Financial support comes after HSTA’s call for additional support for West Maui educators
Posted: August 19, 2024
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) employees who played a critical role in keeping Lahaina schools open following the devastating wildfires on Maui last August will be getting some financial relief.
Gov. Josh Green, M.D., announced Monday the Lahaina HERO Awards, which stands for Honoring Employees’ Resilience and Optimism in serving Lahaina students in spite of the challenges presented by the wildfires.
This one-time initiative will provide financial awards to HIDOE employees who directly supported Lahaina students when the schools reopened for the 2023–24 school year, as well as for the Fall 2024 term. Eligible salaried employees will receive $2,500 per award period, while eligible casual employees will receive up to $1,000. Approximately 400 employees are expected to meet the eligibility criteria for each award period.
| Salaried | Casual | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 School Year: Oct. 16, 2023 through May 30, 2024 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
| Fall 2024: Aug. 5, 2024 through Dec. 20, 2024 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
“The dedication shown by our Lahaina school employees during and after the wildfires is nothing short of extraordinary. They embody the very essence of aloha—resilient in the face of adversity, compassionate in their service to others and deeply committed to the well-being of our keiki,” said Green. “These awards are a heartfelt recognition of their incredible efforts, but more than that, they are a celebration of the unwavering spirit that these individuals have brought to their community.”
The Lahaina HERO Awards are made possible through a generous donation from Marc Benioff, chair and CEO of Salesforce, and his wife, Lynne, longtime Hawai‘i residents and philanthropists who were moved by the incredible challenges faced by these employees and the importance of maintaining educational continuity for Lahaina’s students.
“Education has always been a focus of our philanthropy, as it is the cornerstone of our communities. We are inspired by the commitment of these employees and proud to play a part in ensuring that Lahaina’s children continue to have access to the education they deserve,” the Benioffs said in a statement.
Maui educators’ calls for support yield answers
This financial award comes after more than a dozen Maui teachers flew to Oʻahu to ask for more support following the wildfires. Designated as a hard-to-staff location for years, West Maui is experiencing a critical teacher shortage as many educators are still piecing together their lives, or were forced to leave the area entirely.
In May, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association educator members from Maui made emotional in-person pleas to the state Board of Education to support increased shortage differentials for West Maui teachers, the creation of a fire relief leave bank, and more robust mental health support for all who were impacted, including displaced students. A fire relief leave bank was announced in July.
HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “We are grateful that calls from our Maui educators are being heard and answered. While our West Maui community has demonstrated incredible resilience, their recovery demands a broader, united network of support across our islands. They cannot do it alone. From fellow educators to community partners, we’re glad to see contributors join the effort, and we look forward to even greater support and solidarity as we work together to help our ʻohana.”
Eligibility criteria
Must be a Hawaiʻi State Department of Education employee, salaried or casual, who was on paid status and supported Lahaina schools directly (e.g., on-site) for a minimum number of hours/days during the eligibility periods.
The state estimates 617 eligible employees from the 2023–24 school year: approximately ~370 salaried and 247 casual employees.
Application process, timeline
Eligible active salaried and casual employees who meet the minimum number of days (salaried) or hours (casual) will receive an email from the HIDOE with an application link. . The Maui Economic Development Board will be responsible for issuing the award payments once applications have been processed. The deadline for applications for the 2023–24 school year award is Sept. 3 with payments expected to be processed within six to eight weeks.