“Teaching is the way we elevate our society,” Governor Green said. “Wages have to increase, quality of life has to be addressed and I think that’s what’s done in this contract.”

Subject to its approval by HSTA members in a vote scheduled for April 26, the agreement will raise average annual teacher pay by 3.4% to help stabilize Hawaii’s public education workforce, increase starting salaries for new teachers to help with recruitment, and grant bonuses for the most experienced teachers to increase teacher retention.

The administration described the deal as a way to strengthen recruitment and retention of qualified teachers in Hawaii, with entry-level teachers seeing a starting pay increase from about $38,000 to $50,000 or more.

Governor Green also pointed out that at the current starting salary for a public school teacher in Hawaii, a couple with a child would be living below the poverty level, adding, "It’s really just unconscionable that a teacher would have to live near poverty.”

HSTA President Osa Tui Jr. called the process "the most collaborative I’ve experienced… We’re also extremely grateful to Governor Josh Green, who joined us on the last day of bargaining and actively helped…”

Friend, better pay for teachers, combined with proposed tax relief and child care tax credits in the Green Affordability Plan and bold action on housing and homelessness, will help make Hawaii more affordable, increase our quality of life, and build a better future for everyone in our state.

We will keep you informed in the coming weeks and months as Governor Green continues taking action on these issues to move Hawaii forward.

Mahalo,

Team Green