Teacher who lost home to lava thanks colleagues for generosity; HSTA reaches out
Widowed just two years ago, Pahoa Elementary School Teacher Amber Makuakane lost her Puna home to the lava, one of the first structures claimed my Madame Pele. She and her two children—ages 4 and 6—evacuated from their Leilani Estates home on Friday, May 4. 
Above: Donations are pouring in for Makuakane, daughter Alana (6) and son Aaron, (4).Makuakane and her children are staying with friends while trying to find a place to rent while replacing the basics of life. She and her family escaped with three trash bags of clothes, a few towels and blankets, a cooler, the kids’ bikes, a grill and important documents. Otherwise, they have nothing left. 
Above: the Makuakane home before and after it was covered in lava.Her teacher colleagues have set up a GoFundMe page for Makuakane which had raised $63,074 as of mid morning Friday, May 11. Makuakane was born and raised in Puna, graduating from Pahoa High.
“Please extend a huge mahalo to HSTA and my fellow colleagues for the outpouring of love and support,” she said. “It is evident that the aloha spirit is alive and well here in Hawaii. I am truly blessed to be a member of HSTA and a teacher at Pahoa Elementary!”
HSTA monitoring lava threat; will help teachers, students as needed
HSTA President Corey Rosenlee will travel to Hawaii Island Tuesday to meet teachers in some of the schools affected by the lava outbreaks and speak to Hilo Chapter’s last RA of the school year. At Tuesday's Hilo RA, which is 5 p.m. at Keeau Elementary library, HSTA will collect bottled water, canned goods, household items, children’s toys, books and clothing to distribute to affected teachers and their families. You can also drop off donations during the work day at HSTA's Hilo office, 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 219.
“We are deeply concerned about our teachers and keiki who are affected by the lava flows in Puna. The HSTA will continue monitoring the situation and offer any help we can,” Rosenlee said.
Hilo HSTA Chapter President Dawn Raymond said, “The Hilo Chapter is a close-knit group and we always take care of each other. We are ready to support our fellow teachers with anything they need during this stressful time.”
If teachers need or want to help, let HSTA know
Oahu, Kauai flood victims receive relief from NEA; Kauai teachers, school get HSTA aid
The HSTA is providing $200 checks to five teachers from Hanalei Elementary. Two of them had their classrooms badly damaged by flooding last month, while the other three are teaching in a temporary location to serve students cut off by flood damage to Kuhio Highway. The HSTA is also sending a $1,000 check to Hanalei's PTSA to help the school recover from the flood.Meanwhile, NEA Member Benefits has activated its Disaster Relief Program (DRP) in response to a FEMA-declared major disaster from April 13 – 16, 2018 that affected Oahu and Kauai.
NEA MB and its business partners stand ready to assist by providing resources to affected members and affiliates, and special accommodations to NEA member-participants in NEA MB programs, such as a one-year waiver in paying premiums for NEA life insurance and other products.
This specially designed web page provides details about the resources and accommodations available to affected members.
iPad Institute contest winners revealed
 It’s nice to wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week by announcing the grand prize winner of HSTA’s Institute Day contest. Lorinda Inouye, the tech coordinator at Kapolei High, had more entries than any other member – 287! Lorinda told us that on top of following HSTA’s social media, she made a strong effort referring friends to the contest, which gave her an additional 50 entries per person. Watch her surprised and excited reaction as HSTA President Corey Rosenlee gives her the grand prize, an iPad Pro.Congrats also to Ashlie Johnson, a special education teacher at Makakilo Elementary! She also won an iPad as part of our contest. Watch this video with her reaction as Rosenlee gives her the prize in Makakilo’s front office. Last week, we announced Wailuku Elementary teacher Debra Lynn Ho also won an iPad in our Institute Day contest. Watch this video as HSTA Maui Chapter President Alan Isbell reveals the surprise while Wailuku Elementary Head Representative Denise Gima looks on. Mahalo to all 1,140 teachers who entered the contest by answering trivia questions about the many benefits of being an HSTA member, uploading selfies and following our social media platforms.
Today only: Free coffee at Jack in the Box
Some like it hot. Some like it iced. But everyone likes it free. Jack in the Box Hawaii celebrates teachers and as a thank you will give away FREE regular sized hot or iced Hawaiian Paradise coffee Friday May 11, 2018 to cap off Teacher’s Appreciation Week. Just show your school ID or pay stub. 
HSTA victories: New funding source for schools, pesticide buffer zones near schools
Getting a constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall to better fund schools is the HSTA’s biggest and most important legislative achievement this year. Here’s a list of the school-related bills that passed the Legislature:
Constitutional amendment. If approved by voters, it would give the state the power to create a investment real property surcharge, bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into the public school system. PASSED. It will be on the November Ballot!! [more details] (SB2922)
Paid family leave. PASSED, awaiting signature from the governor. [more details](SB2990)
Conversion therapy ban. PASSED, awaiting signature from the governor [more details] (SB270)
Pesticide ban, school buffer zone, study. PASSED, awaiting signature from the governor. [more details] (SB3095)
Read a detailed summary of this year's legislative session. (This summary includes proposals we advocated for that did not pass)Here are some arguments, statistics and sources to help you make the case for the constitutional amendment to create a new funding stream for public schools. Click below for details and links: 
Read a detailed summary of this year's legislative session.
Are you one of 1,400 teachers whose license expires this year?
The Hawaii Teachers Standards Board (HTSB) has asked the HSTA to remind members that teachers need to renew their licenses in a timely manner. As of mid-April, there were approximately 1,400 teachers whose licenses will expire this year, so they need to take action before June 30, 2018. Failure to hold a valid license may result in a fine of up to $500.If your license expires on June 30, 2018, you must login to your HTSB account before June 29, 2018, and complete your renewal process. Here is the link to the HTSB. You are strongly encouraged to renew early in the renewal period, as you must allow for processing time. Renewals submitted after June 29, 2018, may not be processed in the event of unexpected issues.
HMSA members: Enter contest for $500 gift cards and get healthier!
See who's representing you at NEA RA
Teacher delegates from across the state have been elected by their chapters to represent their colleagues at this year's National Education Association's NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly. It will be held in Minneapolis, Minn. from June 29 to July 5. This year, the HSTA is funding 65 of 97 delegates to attend the NEA RA. Some of the 32 unfunded delegates are choosing to attend by paying their own way. Mahalo to all the delegates for their service to fellow teachers! Here is the list of 2018 NEA RA delegates.While in Minneapolis, RA delegates will propose, debate, and take action on new business items for the Association and other association policies, and vote by secret ballot on proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. Proposed constitutional amendments to the 2018 NEA RA
We need to invest in our schools to give our educators and our students the resources to excel.
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