~ Senator Hirono hosted a roundtable with high school students, met with members of HSTA, and visited Waianae Elementary School ~
~ Photos of the Senator’s meeting with HSTA members can be found here ~
~ Photos of the Senator’s visit to Waianae Elementary School can be found here ~
HONOLULU, HI – As President Trump takes steps to abolish the Department of Education (ED) and attack public education, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) hosted multiple events in Hawaii focused on supporting students and educators. She held a roundtable with high school students and met with members of the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) to discuss their concerns in light of Trump’s actions. Senator Hirono also visited Waianae Elementary School, a community school that receives federal support through the Title I program, to speak with the principal, the staff, and community partners about the ways they utilize federal funding to support students and their families.
“Our keiki, students, and educators rely on the support provided by the Department of Education, particularly students with disabilities and those in low-income and rural communities,” said Senator Hirono. “This past week, I heard from many of the groups being directly impacted by Trump’s reckless attacks on public education. I also got to see firsthand how funding from the Department is being used to cultivate a safe, supportive environment for our children to learn and grow. From ensuring that students can access free school meals to preventing discrimination in classrooms, the support that our public schools receive from the Department of Education is crucial for the development and safety of our keiki. Trump’s attempts to dismantle ED hurt students, educators, and families, and I will continue working with partners in Hawaii and across the country to combat his chaos and recklessness.”
First, Senator Hirono hosted a roundtable discussion with six high school students to hear about how recent federal funding cuts may impact them, their families, and their communities. During the discussion, the students also shared how they are engaging their peers on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui.
The senator also met with over 40 HSTA members to hear their concerns about the Trump Administration’s attempt to abolish ED and cut funding for crucial education programs, while also attacking diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, the Hawaii Department of Education received approximately $322 million in federal funding, roughly 11 percent of its budget.
Senator Hirono speaking with HSTA members.
Senator Hirono then visited Waianae Elementary School, a community school that serves over 400 students. Community schools partner with local nonprofits (or “lead agencies”) to hire school coordinators who help identify community needs and potential solutions to address those needs. Ceeds of Peace, the lead agency at Waianae Elementary, has helped the school secure local partners to provide health care, nutrition, and other services to provide basic needs for students and their families.
During her visit, the senator heard from Principal Sheldon Konno and his staff about the school-based health clinic—a partnership between Waianae Elementary and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Clinic—that provides care for students. She also saw some of the resources provided to the students, including a clothes closet, food pantry, and washing facilities. If ED were to be eliminated, schools like Waianae Elementary would no longer have access to federal resources that support community schools.
Senator Hirono speaking with Ernie Belaski, Waianae Elementary’ s Community School Coordinator.
Abolishing ED requires an act of Congress, but Trump has already taken several steps toward dismantling and undermining the department’s functions by significantly cutting funding and downsizing personnel. Last month, Senator Hirono released a statement condemning Trump’s reckless firing of nearly 1,300 employees at ED, cutting its workforce in half. In March, ED also sent an email offering $25,000 to agency personnel to quit their jobs. In February, the Trump administration cut $600 million in grants for teacher training programs, putting a further strain on rural school systems with significant teacher shortages. The Administration also terminated nearly $900 million in contracts overseen by ED’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which gathers and disseminates data on teaching practices and the status of U.S. student achievement. IES’ research is utilized by educators, state and local departments of education, colleges, and more.
Senator Hirono is committed to improving opportunities for students and helping to ensure that our youth receive the quality education they deserve. Earlier this month, she met with leaders from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) in Washington, D.C. to discuss how the Trump Administration’s attacks on K-12 public education have impacted students, educators, and families who rely on federal programs, including Title I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and school meals. In February, Senator Hirono also spoke on the Senate floor to condemn President Trump’s and Republican’s efforts to eliminate the Department of Education and cut crucial federal funding for programs which millions of children and families across the country rely on. She has worked with her colleagues to demand that Acting ED Inspector General René Rocque conduct an investigation of the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle ED, as well as reintroduced the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, legislation to put Congress on a fiscally responsible path to fully fund Title I and IDEA.
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