Green signs law raising pay for Hawaii public school teachers

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green signed several bills into law Monday aimed at strengthening Hawaii’s education system, including a measure that increases the annual salaries for public school and public charter school teachers.

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When passing House Bill 1890, lawmakers acknowledged Hawaii’s ongoing teacher retention crisis, with public school teachers among the lowest paid in the country when adjusted for cost of living.

The new measure establishes a clear framework for annual salary step increases, resulting in raises for teachers who perform satisfactory service, as well as longevity raises for those who have remained at the highest salary step for at least three years.

“Passion goes a long way, but passion does not pay the bills,” said state Sen. Donna Kim, chair of the Senate Committee on Education. “It doesn’t keep up with all of the increases in the economy and the high cost of living.”

Hawaii State Teachers Association president Osa Tui Jr. pointed to a real-life example of a former teacher who was instrumental in lobbying for the passage of HB1890, but could not afford to stay in Hawaii to see it become law.

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“Sadly, after 10 years with the Hawaii Department of Education, she relocated two weeks ago to Indianapolis, where the school district salary aligns with years of service, which gave her an instant $25,000 salary increase,” Tui said. “When people wonder why Hawaii struggles to recruit and retain educators, lagging compensation is a major reason why.”

The increases are subject to collective bargaining negotiations and appropriations within the Legislature.

Other education-related bills become law

Additional education-related measures that became law Monday:

“Today’s bills remind us that student success doesn’t begin at graduation,” said state Rep. Andrew Garrett, chair of the House Committee on Higher Education. “It begins by removing barriers that stand in a student’s way long before they earn a diploma.”

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