Gov. Green signs law protecting school workers, sports officials from harassment
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green signed a series of bills Monday to strengthen Hawaii’s education system, including one inspired by a video showing a school athletic director getting hit by a parent after a basketball game.
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Green stood at the bill signing with Natalie Iwamoto, Moanalua High School’s assistant athletic director, who was seen on video being struck by a parent following a basketball game.
The Hawaii State Department of Education banned both parents involved from school property, and the criminal case remains under adjudication.
“I’m so sorry you went through that. You look great. I hear you are a great person. No person should ever feel threatened or be assaulted,” Green said to Iwamoto.
What Act 234 does
House Bill 1888, Act 234, makes the intentional, knowing, or reckless disruption or interference with a school function, school administration, or school board an offense under harassment. It also makes harassment of an educational worker and sports officials during their duties a misdemeanor.
The law also requires the attorney general to assist educational workers and sports officials in obtaining a temporary restraining order.
Voices at the signing
Osa Tui Jr., president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said the Iwamoto incident helped push the legislation forward.
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“It is unfortunate that it took video of the assault of assistant athletic director Natalie Iwamoto to finally get this effort across the finish line,” Tui said.
Tui said the law addresses what workers have been seeking from their employer.
“Workers want to feel that they’ll have the support of their employer to better protect themselves from outside harassers and this law will go a long way including the development of emergency safety plans, working with law enforcement, assisting with legal actions and providing paid leave to attend court proceedings,” Tui said.
Cal Evans, board president of the Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame, said the law benefits the officiating community.
“This is absolutely necessary. It helps us in the officiating community to recruit officials, retain officials when they know there is some protection and the state is supporting their efforts,” Evans said.
Also present at the bill signing was Lindsey Chambers, a former HIDOE employee who was harassed by a parent in a separate case.
State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, chair of the Senate Education Committee, said, “This bill strengthens the protections against harassment, intimidation and work place threats, and it helps ensures that our educators and school employees can do their duties without fear.”
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