Nonpartisan Races (Only Contested Races Profiled)
Lei Ahu Isa
Age: 64
Job: Hawaii Pacific University management professor
Past: State representative, 1996-2002
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
It took four years for me to get a grip on this huge bureaucratic organization. What is more frustrating than trying to convince people that the system needs help or trying to live with the fact that most people just don’t care? With my educational background and experience which you can read at the top), I need to be here.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
This is not an easy “yes” or “no” question, and there is no easy answer. Granted, it would make sense to close small schools, but there are little schools such as Maunaloa on Molokai. When I visited this elementary school, all the kupunas came out to testify against closing it. It is part of their community and is what holds that community together. This ‘anomaly’ school is one of several that we need to take into consideration.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
There is an HSTA lawsuit filed against the State/DOE and a counter lawsuit filed against HSTA by the State/DOE. Until that lawsuit is ruled upon, this question is mute. All I can say is that an unconstitutional issue should not have been included as a collective bargaining issue. Will the ruling jeopardize the 11 percent pay raise or will it force both sides back to the bargaining table to renegotiate? In difficult economic times, one should be careful in renegotiating raises.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
This would definitely help our children and our teachers. Yes, I support. ALL of our children every island deserve this.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
Programs are already being implemented. We must also not forget the “effective” as well as highly qualified teacher. The successful Windward mentoring program, support from our principals through their leadership abilities, and perhaps more support from the department through incentives might ensure this. The percentage of highly qualified teachers has risen during my tenure on the board.
There is significant progress.
K. Darrow Aiona
Age: 73
Job: Retired professor, Leeward College
Past: Retired parish priest, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
As a 22-year former BOE member, I see that many of the problems and concerns that existed then haven’t changed. I am knowledgeable of our public school system after teaching many graduates over 29 years.
There have been some improvements in our schools: i.e., improved pupil-teacher ratio in elementary grades; development of the Hawaiian immersion schools, and charter schools. Now however we are in danger of over-testing our students.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
Closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment should be considered only on a case-by-case basis. The educational needs and benefits for the students involved should be the primary consideration, rather than an arbitrary population count. Transportation distances to nearby schools must also be considered. Often the community is built around a school, particularly in our rural areas.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
All existing DOE funds should be used for student directed educational programs. Any funds for drug testing should be paid for by the governor, perhaps with federal drug program money. The educational budget is being cut and I feel any use of much needed funds for “search” and punitive measures is wrong.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
Knowing the importance of early childhood education, but with the inadequacy of public school funding, I cannot at the present time encourage the creation of a statewide preschool system. A pilot program, focusing on low-income areas for working parents which could supplement Head Start, would be a reasonable beginning. It is important that Kindergarten be required of all students and available from age 4-1/2.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
All teachers should be licensed and certified in the areas of their training, subject matter and expertise. For teachers placed in areas outside their certification, improved training should be available and accessible. All teachers should be upgraded on the pay scale as they add to their certifications without long bureaucratic struggles.
Janis Akuna
Age: 58
Job: Financial adviser
Past: Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund; Lanakila Rehab Center; YWCA of Oahu
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I have had a successful career in business, and I believe I can add a new perspective to the Board of Education. One of my core beliefs is that education is the foundation for success. As a business person, I believe having an educated work force gives Hawaii a competitive advantage, especially in a tight economy. I’m firmly committed to giving our children the best possible public education we can.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
Whether or not a school should be closed depends on several factors, including actual classroom size, the availability of qualified staff and adequate facilities, the distance and time needed to get to a larger school and parent/community involvement. Each school situation should be judged independently.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
The bigger question here is should there be mandatory drug testing. This is a legal question and probably involves constitutional rights. Where there is a suspicion or probable cause, then yes, a drug test is warranted, especially if there is concern for children safety, but I do not believe random drug tests are warranted among the larger teacher population when grounds for suspicion are absent. As a public service, either the administration or legislature should appropriate the funds for testing, not the Department of Education.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
I do support a statewide preschool system as I believe early education is critical to future educational endeavors and general abilities.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
Similar to hiring any qualified employee with specific skills, a competitive setting is needed. Improving the classroom environment, having a competitive pay scale, engaging our universities and colleges and getting community and parent support are several supportive actions.
Marcia Linville
Age: 72
Job: Retired
Past: Masters of Library Science degree, Libraries & Information Service
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
A 23 year employee Department of Education, Unit 13, HGEA chief steward, Democratic Party Legislative Liaison for Education four years, Board of Hawaii Literacy 10 years, Friends of Library 20 years
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
Oppose. Smaller schools and smaller classes now a documented record of providing a better result.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
No. DOE did not request it. The governor did. The governor should fund her demand for drug testing.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
Support. Current research shows the preschool years to be crucial in creating the foundations for future learning.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
Provide adequate funding and realistic recruitment and retention policies.
Pauline Namuo
Age: 57
Job: Educator
Past: Substitute teacher, former government executive, judicial and executive branches
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I have a degree in teaching and have worked for the past five years as a substitute teacher in the public school system. As a former government executive in the Judiciary and executive branches of government, I also have decision-making experience on the policy level that will be valuable in my role as a member of the Board of Education.
We all bring a particular perspective to our jobs and I believe my background and experience will assist in developing a public school system second to none.
This report resulted in the need for a $278 million increase in funding for public education in Hawaii.
We need to advocate for this report and work on statutory changes that allow the Department of Education to keep its allocation of funds each year, without needing to return funds to the general fund.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
I support the closing or consolidating of schools where the enrollment is so low that the costs to the public school system would be better utilized elsewhere to assist other schools.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
Yes, I believe existing Department of Education funds should be used to pay for drug testing of teachers. The process was completed through collective bargaining and now all sides need to follow the law. If, though, there is a court decision otherwise, then that would be the decision to follow.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
I strongly support the creation of a statewide preschool system. Research has clearly shown that early childhood education makes a difference for children to succeed in school to become responsible, contributing members of society.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
The Department of Education needs to consider hiring college graduates from any field to teach in our public school system, get paid during the period of time it takes to acquire enough courses to become an authorized teacher and commit to staying in the system for a period of time. In order to get qualified teachers you need to invest in people.What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I have a degree in teaching and have worked for the past five years as a substitute teacher in the public school system. As a former government executive in the Judiciary and executive branches of government, I also have decision-making experience on the policy level that will be valuable in my role as a member of the Board of Education.
We all bring a particular perspective to our jobs and I believe my background and experience will assist in developing a public school system second to none.
This report resulted in the need for a $278 million increase in funding for public education in Hawaii.
We need to advocate for this report and work on statutory changes that allow the Department of Education to keep its allocation of funds each year, without needing to return funds to the general fund.
Robert Peters
Age: 71
Job: Substitute teacher
Past: Full-time, substitute teacher
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I am qualified to be a candidate for the Board of Education because I have taught in the private school sector for over 40 years, e.g. Kamehameha Schools, Punahou School, Central Union Pre School, Assets School and others. I have also taught full time in the public school sector for six years, e.g. Nanakuli High School, Nanaikapono Elementary, Hakipu‘u Charter School and Waialae Elementary School. I have been, and I am currently a substitute teacher with the DOE, grades K-12, Leeward and Honolulu districts.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
I oppose the closing (only) of schools with low enrollment. I agree with educational officials who are trying to solve the issue of underused school facilities by creating schools with special academic focuses, referred to as “signature schools.” These schools would host special academic programs for students from other districts being able to attend the “signature schools” regardless of where they live. Along with this, I would recommend that these same decision makers further consider transforming some of these underutilized schools into alternative teaching institutions for special education and English language learning boys and girls.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
I do not do drugs! I do not support the use of existing DOE funds to pay for drug testing of teachers. I would require each teacher to be tested for drugs every year in their annual physical examination.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
During the child’s preschool years, it is the parents’ responsibility to educate and train their children to offer inspiration, guidance, independence and modeling in order to enhance their child’s learning abilities through motivation and support. The parent should help their child find their inner strength and passions in order to nurture self-worth. I do not support the creation of a statewide preschool system for children. Instead, I would support funding a statewide program to train parents of preschool children in Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Center for Research, Education and Diversity.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
I am an advocate for what I feel is the most formidable task confronting Hawaii’s public school teachers: having to teach the large number of English Language Learning boys and girls who do not have the skills to learn when being instructed and tested in the English language. In order to have highly qualified elementary teachers, it is critical that the BOE, the DOE and principals conduct an immediate and formative evaluation of the entire elementary academic curriculum as it is affected by the NCLB law. They should assist elementary classroom teachers in whatever ways possible, e.g., in the realignment of their teaching methods.
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I am qualified to be a candidate for the Board of Education because I have taught in the private school sector for over 40 years, e.g. Kamehameha Schools, Punahou School, Central Union Pre School, Assets School and others. I have also taught full time in the public school sector for six years, e.g. Nanakuli High School, Nanaikapono Elementary, Hakipu‘u Charter School and Waialae Elementary School. I have been, and I am currently a substitute teacher with the DOE, grades K-12, Leeward and Honolulu districts.
Garrett Toguchi
Age: 47
Job: USIS, associate investigator
Past: Government, private business, civic and community volunteer
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Elected in 1996, 2002 and 2004, chaired the Special Programs Committee and supported improvements in Special Education, the Gifted and Talented Program, Hawaiian Studies, and the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program. Chaired the BOE Budget and Fiscal Accountability Committee and authored two major new policies: 1) mandating all DOE programs to be fully evaluated every five years for effectiveness and fiscal soundness, and 2) requiring the DOE to provide public presentations on department spending and to solicit public input for future budgeting. Other experience: former executive director of large nonprofit; researcher to a lieutenant governor; chief of staff in the state Senate.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
Each case has to be dealt with individually. Different communities have different needs which small schools may be better suited to support. School consolidation and closings will have little financial impact unless there are numerous closings all within a small time frame. The legislature should instead allow the BOE to own all the schools and lands to be put to its highest alternative use for income generation. That would allow additional funds to support a small campus without costs to the state. This is done in mainland jurisdictions.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
No. I am opposed to unconstitutional drug testing and our funds should not be used to violate someone’s rights. Random drug testing of all teachers without regard to their position is unconstitutional. I am favor existing collective bargaining agreements that allow for suspicion based drug testing. And, in favor of designating certain positions, such as those that have a direct impact on the safety of young children, for random testing.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
The DOE has taken steps to continuously review, monitor and provide avenues for teachers to gain highly qualified status. For those who are not HQ they work on developing individualized plans to meet the HQ requirements. For example, by passing the Praxis test. The DOE offers incentives such as reimbursing the cost of the Praxis for those who pass and gain HQ status. The DOE also focuses recruiting teachers that already meet HQ status. Lastly, the DOE recently purchased a data system that monitors the HQ status of all teachers on a monthly basis.
Terrance Tom
Age: 60
Job: Attorney
Past: State representative, 1982-1998
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
My legal education, background and experience will enable me to analyze and understand issues, and to ensure that positions taken by the board meet constitutional and legal challenges.
As a state legislator for 16 years, I was directly involved in drafting many of Hawaii’s education laws and initiatives.
Currently, as a guardian ad litem, I advocate for children who have been harmed or abused.
Being blind from birth, I will advocate for children with “special needs” to ensure that they have sufficient resources to succeed in school.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
There is no simple answer to this complex issue. Establishing “signature” or “specialty” schools to address targeted populations of students must be encouraged at schools subjected to closure or consolidation. There are schools with small student enrollments that are successful in achieving student learning, and accessible to its surrounding community.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
“ABSOLUTELY NOT”
The existing Department of Education funds should be earmarked directly for our schools where learning takes place, and for its supportive services.
We need to streamline our “reasonable suspicion” drug testing procedures by swiftly removing teachers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol from our classrooms, with harsh consequences for those who refuse to BE TESTED.
“Random” drug testing will not rid our classrooms of teachers under the influence, and will send the wrong message by randomly testing the overwhelming majority of our law-abiding and qualified teachers.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
I support the creation of a statewide preschool system which will give every child from age 3 years old the opportunity to attend preschool, so that every child will possess the learning, emotional and social skills when entering kindergarten. Absent a statewide preschool system, those children unable to afford preschool tuition may be at a disadvantage, academically and socially.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
For starters, pay our teachers more money. They certainly deserve it. We must also maintain existing health, retirement and other benefits for our teachers. Encourage low-cost and no cost professional development for our teachers. Reduce student-teacher class ratio (eighteen students to one teacher) so students can learn, and teachers can teach. Giving “lip service” that we appreciate the hard work of our teachers is not enough any more. Let’s put our “money” where our “mouth” is.
Randall Yee
Age: 49
Job: Attorney and CPA
Past: Served on Board of Education, 2002-06
What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
I served on the BOE from 2002-06, including one year as chairman and one year as first vice chairman so I am already familiar with our education system and what needs to be done to improve it. In addition, I have a business and legal background with 25 years of experience which gives me a private sector perspective on the board.
Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.
I support school closing or consolidation. However, I also believe that those facilities should remain part of the DOE and be used for charter, magnet and signature schools.
Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
Yes, if the governor is unwilling to provide the funds, I believe it is important to ensure that steps be done to protect our students from those few teachers who break the law.
Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
I support a state wide preschool system. Research is very clear that those students who have attended preschool have a head start over those who did not.
What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
Attracting enough qualified and quality teachers will only occur if we can improve starting salaries, work conditions, benefits, mentoring and support.
