HSTA releases presidential election FAQs

The results of the presidential and congressional elections are disappointing for some members of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association and refreshing for others. Our values and our vision for the future of American public education do not change depending on who holds office. Our job remains as important as ever: putting our members and students first by working together to protect our profession that serves students and their families.

Members react to presidential election results

A few days after the Nov. 5 General Election, we asked our members what they thought of the outcome of federal elections and we heard a variety of opinions.

Some HSTA members, like one from Maui Chapter, were elated.

“I am still in shock over the Republican victories nationwide! I am VERY pleasantly surprised by Trump’s win. I think this will be an extremely positive change in America,” the Maui member wrote to us.

A Central Chapter member said, “I am very happy with the results of this election because I think the economy will improve so I can afford to feed my family on my small income.”

But most of our members who took the time to write to us are not happy with Donald Trump returning to the White House, with 75% of them expressing fear, shock, sadness and anger.

“I am very disappointed that the people of our country voted the way they did. I think it could have profound effects on our state, our jobs and people in our community,” said a Honolulu Chapter member.

A Leeward Chapter member had similar concerns and said, “I’m worried about public education continuing under the new presidential administration in January. I’m worried about women’s rights as well.”

A Maui Chapter member wrote, “I’m absolutely terrified. Project 2025 will gut public education and put my job on the chopping block. You will lose a lot of teachers, either by lack of funds, or by quitting. I don’t want to teach in a world where I’m worried everything I say and do could lead me to be arrested just based on the books I teach or having my partner’s picture on my desk. This election has also emboldened bigotry and that has absolutely no place in my classroom.”

While this is not the election outcome many of us had hoped for, HSTA members will keep organizing for strong public schools and the future everyone deserves. We’ll work to protect our students and our colleagues. One election doesn’t change what we know in our hearts: our students deserve quality public schools, they deserve dedicated educators, and they deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. We will work every day to ensure students can reach the bright future they deserve.

The HSTA received a wide variety of questions and concerns from educators across the islands in reaction to the election results. Here is a partial list of our members’ comments as well as the answers that we can provide at this time. We will update this post as further details develop.

FAQs

“Very very frightened about what could happen to our union, our budgets, and our curriculum. Would like to know if we have any power or any say to stop what could be coming down.” – Central Chapter member

Hawaiʻi still has a super majority of Democrats in the State House and State Senate. While we anticipate some changes at the federal level, our state government will continue to strongly support public sector unions, educators and working families and our Democratic congressional delegation will continue to fight for us in Washington, D.C. We do not expect drastic changes to our union or our budget. Curriculum changes are not generally set at the federal level, but are brought about by the state Board of Education and implemented by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education.

“I have little faith left in our country, and the direction of education. Pretty sure I will be looking at exiting.” – Molokaʻi Chapter member

In four years, Americans will have the opportunity to vote again. In the meantime, it is more important than ever that experienced teachers remain on the job. We know change can be frightening, but if we stick together, we can weather whatever storms may affect us together. As always, HSTA will fight to protect our members.

“Due to the current political changes that may occur, which may include getting rid of the U.S. Department of Education, if I retire on Jan. 3, 2025, before things go south, would my pension be guaranteed for the rest of my life? If I hold on to Jan. 3, 2026, would I lose out on my pension if the U.S. Department of Education is shut down? I would actually like to work past 2026, but I want to make sure I’ll have some retirement for my future.” – Honolulu Chapter member

Rest assured, state and county pensions in the islands are funded by our state and county governments and do not rely on funding from the U.S. Education Department. Your pension will be fine whether you retire this January, in January of 2026 or in future years. More information on the Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaiʻi can be found at its website.

According to a recent National Public Radio story, the U.S. Department of Education was created by Congress and “to formally abolish [it], there is no way around needing 60 votes in [the U.S. Senate],” said Max Eden, a senior fellow at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute.

How easy is it to find 60 senators willing to abolish the department? “It’s next to impossible to see how you get 60 votes on that anytime soon,” Eden told NPR.

Even if the department were somehow shut down, NPR noted, the many things the department does wouldn’t necessarily go with it. For example: The major K-12 funding streams the department administers – including billions of Title I dollars to public schools in low-wealth communities – were created by Congress well before the department even existed. What’s more, there’s no sign of bipartisan support for scaling back Title I.

“Scared. Advocates for children need to continue fighting to support quality education provided by certified professionals” – Central Chapter member

HSTA has a strong legislative program and will continue to fight for educators, public education and our keiki. We are gearing up for the 2025 legislative session and are hopeful for some positive outcomes. The Democratic majority in Hawaiʻi intends to continue advocating for children, educators, working families and public education.

“Trump’s administration will divert public school funds to a voucher system to support private schools. This will break down the equalizing effect that public schools attempt to have. My personal reason for teaching is to disrupt poverty, since COVID I have felt less and less effective at this, and I fear that the federal government will further make this impossible.” – Honolulu Chapter member

The Hawaiʻi state constitution prohibits using public money for private schools, prohibiting vouchers with state funds in Hawaiʻi. However, the federal government is not prevented from offering federal money to private schools. That said, there are restrictions – until the U.S. Supreme Court rules otherwise – that prevent civil rights discrimination by those who receive federal funding.

Time and time again, voters have rejected voucher proposals at the ballot box. This election was no different. Voters in Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado decisively rejected ballot measures that would have allowed politicians to siphon taxpayer funds from public to private schools. Across the board—parents, caregivers, educators, and community members from both Republican and Democratic backgrounds, as well as voters in urban, suburban and rural communities alike—continue to stand firm against vouchers.