Latest news with #HIDOE
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Workforce housing for educators gets underway in West Maui
State and county officials broke ground this week on a $20 million workforce housing project aimed at providing rental units for public school employees in West Maui, many of whom continue to face housing challenges in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. The state Department of Education is leading the 47-unit project, which will be built by Maui-based Dowling Co. on approximately 5 acres situated between Princess Nahienaena Elementary and Lahainaluna High School. The rental complex is intended to support educator retention and recruitment in the region. State schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi said the project is designed to provide housing stability for school staff. 'This development is pivotal to the retention and recruitment of our West Maui staff. We cannot afford to lose our educators. Their presence, their stability, their relationships with students is what helps our students learn, heal and move forward, ' Hayashi said. 'When teachers have secure housing, students have stable classrooms.' Housing shortages in Lahaina were already a concern before the 2023 wildfires and have worsened since the disaster. According to a DOE employee survey, nearly one-third of HIDOE staff on Maui reported being displaced by the fires. More than 20 % of Lahaina-based educators indicated they are considering leaving the state due to housing costs. For newer hires, housing affordability was the most cited factor influencing their decision to stay or leave. The new rental complex will include one-and two-bedroom units with income-based rents. HIDOE is still finalizing application details, but priority will be given to public school employees who were displaced by the wildfires—both those still working in West Maui and those who were forced to relocate elsewhere. 'This project responds directly to that need—the need for housing our school employees, ' Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said. 'That will bring consistency to our classrooms that allows those who guide, who nourish, who transport and care for our students to remain close to the places they serve.' Lahainaluna High School Principal Richard Carosso echoed those concerns, saying housing instability threatens the fabric of school communities. 'It was hard before the fires to have people be able to commit and live and be full-time educators and staff members out here in Lahaina. The fires and the cost of living going up has just made it harder and harder, ' Carosso said. 'And that just hurts us from the point of building our culture of our schools—because they're not here as readily for the kids in the afternoon, for kids in the evenings, to go to games, to be part of clubs. So bringing people back to our hill, to our place, is what this project is about.' Everett Dowling, founder and president of Dowling Co., said the project aims to help educators get back on their feet and save for the long term. 'It's an honor to work on this project. We're very anxious to get started. We have a tight timetable and we'll make that, I'm sure, ' Dowling said. 'Homeownership equity is the largest creator of wealth in the country. But in order to buy a home, you have to save some money. Hopefully, this project will enable employees of the DOE here on the west side to put some money aside as the community rebuilds.' Officials emphasized that the development not only addresses housing, but also strengthens the broader recovery effort by keeping experienced educators rooted in the community. No estimated completion date has been released yet.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
HIDOE students feast on sweet potatoes
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi public schools, like Hilo Union School, saw the return of local ʻuala, a sweet potato, to the school's lunch menus. According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, approximately 372 pounds of local Okinawan sweet potato were distributed to 91 participating schools. Sweet surprises await at Kulu Kulu Students enjoyed ʻuala in its steamed form for the Month of May. HIDOE said that the ingredient will expand also to be served as potato mash and yogurt bowls in the next school year. 'It's good. It's got a nice texture. The flavor, it's always been my favorite part,' said Hilo Union School sixth grader Isabella-Marie Wells. 'And I always know that it has a lot of nutrition in it; so, I know it's really good for me.'HIDOE said the Okinawan sweet potatoes have more antioxidants than other kinds of sweet potatoes, as it contains high levels of anthocyanin. The root is also rich in vitamins A, C and B6. Wells isn't the only fan of the food. The ʻuala is liked by students, especially due to its differing flavor from a traditional potato. Like first grade student Jaxon TongaBennette-Drayer said: 'It tastes like a normal potato, but it's sweeter.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Outrageous:' Hawaii Sen. Schatz on Maui ICE investigation
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Department of Education and Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz are reaching out to several teachers, who were reportedly investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. New UH Manoa dashboard tracks Hawaii's weather in real time According to HIDOE, there was an incident involving agents at a private residence, housing several international teachers on Maui. Officials said the teachers are employed through the U.S. Department of State's J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program, which allows educators from other countries to work here legally. HIDOE added that the teachers are safe and accounted for, as the situation was resolved on-site with no arrests made. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You In a statement, Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz called the incident 'outrageous' and 'a shameful abuse of power.' We are a nation of laws, but the broad ICE raids this week are clearly designed just to instill fear. Our teachers, our visitors, and our neighbors deserve dignity and safety, not fear of seemingly arbitrary harassment. Sen. Brian Schatz (D) Hawaii Officials said Sen. Schatz and HIDOE are in contact with one another to offer assistance to teachers impacted by the raid. Check out more news from around Hawaii KHON2 has reached out to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment and is waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
ʻAikahi Elementary School in Kailua to be closed on March 24
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi Department of Education announced on the night of March 24 that ʻAikahi Elementary School in Kailua will be closed to students and staff on March 25. The HIDOE says that there is a 'continued presence of a chemical odor on and around campus. The Honolulu Fire Department has been unable to identify the source of the odor.'The elementary school is notifying their staff, students and families of the closure. All public schools and HIDOE offices will be closed on March 26 in honor of Prince Kūhiō Day. This brings ʻAikahi Elementary School's reopening to March 27, unless otherwise noted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Could Hawaii public schools see consolidation of campuses?
HONOLULU (KHON2) — With enrollment declining at Hawaii public schools, Hawaii State Department of Education officials are considering a consolidation of campuses. Hawaii public schools to see these price increases The Department of Education initiated a discussion based on decreased student headcounts over the past decade. HIDOE said they will spend the spring 'to engage with stakeholder groups and gain feedback on its process.' How, where to see total lunar eclipse tonight on each Hawaiʻi island While no particular schools have been listed, identifications could be made in fall 2025 once enrollment counts have been completed. Check out more news from around Hawaii Officials said the following factors would be considered: What to know about U.S.'s addition to human rights watch list Enrollment trends and the ability of neighboring schools to accommodate students Physical condition and usage of school facilities Operating costs and potential financial savings Social and community impacts 'This proposal will happen in the midst of next session and I can assure you there will be pushback. No matter what the list looks like, there's going to be political pushback,' said Roy Takumi, Board of Education chairperson. Is the 'American Dream' dead in Hawaiʻi? New report reveals 8 issues Superintendent Keith Hayashi emphasized the department's commitment to delivering high-quality educational opportunities to Hawaii students and wants to make the best use of public resources.'This review is an important part of planning for the future of our public school system. We understand the concerns that arise around school consolidations, and we will keep our communities informed throughout the process,' Hayashi added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
