Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, September 29, 2019

Three injection wells, tagged in blue, will be deepened from 400 feet to 800 ft by Hū Honua Bioenergy, LLC, in preparation for the biofuels electric plant to operate. Testing and another public comment period are required before it can go online.  Eucalyptus trees grown above Pāhala and elsewhere on the island would be the biofuel. See story below. Image from Hū Honua

TEACHERS MET THIS WEEK in Keaʻau for two "listening sessions," hosted by the state Department of Education. The department's goal, according to hsta.org, is to "gather feedback to refine and potentially recommend changes to the teacher compensation system." According to an article by Stephanie Salmons of Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald, veteran and new teachers spoke at the meeting, telling DOE representatives about their passion for teaching and the struggles that come with a career in education.

     Hawaiʻi State Teacher's Association President Corey Rosenlee said in a message to members: "Hawaiʻi teachers have long known that when you adjust for cost of living, we are the lowest paid in the nation. But too often, when it comes to salary studies, they never take Hawaiʻi's high cost of living into account. This is our opportunity to not only advocate for how we should pay educators in Hawaiʻi, but to look at the impact that low salaries have had on our students and teachers.

     "We need educators to go to these meetings to talk about the impact our salaries have on them and their students so that when the state is looking at salaries, they can take all of this into mind and adjust for these important needs.

     "Ending the teacher shortage crisis in Hawaiʻi would have a direct impact on our students. Our estimate is that 60,000 students go to school every day and don't have a qualified teacher. And salaries are a huge component of making sure that we have enough teachers in Hawaiʻi." He said the public, legislature, and DOE need to hear from them "what is a fair compensation package. And if we don't show up, and don't make our voices heard, then we've seen in the past that they ignore our concerns, and produce studies that are ineffective in addressing the teacher shortage crisis."

     In a recent study, WalletHub reported Hawaiʻi ranks third worst, 49th out of 51, for teachers in the U.S. Adjusted for cost of living, Hawaiʻi has the worst average salary and the 41st worst starting salary. Income Growth Potential for Hawaiʻi teachers is the 44th worst. Hawaiʻi's public school system ranks 36th of 51, and 31st in pupil-teacher ratio and in how salary increases over ten years. However, the AlohaState is 16th highest is spending on public school education per student. Read the whole report at wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-teachers/7159/.

Hawaiʻi State Teacher's Association President Corey Rosenlee

     Hawaiʻi Public Schools' website states, for the 2018-19 school year, teachers with a Bachelors degree started with salaries as low  as $35,962, while teachers with a PhD or EdD started as low as $61,094. Those with teaching experience started at higher salaries. All teachers receive a 3.5 percent raise from 1st quarter to 2ndquarter.

     Aaron Kubo, vice president of HSTA's Hilo Chapter and a teacher at HiloIntermediateSchool, said that many teachers need more than one job to make ends meet, Salmons reported.

     Eric Hagiwara, a math, programming, and robotics teacher at WaiakeaHigh School, has taught for 31 years. He told Salmons, that he tells his students "not to become a teacher" because it would be "totally irresponsible" to recommend a profession where, after getting a four or six-year degree, they would still have to work two jobs.

     Keaʻau Elementary School Principal Janice Blaber told the Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald that she always wanted to be a teacher, but her mother was disappointed because teachers don't make money. When her own daughter announced she wanted to become a teacher, "… I ran to her and I hugged her and I said, 'Oh my gosh! You can live with me! And I'll cook you dinner every night,' because I know how hard it is, because I see teachers that I work with." Blaber also said that a school reflects the community that surrounds it, and one of her biggest concerns is "how are we supporting our communities to also support the schools, on top of ensuring that teachers get paid the professional salaries that they deserve? Because if the community is not behind the school, then the school will not be as successful as it can be, and what happens is trauma and stress affect the school. And we keep asking more and more from schools, when the reality is we need social supports in the community to support everything that happens around a school."

The Kaʻū High School Class of 2019 depended on their teachers to help guide them to graduation. Photo from Kaʻū High

     Other teachers who spoke during the meeting said that not only are salaries not enough, but that housing is an issue.

     Wendy Nickl, a KohalaMiddle School teacher and registrar who does curriculum coordination at the school as well, drove from Kohala to attend Thursday's listening session, reported Salmons. An educator for 32 years, Nickl loves teaching, she said, but has to have a second job. She said, reported Salmons, that she's concerned for those who are just starting. "We need to take care of our teachers. They're going to burn out."

     After the meeting, Nickl told Salmons that these "listening sessions" are a positive start, that she hopes DOE and the state Board of Education "seriously listen" to the findings, "because all of the people standing were professionals who give their heart and souls to education, and they're the ones in the trenches every day working with our keiki, and they know what they're talking about."

     Said Kubo, "We know there's no magic bullet that's going to cure all of it, but we need to start somewhere, and this listening session is a good start. We just have to make sure we have follow-up sessions to make sure that we incrementally, on both sides… all have some input or say in to how this will move forward," reported Salmons.

ST. JUDE'S OKTOBERFEST celebration will be held on Friday, Oct. 4 at St. Jude's Episcopal Church at 92-8606 Paradise Circle in Ocean View. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6 p.m. Live music by the Last Fling Band. Dinner includes bratwurst, sauerkraut, boiled potatoes, drinks, and dessert. Tickets are $8 per person, $15 for two, or $20 per family. Purchase tickets at Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. or from Thom White, Beverly Nelson, or Cordelia Burt. Leave a message at 808-939-7555 with questions.