HSTA board approves disaster relief for Maui members affected by fires

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association will provide a second and final relief check to any member and any HSTA-Retired member who cannot live in their primary residence on Maui because of damage or destruction by the Maui wildfires.

The deadline to apply for the second round of payments is Friday, Dec. 8, at 5 p.m. Applicants will be asked to attach documents substantiating their losses.

You can also download a fillable PDF here and email your completed application to mauirelief@hsta.org.

The remaining HSTA Maui fire relief funds will be distributed by the end of the year to those who lost their homes or those who cannot live in their homes. The exact amount of the individual disbursements will be determined based on how many donations remain in our accounts on Dec. 8.

Any new Bargaining Unit 05 member this school year can sign up to be a member and have access to these funds. Non-members would not qualify.

HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “The Maui community needs all of our support. We are doing everything we can do for our members who are hurting right now.”

On Aug. 13, the HSTA Board of Directors unanimously voted to allocate $150,000 to be spent on Maui disaster relief for HSTA members whose homes and classrooms have been destroyed by wildfires.

In the end, nearly 120 teachers lost homes or can’t live in them following the fires. Since the fires destroyed King Kamehameha III Elementary School, all of the teachers there lost their classrooms.

From the funds approved by the HSTA board in August, the union provided a first round of checks worth $1,000 to its members who have been displaced from their homes because their primary residence has been damaged by the wildfires that struck Maui Aug. 8. The union also provided $500 checks to those members whose classrooms or workspaces have been destroyed in the disaster. Members who lost both their homes and classrooms were eligible for both checks.

In a land acknowledgment about Maui to begin HSTA’s special board meeting Aug. 13, HSTA Maui Chapter President Mike Landes, a social studies teacher at Lāhaināluna High, said, “The buildings may be gone, but the history and spirit of the place are not.”

“There’s not one of us who’s been untouched by this tragedy,” said Lisa Morrison, HSTA’s secretary-treasurer, who is the student activities coordinator at Kūlanihākoʻi High on Maui.

The HSTA also made a $25,000 donation to Maui community relief efforts.

NEA President Becky Pringle joined a conference call with officers and managers in mid-August and told the board, “Your colleagues from all over the country have reached out to me and to Osa asking what they can do, how they can help, and we are working hand in hand with HSTA on making sure that we bring that power and strength and resources of the collective to our siblings who are in need right now.

“As those needs evolve and as you learn of new ones, know that we will be there with you throughout as you rebuild, as you heal, as you grieve, as you inspire each other,” Pringle said.

The day after the wildfires struck Maui, the HSTA sent an email blast to Maui Chapter members, offering guidance and support and including an online survey about their needs and concerns. On Thursday that week, the HSTA reached out to 1,100 Maui members via text to offer them support and converse with those who were able virtually. On Saturday, Maui Chapter leaders held an in-person crisis response gathering for all members on the island to comfort each other and hear about how we can support them in this difficult time.

Donate to teachers affected by Maui wildfires

Those who wish to contribute money toward HSTA’s Maui fire relief effort may send checks in any amount to HSTA. Money donated will be provided directly to our educator members impacted by the wildfires.

Please make your check out to HSTA and send it to HSTA Attn: Maui Fire Relief, 1200 Ala Kapuna St., Honolulu, HI 96819.

HSTA is not a 501(c)(3) and any donation is NOT tax deductible.

HSTA is also sharing donation pages of teachers affected by the Maui wildfires. Mahalo for your generosity during these difficult times.