Title: Unveiling the Challenges of the Hawaiian School System: Personal Stories and Insights
In my experience attending school in Hawaii, I’ve encountered numerous issues and unsettling stories that often go unreported or are deliberately obscured by the administration. Sadly, the pattern seems to be that when problems arise, the school tends to cover them up rather than address the root causes. Furthermore, speaking openly about these concerns—even with peers—sometimes results in repercussions, such as being summoned to the principal’s office.
One of the most disturbing incidents involved my English teacher, a special education instructor, who was arrested on charges of sexual assault involving a student, an assault that allegedly took place over several months. Looking back, there were warning signs—yet they were ignored, largely because he was seen as a “cool,” popular teacher. Official policies stated that any conversation about such incidents in front of staff or peers should lead to disciplinary action, like a visit to the principal’s office. However, many teachers dismissed this rule, considering it ridiculous.
In hindsight, the evidence was there. For example, he was the adviser for the sophomore student council and would have students over to his apartment located next to the school—an arrangement school officials knew about, even having received permission slips for these visits. His classroom had a distinctive chair adjacent to his desk, which he would let certain students sit in for entire lessons, and he often allowed students to skip classes at will. On one occasion during a school lockdown drill, he forgot to lock his classroom doors, exemplifying a casual attitude that likely compromised students’ safety. Class sessions were mostly unproductive; we’d spend time on our phones or watch Disney movies, and I personally remember longing for the comfort of the chair I would lean back in and nap on, wrapped in a soft blanket after he left.
The substitute teacher who replaced him was an improvement—more attentive to lessons and teaching properly—but he promptly removed that beloved chair, signaling a shift back to the status quo.
There’s also a tragic incident from my sophomore year that remains troubling. Rumors suggest a fellow student jumped out of a window—possibly due to drug use or suicidal thoughts—although details are scarce. The school only mentioned it publicly once, leaving many unanswered questions and a sense of unease, especially considering the boy’s death was barely acknowledged afterward.
Prior to that, another heartbreaking event occurred when a girl was fatally struck by a vehicle right outside the school. Her passing sparked a week