods are eligible for reimbursement from the state, minus any insurance payouts.

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association collective bargaining agreement includes the following language:

Article X – Teacher Protection

1. When a teacher’s vehicle has been damaged or destroyed while parked on the Employer’s property, the principal or supervisor shall provide the appropriate information as contained in Section 37-77, HRS, Claims for Legislative Relief, and expedite the required investigation. The teacher’s request for legislative relief shall be for reimbursement less any insurance entitlement.

The HSTA has learned that roughly 25 cars of employees at Noelani Elementary on Oʻahu were flooded and damaged during heavy rains on March 23.

School employees have two years from the date of the incident to finalize their claims, providing the state with itemized signed statements, photos, receipts, motor vehicle registration, proof of insurance and other information.

The damage claim form is available here, along with these instructions for filling it out.

NEA Member Benefits has created an HSTA Kona-Low Storms Relief Fund GoFundMe page to accept donations from individuals and organizations who’d like to help teachers whose classrooms, homes and personal vehicles sustained significant damage in the flooding and storms that struck the islands in March. The page will accept contributions through Friday, June 12.

In addition, the HSTA is offering relief payments to its members who suffered serious damage to their vehicles, homes or classrooms during the storms last month.