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Tūtū & Me families explored the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi
Volcanoes National Park recently, and learned about health.
See details below. Photo
from Tūtū & Me
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| Gov. David Ige, who was endorsed by the HSTA in his run for governor (above), made a joint proposal with the union and the state Department of Education today to raise teacher pay for rural areas like Kaʻū. HSTA photo |
At the press conference today, the governor said, "This is just the first step of many that will be taken by the Board and Department, which I plan to support. Phase I addresses critical areas where students need the most attention and where we have seen the most prolonged periods of vacancies."
Board of Education Chair Catherine Payne said, "This is the first of several steps we need to take to support our talented educators. It will take strong policy direction from the Board to shift the Department's trajectory and we appreciate Governor Ige's support as we go forward with these efforts."
Examples of the kind of pay to be provided, if the measure passes, were given in a public statement. A beginning 10-month special education classroom teacher with a bachelor's degree who has completed a state approved teacher education program, holds a license from the Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board, and who currently earns $49,100, would be eligible to receive an annual $10,000 differential. A qualified Hawaiian immersion teacher with five or six years experience and a master's degree, working at a hard-to-staff school on Moloka‘i currently earning $54,619, would be eligible to receive an annual $16,000 differential – Hard-to-staff Tier 4 plus Hawaiian Immersion.
The DOE estimates the special education pay differential would cost $8.45 million in fiscal year 2020, which ends June 30, based on 1,691 special education teachers who are currently eligible. The hard-to-staff differential is estimated to cost an additional $6 million in FY 2020, based on 2,109 teachers in all tiers of hard-to-staff areas. The Hawaiian immersion differential is expected to cost approximately $216,000 in FY 2020, based on 54 teachers who are currently eligible.
Hawaiʻi state Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christina Kishimoto, called the initiative critical in addressing the achievement gap. "There is no single solution to the teacher staffing challenges we're seeing nationwide.
"The difficulties in recruiting qualified
teachers for special education, Hawaiian Language Immersion programs, and
hard-to-staff areas have created an equity issue for our most vulnerable
students. We have listened to the feedback of our educators and it's time for
bold action to unleash the promise and power of public education on behalf of
our haumana."
"The difficulties in recruiting qualified
teachers for special education, Hawaiian Language Immersion programs, and
hard-to-staff areas have created an equity issue for our most vulnerable
students. We have listened to the feedback of our educators and it's time for
bold action to unleash the promise and power of public education on behalf of
our haumana."
Corey Rosenlee, president of the Hawai‘i
State Teachers Association, expressed his commitment to partner with DOE: "Today
is the first step of a multi-phased plan to ensure that all our keiki,
regardless of where they live, what their special needs are, or their
ethnicity, are taught by highly qualified teachers."
The pay hikes are part of an initiative
to tackle Hawai‘i's teacher shortage by providing incentives for educators
teaching in critical areas. The first phase would implement a pay differential
to increase compensation for classroom teachers in areas that have faced the
most severe shortages, including hard-to-staff geographic locations like Kaʻū.
DOE
announced that Phase II is expected to be launched by an additional proposal to
the Board in January, to include release of the results of a teacher salary
study the DOE commissioned earlier this year.
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Tūtū & Me keiki and caregivers at Kahuku Unit,
increasing
dexterity and using creativity while
having fun building. Photo from Tūtū
& Me
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TŪTŪ AND ME FAMILIES CELEBRATED HEALTHY LIVING with a recent
huakaʻi, trip, to the Kahuku Unit of Volcanoes
National Park
Michelle Buck, Site Manager for Hawaiʻi South Partners
in Development Foundation and Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool, said "We
had a wonderful, healthy day!"
If interested in the
Preschool Program in Waiʻōhinu or the Home Visiting Program in Pāhala, contact
Michelle at 808-929-8571.
HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK issued a statement today to
remind the public that national parks across America
will modify entrance fees to provide additional funding for infrastructure and
maintenance needs to enhance the visitor experience.
Effective Jan. 1, entrance fees to Hawaiʻi
Volcanoes will be $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per pedestrian
or bicyclist. The receipt allows entry for seven days. The Park has
charged an entrance fee since 1987. The current rate of $25 per vehicle or $20
per motorcycle has been in effect since June
1, 2017 . The park is one of the 117 National Park Service sites
that charge an entrance fee; the other 300-plus national parks will remain free
to enter.
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Walking through Kīlauea Iki becomes more expensive as of
Jan. 1.
NPS photo by Janice Wei
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Use of
the additional revenue from entrance fees at Hawai‘i Volcanoes will include the
rehabilitation of the ‘Ōhi‘a Wing into a cultural museum and archives, a new
park orientation film, new exhibits that interpret the 2018 eruption, and trail
improvements.
According to the statement,
"Revenue from entrance fees remains in the National Park Service and helps
ensure a quality experience for all who visit. At Hawai‘i Volcanoes National
Park, at least 80 percent of entrance fees stay in the park and are devoted to
spending that supports the visitor. The remaining 20 percent of entrance fee
income is shared with other national parks for their projects.
"In response to public comments on
a fee proposal released by NPS in October 2017, the changes reflect a modest
increase for all fee-charging parks, rather than the higher peak-season fees
initially proposed for 17 highly visited national parks on the mainland."
National
parks have experienced record-breaking visitation, with more than 1.5 billion
visitors in the last five years. Hawai‘i Volcanoes hosted 1.1 million visitors
in 2018. The Park spent $94.1 million in communities near the park. That
spending supported 1,040 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to
the local economy of $123 million, according to a Park analysis.
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Entrance fees to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, to see sights
like the
collapsed summit of Kīlauea Volcano, will increase as of Jan. 1,
to help pay for improvements and to maintain the Park.
NPS
photo by Janice Wei
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Throughout
the country, the combination of an aging infrastructure and increased
visitation has put a strain on park roads, bridges, campgrounds, waterlines,
bathrooms, and other visitor services, and led to an $11.9 billion deferred maintenance
backlog nationwide.
The Tri
Park Pass, an annual pass that allows visitors unlimited entry to the three
fee-charging national parks in Hawai‘i – Hawai‘i Volcanoes and Haleakalā
National Parks, and Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park – will
increase from $50 to $55 on Jan. 1, 2020.
The price of the
annual America
the Beautiful National
Parks Federal
Lands Annual Pass Lifetime Senior
Pass
The
complete fee schedule for Hawaiʻi Volcaneos will change as follows on Jan. 1, 2020 : Per vehicle
seven-day pass is currently $25 and will increase $5 to $30. Per person
entry, pedestrians and bicycles, is currently $12, and will increase $3 to
$15. Entry per motorcycle is currently $20, and will increase $5 to
$25. Tri Park
Pass
Visitors
can enjoy four free days at all fee-charging national parks in 2020: Monday,
Jan. 20, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Saturday, April 18, the first day of
National Park Week and Junior Ranger Day; Tuesday, Aug. 25, National Park
Service birthday; and Wednesday, Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.
ONGOING
Holiday Ornament Registration, through Dec. 16, Kahuku Park. Program takes place Wednesday, Dec. 18, 3-4p.m. Ages 6-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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UPCOMING
THURSDAY, DEC. 5
Women's Expression Group, Thursday, Dec. 5 – 1st Thursday monthly – 3-4:30p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org
Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, Dec. 5, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:30-8:30p.m., Aspen Center. okaukakou.org
Strong Seniors Chair Exercise Class - 4 weeks,
Painting from Observation with Lisa Maria Martin, Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, 9a.m.-3p.m. , Volcano Art Center
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, Dec. 7, 10a.m.-1p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Blackwater Railroad Company Band, Saturday, Dec. 7, 7-10p.m. , Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
TUESDAY, DEC. 10
Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, Dec. 5, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:30-8:30p.m., Aspen Center. okaukakou.org
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
Fit & Firm Volcano Medium Intensity Strength Adult Exercise Class - 4 weeks, Fridays, starting Dec. 6, 8-9a.m. ,Volcano Art Center
Stewardship at the Summit, Dec. 6, 13, 21 and 28, 8:45a.m. , meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
AdvoCATS, Saturday, Dec. 7, 7a.m.-4:30p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
Realms and Divisions, Saturday, Dec. 7, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult, two-mile, hike. Bring snack. nps.gov/havo
Keiki Science Class, Saturday, Dec. 7 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m. -noon , Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free.
SUNDAY, DEC. 8
41st Pāhala Christmas Parade, Sunday, Dec. 8, starts at Pāhala Armory. Eddie Andrade, 928-0808
Pele & Hi‘iaka, Sunday, Dec. 8,9:30-11:30a.m. , Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo
Pele & Hi‘iaka, Sunday, Dec. 8,
Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, Dec. 8 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3-5p.m. , Volcano Art Center
MONDAY, DEC. 9
Accordion Paper Reindeer Activity Registration, Dec. 9-17, Ka‘u District Gym. Program takes place Wednesday, Dec. 18, 3:30-5p.m. , multipurpose room. Grades K-6. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation
Birding at Kīpukapuaulu, Tuesday, Dec. 10 and 24, and Thursday, Dec. 12 and 26, 8-10a.m. , Kīpukapuaulu - Bird Park Volcanoes National Park
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Lauhala Weaving Ku‘uipo Kakahiki-Morales, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 11a.m.-1p.m. , Volcano Art Center
After Dark in the Park: 100th Anniversary of the Mauna Iki Eruption, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7-8p.m. , Kīlauea Visitor Center
Pom Pom Wreath Registration, through Dec. 4. Kahuku Park Ha
Santa's Workshop Event Registration, through Dec. 11, Ka‘ū District Gym. Event takes place Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-7:30p.m. All ages. 928-31
Christmas Coloring Contest Registration, through Dec. 11, Ka‘ū District Gym. Deadline for entries is Thursday, Dec. 12, 6p.m. Grades Pre-K t
Holiday Ornament Registration, through Dec. 16, Kahuku Park. Program takes place Wednesday, Dec. 18, 3-4p.m. Ages 6-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation
Christmas in the Country featuring 20th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, daily, through Dec. 31, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees app
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League Registration and First Practice: Ocean View Team - Monday, Dec. 2, and Wednesday, Dec. 4, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesday, Dec. 3, and Thursday, Dec. 5, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice and registration. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
