HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	187
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHEREAS, the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee was established to identify, study, take action, or make recommendations on matters of education of common interest to the Department of Education and institutions of higher learning in Hawaii, including the development of teacher training programs and improving education in the State; and

WHEREAS, the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee continues to work on its strategic plan, which centers on three interconnected objectives:

(1) Building capacity within teacher preparation programs;

(2) Increasing satisfaction among in-service teachers; and

(3) Providing competitive compensation and incentives to attract and retain quality educators; and

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

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

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

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee is requested to submit an update on its strategic plan, including any initiatives or other efforts made that address teacher retention in the State, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, President of the University of Hawaii, and Dean of the College of Education of the University of Hawaii.

Report Title:

Department of Education; Teacher Retention