HSTA Board approves more funds, extends deadline for members’ storm relief payments

T​​he Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s Board of Directors approved a measure Wednesday creating the 2026 Hurricane Season Relief Fund, boosting the amount of money available for members’ relief and extending the application deadline to the end of this year’s hurricane season.

Rather than continuing to establish or amend member relief programs that began with the Kona low storms in March, the proposal approved by HSTA’s board Wednesday creates a broader relief fund to support members impacted by storms during the remainder of the hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30.

The board approved increasing authorized funding for the program from $50,000 to $75,000.

Members whose primary homes or classrooms were damaged in recent storms are eligible for at least $250 in relief payments from HSTA. Damage must have resulted from the 2026 hurricane season and must not have been preexisting. Award amounts will be determined based on the number of approved applicants, the extent of need, and available funding.

HOMES: Applicants need to provide either a written explanation with an insurance claim or a repair estimate and photos of significant structural damage, flooding, or other conditions that made their primary residences unsafe and/or required repairs.

CLASSROOMS: Applicants will be asked to explain the specific serious damage to their classrooms or workspaces that affected their ability to teach or perform their duties. That includes damage that rendered their workplace unusable or caused substantial loss of classroom materials, instructional resources or equipment.

HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr., said, “HSTA is committed to supporting our members impacted by these disasters. Providing assistance will help educators recover and maintain stability and their students while broader relief efforts are underway.

Application details

To be eligible, applicants must have been HSTA members at the time the storm-related damage occurred. Teachers newly hired during the 2026-2027 school year are exempt from the current membership requirement, provided their HSTA membership enrollment (https://www.hsta.org/join-now/) is received on or before the date the relief application is submitted.

Members may apply for support if they suffered damage to their:

• Primary residence
• Classroom or workspace

The deadline for application is Monday, Nov. 30, 2026.

The relief program is funded through contributions from HSTA and partner organizations committed to supporting educators during times of crisis. While this assistance will not fully cover members’ losses, it reflects our union’s commitment to supporting educators and their families as they recover and rebuild.

Applications may be submitted here.