URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO BEGIN INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS TEACHER RETENTION IN THE STATE.

HR177

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

177

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

urging the department of education to begin initiatives
to address teacher retention in the state
.

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WHEREAS, teachers
play an essential role in shaping school environments, fostering student
engagement, and providing mentorship and guidance to the next generation,
serving as the foundation of Hawaii's public education system; and

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WHEREAS, teacher
retention continues to present a significant challenge across the State, with
approximately fifty percent of teachers leaving the profession within their initial
five years of teaching and approximately ten percent of teachers, or roughly one
thousand three hundred educators, departing the profession annually; and

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WHEREAS, during
the 2024�2025 school year, nearly fifty percent of newly hired teachers entered
the classroom without full licensure, underscoring ongoing workforce shortages
and the urgent need to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts; and

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WHEREAS, Hawaii's
high cost of living continues to be a major factor contributing to teacher
attrition, as entry-level teacher salaries begin slightly above $50,000
annually for those with a bachelor's degree and may not include step increases
until tenure is achieved after approximately five years of service, while
emergency hires may earn salaries closer to $38,500 annually; and

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WHEREAS, these
salary levels often leave educators rent-burdened and struggling to secure
stable housing, particularly in communities where housing costs significantly
outpace wages; and

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WHEREAS, rural
and neighbor island communities face additional barriers to teacher retention,
including geographic isolation, limited housing availability, and increased
workloads due to staffing shortages, making it especially challenging to
recruit and retain experienced educators in these regions; and

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WHEREAS, this
body recognizes teacher retention as a critical issue impacting the strength
and stability of Hawaii's public education system; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education is
urged to begin initiatives to address teacher retention in the State; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is urged to conduct research, data
collection, and analysis to better understand the factors contributing to
teacher attrition in Hawaii, including educator experiences, compensation,
housing challenges, and regional workforce needs, and inform policy solutions
that strengthen teacher retention; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is urged to encourage schools,
community organizations, and local partners to uplift and support educators
through expanded recognition and appreciation efforts throughout the year,
building upon existing initiatives such as Teacher Appreciation Week; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is urged to establish an advisory
board to provide recommendations on strategies to improve teacher retention
across the State, with membership that includes:

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(1)
�
Public school educators representing
elementary, middle, intermediate, and high school levels;

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(2)
�
Students from the City and County of Honolulu
and the Counties of Hawai
ʻ
i,
Maui, and Kauai; and

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(3)
�
Community members with experience in
education, ensuring diverse regional and educational perspectives; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Superintendent of
Education.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Department
of Education; Teacher Retention