{"id":1407,"date":"2026-06-16T08:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T08:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=1407"},"modified":"2026-06-16T08:05:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T08:05:02","slug":"after-33-years-kauai-educator-steps-away-after-facing-a-tough-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=1407","title":{"rendered":"After 33 years, Kauai educator steps away after facing a tough decision"},"content":{"rendered":"
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KAPA\u2019A, KAUA\u2019I (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Garden Island community is rallying behind a longtime educator who will no longer be in the classroom next school year.<\/p>\n

Read more Suspect charged with attempted murder in Hopaka St. shooting<\/a><\/p>\n

Education vs. experience is at the core of the issue after the family of Hawaiian Studies Kumu U\u2019ilani Gutierrez says she was forced to make a difficult decision.<\/p>\n

For 33 years, Gutierrez has taught generations of students Hawaiian culture and language at Kapa\u2019a Elementary School. <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s affected so much people and it\u2019s like, how can you remove that from the school, you know? How can you remove that from the families?\u201d her granddaughter Shayna Rapozo-Kamoku said.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Gutierrez was was employed on campus under the Hawaii State Department of Education\u2019s Kupuna Program, which bridges community elders, kumu, and practitioners with subject knowledge to teachers and students. <\/p>\n

But the department says that program is considered a casual, part-time position, adding that employees there are \u201chired on a temporary basis and are not guaranteed continued employment from year to year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her family says she was recently pushed into one of two options: return to college to obtain a bachelor\u2019s degree or lose her job. She opted to step away for the time being due to time and financial restraints.<\/p>\n

Read more Zippy\u2019s to close Hualapai Way location in Las Vegas<\/a><\/p>\n

An HIDOE spokesperson said, \u201cThe school has determined that its instructional needs for the upcoming school year require a full-time teacher position to support the \u02bbIke Hawai\u02bbi, or Hawaiian Studies, program,\u201d adding the issue is not related to her years of service, but rather qualification requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, school is important. Always, always go to college, always take the opportunity to go to school. But again, respect your elders. They have far more experience within the workplace, especially being 33 years in that area,\u201d her granddaughter added.<\/p>\n

A petition started by the family to honor Gutierrez\u2019s years of service has gotten over 600 signatures from the community. Click here to view it.<\/p>\n

The family says she\u2019s hopeful another teaching role opens up elsewhere as they move on from this unfortunate situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe felt so unappreciated and I wanted to show her like, grandma, this whole island loves you. Everybody loves you. Everybody\u2019s gonna see this and they\u2019re gonna think … this is crazy what the school has come to making this decision,\u201d Rapozo-Kamoku said.<\/p>\n

In their statement, the HIDOE did express appreciation for Kumu\u2019s many years of service, saying they understand the strong feelings of the school community. They also remain committed to supporting the program while meeting staffing requirements.<\/p>\n

Read more Kapolei family follows 12-year-old\u2019s pro soccer dream to Brazil<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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