She fought for improving educators’ pay and student well-being
Posted: June 21, 2026
Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association President Osa Tui, Jr. released this statement about the retirement of State Sen. Michelle Kidani (D, Mililani Town, Waipiʻo Gentry, Crestview, Waikele):
On behalf of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association and the thousands of educators we represent across our islands, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to State Sen. Michelle Kidani for her extraordinary leadership and unwavering dedication during her tenure as the chair of the Senate Education Committee. Throughout her years of service, Senator Kidani has been a fierce champion for our public schools, consistently demonstrating a profound passion for uplifting our educators and ensuring every student has the resources they need to thrive. Her collaborative spirit and willingness to listen to our teachers’ voices have left an enduring mark on our public school system.
Her impactful legacy is deeply felt through critical legislative milestones aimed at improving both educator compensation and student well-being. Senator Kidani was instrumental in securing the historic funding necessary to address teacher salary compression, ensuring our veteran educators are fairly and duly rewarded for their years of commitment to the profession. This dedication to our school communities extended to addressing students’ holistic needs, including her support for the passage of SB 1300, which established the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Families School Meals program. While there is always more work to be done, this bill was an important step in the right direction because a hungry child cannot learn, helping to guarantee that more students across Hawaiʻi have access to the daily nutrition required for academic success.
As Senator Kidani prepares for her well-deserved retirement, we celebrate her immense contributions to our community and the positive changes she has brought to our schools. The fruits of her labor will continue to benefit Hawaiʻi’s keiki and educators for years to come. We thank her for her years of dedicated service, her relentless advocacy, and her true partnership in the mission to provide a high-quality public education for all.