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By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Cecily Chun, left, and Kim Tochiki, both teachers from
Ben Parker Elementary School want a raise.

Teachers rally in
show of solidarity

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By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Ceanne Englar hopes the governor realizes that teachers mean business.

The teacher of Hawaiian language and health at Waianae High School said about the 6,000-teachers' rally yesterday: "It makes me so proud to be a teacher and see that all the teachers are uniting."

Lia Thomas, who teaches fifth grade at Waipahu Elementary, said, "I think this is almost ridiculous." Teachers who try so hard to work with students shouldn't have to battle to get decent pay, she said.

Scores of supportive students and other union members joined the teachers weathering chilly winds, cloudy skies and light rain for a rally yesterday at the state Capitol as the impasse between the state and the teachers union goes on.

Both HSTA and state negotiators turned thumbs down on a fact-finding report suggesting a 19 percent pay raise for teachers. That opened a 60-day cooling off period in which the two sides agreed to go on talking.

HSTA wants a 22 percent pay raise over four years. The state has offered 9 percent, but Gov. Ben Cayetano has indicated the state may come up with an 11 percent offer.

By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Hawaii public school teachers carried signs and marched around
the Capitol yesterday in a show of solidarity for
their contract request.

HSTA may take a strike vote, but cannot go out until the end of the 60 days. Also, HSTA must give 10 days' notice, so it is unlikely there would be a strike until after spring break in late March.

Yesterday, teachers lined both sides of Beretania Street and cheered and waved as motorists honked in support.

Signs held said: "Teachers care," "Experienced teachers are valuable," "HGEA supports teachers," "No teachers -- no education," "Fair contract now," "Honk 4 a fair settlement," "Anyone but Cayetano," "Pay raises now -- where's the cash cow," "Just do it," "Help educate Ben -- support teachers" and "When Ben?"

Some teachers marched and chanted along Beretania Street in early going. Hip-hop and other music blared over loudspeakers in the Capitol courtyard.

Royce Arakaki, a Roosevelt High School freshman, wants teachers paid better. "They've been treated unfairly for the past couple years, he said. "They work hard, and they deserve a raise."

Derek Minakami, Hawaii's Teacher of the Year and a science teacher at Kailua High School, called for pay raises and received a thunderous response.

Joan Husted, HSTA executive director and chief negotiator, said, "We are producing graduates who are learning in conditions no students should ever learn in and no teacher should ever have to teach in."