#HSTA

A Maui teacher, who along with other educators was detained by federal law enforcement officers during an early morning raid at a Kahului home Tuesday morning, said agents were looking for a convicted felon.

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature gave final approval Wednesday to Senate Bill 1300, to expand free school meal access to keiki in the ALICE population over the next two school years.

The University of Hawaiʻi faculty have finalized their contract for the next two years, with overwhelming support, the UH Professional Assembly announced on Friday.

A year after devastating fatal wildfires swept through Maui, teachers across the island continue to deal with the tragedy’s profound impact and acknowledge the crucial role played by their union, the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, in recovery efforts.

A Kauaʻi man was recognized on a national stage for his integral role in the preservation and education of an ancient fishpond near Līhuʻe. Fred “Peleke” Flores, field operations and cultural resources manager with Mālama Hulē‘ia, received the Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial Award from the National Education Association in Philadelphia Wednesday.

More than a dozen Maui teachers flew to Oʻahu on Thursday to ask for more support following devastating wildfires last August. 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, according to the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association. Educators on Maui are asking for 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. 

Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green today delivered an address marking one year in office. In his address, he highlighted issues and efforts to address affordable housing, education, tourism, red hill, gun violence, healthcare and Maui’s recovery following the Aug. 8 wildfires.

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, in partnership with Kamehameha Schools, has provided more than 1,000 backpacks to Lahaina students affected by wildfires.

When Lahainaluna High science teacher Jackie Ellis was fleeing deadly Lahaina wildfires last week, she never imagined a chance encounter at a stoplight would mean saving her former student’s life.

Hawaiʻi’s public school teachers have overwhelmingly approved a new four-year contract providing pay raises of approximately 14.5%, as well as other cost and non-cost improvements.

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association has reached a tentative, four-year contract settlement for 13,500 teachers represented by the union. The deal proposes approximately 14.5% pay increases over the four-year contract.

The show raised more than $45,000 to support Hawaiʻi educators and maintain high-quality education for keiki. 

Campaign event listings are posted here: Bissen gets Carepenter’s Union endorsement; Victorino receives HSTA endorsement; Friends of Tasha Kama to host Talk Story Dinner, Oct. 26.

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s Board of Directors recently approved hiring Ann Mahi, a veteran Hawaiʻi teacher, administrator, union and student advocate, as its executive director.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education worked in partnership with the state Department of Health to ensure health and safety protocols are consistent with the latest DOH guidance for schools as the number of projected students returning to in-person learning in the fourth quarter increase.

Instead of a 10 percent cut to the Department of Education budget, Gov. Ige said target reductions for the DOE have been reset to 2.5 percent.

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Friday filed a prohibited practice complaint with the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board, challenging the state’s imposition of furloughs, which affects more than 13,000 HSTA members starting Jan. 4.

Hawaiʻi’s four public worker unions have voiced opposition to Governor David Ige’s furlough plan that calls for two unpaid days off each month for a 9.2% reduction in pay while in effect.

The Hawaii State Board of Education will hold two meetings Dec. 3 to vote on the proposed Department of Education budget that could lead to the layoff of teachers.

The state Department of Education is defending itself from criticism after the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association pressed the department over an alleged delay in reporting of COVID-19 cases and lack of transparency–claims the department rejects.