With education secretary confirmation, Hawaii teachers fear possible cuts to programs

KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) – The U.S. Senate confirmed former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as secretary of education on Monday.

She will now lead a department that President Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle.

Meanwhile, educators in Hawaii say they are afraid of looming changes and possible funding cuts.

Justin Hughey started teaching at King Kamehameha III Elementary in Lahaina in 2006. After the school was destroyed in the 2023 fire, he relocated to Kahului Elementary and teaches special education there.

“Funding has gotten to the point where schools can’t function,” said Hughey. “Majority kids here come from low income, and this is their one opportunity to get a really solid education moving forward in life.”

The Hawaii State Teachers Association says the federal education department supports nearly 20,000 Hawaii students with special needs with almost $38 million in funding every year.

Two and a half weeks ago, HSTA leaders joined hundreds to protest against education cuts at the U.S. Capitol.

Hughey fears depending on the federal government is a losing battle and is calling on state leaders to step in and help.

“I’m afraid that my job could be cut. I’m afraid that EA (education assistant) jobs could be cut. I just think that we should be more proactive than reactive,” he said. “We know that these cuts are coming, so why aren’t we talking about it at this time?”

The Hawaii State Department of Education officials say roughly 11 percent of the department’s budget comes from federal funding.

“While we have not yet seen any direct reductions of major federal K-12 education funds to Hawaii, there are significant threats,” said HIDOE communications director Nanea Ching.

Ching says they are closely monitoring the federal orders and consulting with the governor and attorney general to assess legal implications.

“Are they going to continue to have special education? What are they going to do with the positions that are funded that are federally funded, which are EA positions, some teaching positions and special education positions?” Hughey said.

“People are panicking,” said HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. at a news conference in February. “Especially those who are the most vulnerable parents who have children, who need the special supports in order to take care of their children, to give their children what they need to function in society, and really that’s what they’re taking away. They’re taking away the opportunity to have them be prepared for what’s going to come tomorrow.”

Requests for comment from the state Board of Education and state House education chair Rep. Justin Woodson went unanswered Monday.

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