Hawaii

Fewer than half of Hawaii’s keiki proficient in reading and math – West Hawaii Today

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2024

A new study reports that fewer than half of Hawaii’s students are proficient in reading and math and that Hawaii is ranked among the bottom third of states nationally for economic well-being, indicating a need for more state action supporting keiki and families.

The Kids Count Data Book, a report developed by the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, has shed light on children’s well-being across the nation since it was first published in 1990. While students’ lack of basic reading and math skills has been an ongoing problem for decades, the study read, the focus on learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted attention back to the issue, especially as chronic absence grew and economic instability rose.

“This year’s data suggests a concerning trend for Hawaii’s youth and that is they will continue to be the population who suffers when our state’s policies do not support the economic well-being of working families,” Hawaii Children’s Action Network Executive Director Deborah Zysman said in a news release.

According to the report, 35% of Hawaii fourth graders were at or above reading proficiency in 2022, a small change from 34% in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, 22% of eighth graders were at or above proficient in math, a significant drop from 28% in 2019.

Nationally, Hawaii ranked eighth in reading proficiency, compared with 28th in 2019, and 38th in math proficiency, compared with 42nd in 2019 — both improvements in ranking due to average proficiency rankings worsening nationally.

The link between student readiness and lifetime economic stability is also apparent, with many of the fastest-growing occupations requiring high-level reading and math skills “that we are not ensuring our children possess,” the study read.

“Just as underprepared workers are less competitive within our economy, an underprepared workforce makes America less competitive in the global economy,” the study read. “Persistent disparities further damage both individual prospects and the economy as a whole — at an enormous scale.”

The report also found that 39% of Hawaii’s students were “chronically absent” — meaning they missed 10% or more days of school in the academic year — in 2022, a jump from 18.5% in 2019. This statistic ranks Hawaii among the worst 10 states in the country for rates of chronically absent students. Additionally, 59% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students were reported to be chronically absent in 2022, aligning with data indicating students of color experienced higher rates of chronic absence.

While chronic absence has roots that have existed before the pandemic, such as housing insecurity, poverty and student disengagement, the study cites early research indicating that the pandemic “both exacerbated existing attendance challenges and introduced new ones,” like rising anxiety and mental health issues.

The Kids Count Data Book study has traditionally presented data across 16 indicators over four “domains” — economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors — and ranks states accordingly, reflecting the interconnectedness between student performance and external conditions.

“When kids grow up in harsh economic conditions, education is really supposed to be the great equalizer to get them out of that when they’re adults,” Ivette Rodriguez Stern, junior specialist at the UH Center on the Family, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “When you look at our proficiency rates and the new data offered on chronic absenteeism, and then you look at the disproportionality with some groups, that’s a great concern, because if you’re growing up in those economic conditions and you’re not getting the educational opportunities to lift you out of that, then what does our future look like?”

Overall, Hawaii ranked 25th in the nation for overall child well-being — maintaining its rank from 2023 — and placed 20th in education, 15th in health and 18th in family and community factors. Each of these rankings fell as compared with 2023, from 19th in education, 13th in health and eighth in family and community factors.

However, the state improved its economic well-being ranking, going from 44th place in 2023 to 38th this year, although the ranking still categorized Hawaii among the “worse” category of states.

The ranking in the bottom third of states in this domain was heavily affected by Hawaii’s ranking of 47th in the housing cost burden indicator. According to the report, in 2022 almost 38% of Hawaii’s keiki lived in households that spent over 30% of their income on housing. In that same time, 28% of children in the state lived in families where no parent had full-time, year-round employment.

“It is concerning that too many children are living in families where parents lack secure employment. In addition, we continue to have among the worst housing cost burdens in the nation,” Stern said in the news release.

Additionally, Stern said this data indicates the profound effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic stability for families, as the data was collected post-pandemic.

With this new data, the report proposed various solutions and priorities for states — including ensuring access to “essential resources” like low- or no-cost meals and reliable internet access in schools, the availability of mental health care, and working toward improving chronic absence rates.

“It’s a concern to see some of the education data,” Stern said. “There have been improvements, but we’re still not in a good place, and that’s both as a state and as a country.”

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Hawaii

Hawaii offers support after Gabbard resigns to focus on husband’s health – The Garden Island

Published

1 hour ago

May 26, 2026

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Hawaii offers support after Gabbard resigns to focus on husband’s health – The Garden Island

Prayers poured in for the family of Tulsi Gabbard on Friday after the former Hawaii political office holder announced her resignation as director of national intelligence in Washington, D.C., to support her husband battling bone cancer.

Gabbard’s father, state Sen. Mike Gabbard, said in a statement with wife Carol that their daughter and son-in-law Abraham Williams, along with the whole family, have been receiving overwhelming messages of support and love, and that people are praying for Williams as he fights a rare form of cancer.

“Tulsi and Abraham are loved by so many across our country, and it’s very heartwarming for us as parents,” the Gabbards said. “They’re so grateful for all the aloha and prayers of support they’re receiving, and send their aloha and thanks to everyone back home in Hawaii.”

Gov. Josh Green, an emergency room physician, conveyed well-wishes for Gabbard and her husband.

“The Governor respects her decision to step down to care for her husband and wishes them the strength and comfort they both will need,” Makana McClellan, the governor’s director of communications, said in a statement.

Gabbard, a former Honolulu City Council member who later also represented parts of Hawaii as a Democrat in the state Legislature and in Congress before heaping criticism on and leaving the party in 2022 after a failed 2020 presidential bid, was picked by Republican President Donald Trump in November 2024 to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence after she helped him achieve victory in his bid to return to the White House.

Among social media messages Gabbard reposted on her X account from others Friday were expressions of love and support for Gabbard and her husband from people including Vice President JD Vance.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) said in a statement, “Public service is a calling, but family always comes first. I respect the difficult decision Tulsi had to make, and send my prayers and aloha to Abraham and his ohana as they focus on his recovery.”

Bob McDermott, vice chair of the Hawaii Republican Party, acknowledged that Gabbard may not be too popular from a political standpoint in Hawaii where government is dominated by Democrats, but said she still has strong local roots and is a person not only defined by politics.

“We often forget that these people (in political office) are real people,” he said. “I mean Tulsi is na keiki o ka aina. She grew up here. She went to school here. She served our National Guard. Now, she’s not real popular back here, I guess, but she’s still a real person. … I will pray for her.”

McDermott, a former state lawmaker, said Gabbard in his view did a good job in the Cabinet-level position delivering intelligence assessments to the president as the leader of a coalition of 18 federal organizations that include the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Other observers have a different take, but acknowledge that Trump makes it hard for appointees to find lasting success in their jobs.

University of Hawaii political scientist Colin Moore considers Gabbard’s record to be mixed at best, and probably not particularly successful by normal standards of the DNI role.

“Since most of the DNI’s work is classified, it’s hard to judge her success, but her tenure seemed rather turbulent to me,” Moore said in an email. “Given the chaotic nature of Trump’s foreign policy decision-making, it probably would have been impossible for anyone to succeed in this position. But her lack of experience and the general hostility of the intelligence community to her appointment and views, made it even more difficult.”

Moore said Gabbard’s non-interventionist views, which include opposing regime-change wars, helped Gabbard stand apart from the foreign policy establishment but as ODNI director seemed to create trust problems with the intelligence community and more hawkish members of the Trump administration.

Gabbard’s position was established to be an honest broker of intelligence and not primarily an ideological voice in foreign policy debates, according to Moore.

“That was always going to be a difficult transition for her and I don’t think she succeeded,” he said. “Again, much of this was due to Trump’s own mercurial temperament. If he had truly embraced a non-interventionist foreign policy, Gabbard may have had a more successful tenure.”

Gabbard, in a letter to Trump announcing her decision to resign effective June 30 to help support her husband after he was recently diagnosed with what she said is an extremely rare form of bone cancer, expressed deep gratitude the trust the president put in her to lead ODNI.

“Abraham has been my rock throughout our eleven years of marriage — standing steadfast through my deployment to East Africa on a Joint Special Operations mission, multiple political campaigns, and now my service in this role,” Gabbard wrote. “His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge. I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position.”

Gabbard signed off the letter with “love and aloha.”

Born in American Samoa, Gabbard moved to Hawaii with her family in 1983 at age 2. She was first elected to office in 2002 when she successfully ran to represent parts of Leeward Oahu including Waipahu, Honouliuli and Ewa in the state House of Representatives.

Gabbard, a 21-year-old martial arts instructor at the time, became the youngest person elected to Hawaii’s Legislature.

Prior to becoming a state lawmaker, Gabbard had supported a campaign against same-sex marriage in the 1990s by the advocacy group Alliance for Traditional Marriage, which was founded by her father, a former Republican lawmaker who became a Democrat in 2007. Currently, he represents the Kapolei-Makakilo-Kalaeloa district.

In 2004, Gabbard was prohibited from continuing to serve as a lawmaker because of Hawai’i National Guard rules that said an active-duty member can’t hold office. Gabbard had enlisted in the Guard in 2003 and a year later volunteered for active-duty deployment in a unit providing medical support for the 29th Separate Infantry Brigade.

Gabbard deployed to Iraq in 2004 and to Kuwait in 2008.

After serving as a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Gabbard was elected in 2011 to the Honolulu City Council representing downtown Honolulu, Alewa Heights, Kalihi Valley, and portions of Makiki and Kalihi. She resigned in 2012 to run for a U.S. House seat, which she won. She served four terms in Congress representing rural Oahu and the neighbor islands from 2013 to 2021.

During her campaign for Congress, Gabbard met Williams, a cinematographer. In 2015, the then-33-year-old Gabbard married the then-26-year-old Williams next to a historic fishpond in Kahaluu.

In 2020, after opting not to run for a fifth term in Congress, Gabbard contended for the Democratic Party’s nomination to be president.

During her presidential bid that failed to get much traction, Gabbard apologized for her past work with the Alliance for Traditional Marriage.

Moore said that Gabbard’s stepping away from political office due to family health conditions doesn’t mean she can’t return to the national political stage.

“She has a clear identity in conservative politics, a national following, and military credentials,” he said. “She is far better positioned in national conservative politics than in Hawaii — and she almost certainly could return to her previous role as a political commentator if she wants to.”

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Hawaii

Hawaii’s Carissa Moore celebrates comeback victory in Raglan | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Published

14 hours ago

May 25, 2026

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Hawaii’s Carissa Moore celebrates comeback victory in Raglan | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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OSCAR HETHERINGTON/WORLD SURF LEAGUE

Five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore of Hawaii surfs in the Final at the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro on May 25, at Raglan, New Zealand.

Hawaiian Carissa Moore and Brazil’s Italo Ferreira claimed wins in top-quality surf at the New Zealand Pro in Raglan on Monday, after a delay caused when an in-water photographer was injured by what was thought to be a shark or a sea lion.

Hosting a full world championship tour competition for the first time, Raglan’s famously long left-handers turned up in perfect form on Monday, with glassy, overhead green walls wrapping around the boulder-strewn point.

Olympic and five-times world champion Moore scored the highest two-wave total of the year, 19 out of 20, in her semi-final on Sunday.

She started strongly in Monday’s final against 20-year-old Californian Sawyer Lindblad, kicking off with an 8.50 out of 10 for a series of powerful carves on her backhand.

Lindblad kept in touch with a 7.67 for some speedy turns on her forehand on the wave behind and then took the lead with an even better 9-point ride on a clean, steep wall.

But Moore, making a comeback after taking time off to have her first child, fought back on a bigger wave and powered her way to 9.4 and a two-wave total of 17.9.

“When I walked away two years ago, I didn’t know if I’d ever get this feeling back or this opportunity to surf perfect waves with only one other person out, in front of a beautiful crowd and at a beautiful place, with my family on the beach,” said the 33-year-old.

“And in that process, you doubt yourself so much, so the win, it means so much to me.”

Ferreira’s final against Morgan Cibilic was an exercise in contrasts, with the goofyfoot Brazilian repeatedly taking to the air on the long left-handers, while the Australian employed sharp turns on his backhand.

Cibilic took the early lead, following up an early 7-point ride with an excellent 8.8 for a 15.8 point two-wave total.

Ferreira’s progressive approach and unmatched aerial assault, however, was favored by the judges as he racked up an 8.17 and a 9.33 for a 17.50 total as he spun and carved his way down the point.

“I knew this event would be sick because on the left-handers, we can do some different types of maneuvers,” said the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, who moved to the top of the world rankings.

Earlier, during Ferreira’s semi-final against compatriot Yago Dora, a photographer suffered what organizers called a “wildlife injury,” forcing the event to be put on hold for a couple of hours.

The photographer was treated for puncture injuries but was in a stable condition and in good spirits, the World Surf League said.

WSL tours and competition vice president Renato Hickel told the event broadcast they were unsure what kind of animal had caused the injury.

“At this stage we’re not certain if it was a shark or a sea lion. The doctor that was here helping on the scene was inclined to think it was a sea lion instead of a shark,” he said.

“Nevertheless, very scary.”

Wildlife attacks during surf events are rare but not unprecedented. World champion Mick Fanning famously tussled with a shark during the final of a WSL event at South Africa’s Jeffreys Bay in 2015.

The 12-stop tour next heads to the steamy right-hand point break of Punta Roca for the Surf City El Salvador Pro.

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Hawaii

8 Reasons We Love Summer in Hawaiʻi

Published

1 day ago

May 25, 2026

Press Room

From identifying changing constellations in the night sky to noticing when ʻamaʻama (mullet) spawn, ancient Hawaiians were incredibly observant of their natural surroundings and the shifts in seasons.

They used a sophisticated lunar calendar consisting of 12 months, which were marked by the appearance of different stars and constellations. These months were divided into two seasons. The cooler, wetter season is Hoʻilo, which runs from about October to April. Kau Wela is the warm, drier season, which runs from about May through September.

With warm and pleasant weather throughout the 12 the year, it sometimes feels like we live in a perpetual summer in Hawaiʻi. Fall and spring are simply terms used to describe school semesters. However, locals know there are subtle differences between the seasons.

These are just a few of the reasons we look forward to the summer months in Hawaiʻi every year.

1. Seasonal Specialties

A bucket of lychee plucked in Makawao, Maui.
Photo: Grace Maeda

It’s not just mangoes that grow in abundance during the summer. Lychee, lilikoʻi, soursop and calamansi are just a few other favorites that locals often share with their neighbors. Across the Islands, farmers markets overflow with vibrant fruit stands, from the KCC Farmers Market on Oʻahu and Upcountry Farmers Market on Maui to the Grove Farm Market on Kauaʻi and Hilo Farmers Market on Hawaiʻi Island.

READ MORE: 9 Ways to Sink Your Teeth into Mango Season in Hawaiʻi

2. Shave Ice Season

Shave ice is the ultimate treat after a day at the beach.
*Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino*

Sure, you can enjoy shave ice at any point in the year. But for many locals, it’s the sweet nostalgia of indulging in the refreshing treat after a day at the beach that takes you back to your “little kid” days during the summer.

READ MORE: Why Waiola Shave Ice is an Endearing Favorite

3. Pua Bloom

From pua kenikeni to plumeria, the Islands’ fragrant pua (flowers) often bloom in the summer months. It’s a great time of year to visit a botanical garden to see what plants are in season.

READ MORE: Escape to This Outdoor Oasis in Honolulu

4.Beach Days on the North Shore

Waimea Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore on a summer day.
*Photo: Grace Maeda*

Some of the best beaches across the Islands stretch along their northern coastlines. From ʻEhukai Beach Park on Oʻahu and Hoʻokipa Beach Park on Maui to Kēʻē Beach on Kauaʻi, it’s easy to be captivated by these sandy shores. During the winter months, these beaches are known for their large waves and dangerous rip currents. Fortunately, the conditions are typically much calmer in the summer, making for long and beautiful beach days.

5. South Shore Swells

The south shores see more exciting swells in the summer.
*Photo: David Croxford*

While the North Shore is graced by calmer waters in the summer, the south shores see exciting swells generated by winter storms in the Southern Hemisphere. These swells typically peak between May and September, bringing fun waves that are often ideal for beginners and longboarders.

6. King Kamehameha Day

The King Kamehameha Statue in Downtown Honolulu adorned in lei.
*Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino*

June 11 is an official state holiday celebrating Kamehameha the Great, one of the most important and legendary rulers in Hawaiian history. The monarch united all the major Hawaiian Islands, establishing the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. On Oʻahu, state leaders and community members gather in Downtown Honolulu to adorn the King Kamehameha Statue with beautiful lei. On Hawaiʻi Island there are two statues of the king, one in Hilo and one in front of the North Kahala Civic Center. Both statues are ceremoniously draped in lei to celebrate Hawaiʻi’s great king.

READ MORE: 3 Legends About Hawaiʻi’s King Kamehameha

7. Summer Festivals in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi hosts an exciting mix of annual events throughout the summer. Be sure to bookmark the Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival on Hawaiʻi Island in early June, the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival on Maui at the end of June, and Duke’s OceanFest on Oʻahu in August.

8.Bon Dances

Obon festival in Hawaiʻi.
*Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Kazuya Kajita*

When waves of immigrants arrived to work on sugar plantations in Hawaiʻi, they also brought many customs and traditions. Japanese plantation workers planted the seeds for Obon season. These festivals include Bon dances; a style of folk dance performed to honor ancestral spirits. Dancers circle around a yagura (tower). Across the Islands, Buddhist missions welcome everyone to participate.

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