Title: An Insider’s Perspective on Challenges in the Hawaiian School System
Living and studying in Hawaii has exposed me to a range of experiences within the education system—some troubling, others eye-opening. Over the years, I’ve observed a pattern of incidents that often get overlooked or concealed by school authorities, leaving students to navigate complex and sometimes troubling environments. Today, I want to share some of these stories in hopes of shedding light on the realities faced by students here.
One of the most shocking incidents involved an English teacher who specialized in special education. This individual was recently arrested on charges related to sexual assault spanning several months. Looking back, I can now see signs that many ignored because of his popularity and perceived “coolness” among students. Interestingly, the school was aware of some of his activities; they actually had permission slips for students to visit his apartment—located right next to the school—yet nothing seemed to trigger a broader concern at the time.
In his classroom, he had a chair positioned next to his desk that many students, including myself, cherished. He allowed his favorite students to sit there for extended periods and even let students skip his classes at will. It was common to see him neglecting to lock his classroom door—such as during a school lockdown drill—and the class mainly consisted of us relaxing, watching movies, or browsing our phones. Despite his questionable practices, those moments are part of my school memories now, especially the comfort I found in that familiar chair, where I would often lean back and take brief naps under a cozy blanket after he left.
After he was replaced by a substitute teacher, I was grateful that a more responsible and engaging educator took over. However, they quickly removed the chair, ending what had become a small but meaningful comfort for many students.
Another grim chapter from my high school days involved a tragic incident early in my sophomore year. Rumors circulated that a student jumped from a window—some said due to drug influence, others that it was a suicide. The school revealed minimal information, only mentioning the incident once, and from then on, the student was all but forgotten in school discussions. It was a stark reminder of how some tragedies are often swept under the rug.
The year prior, another heartbreaking event unfolded when a girl was struck by a car just outside the school grounds. Her death was extensively covered by local news and prompted a week of mourning. Conversely, the boy involved in the earlier incident received only a faint announcement, and his story was