It takes a plan to retain teachers

The flight of teachers from schools facing some of the greatest challenges is nothing new — just talk to some of the veterans for their stories from the front lines.

Hawaii schools have been an environment of constant change lately — whether it’s the various innovations being tried at some struggling schools, or transitions between No Child Left Behind and Strive-HI testing schemes, or the move to a national Common Core curriculum. And one problem with constant change is teacher exhaustion.

So it’s encouraging at least to learn that the Department of Education is working to retain teachers through various strategies, including last year’s launch of a mentoring program for new teachers.

And because money talks, an offer of increased bonuses for those who work in "hard to staff" schools is also promising effort. A little reality check is a good thing when you’re trying to avoid a teacher-shortage crisis.

Wanted: Expert at solving problems

The state agency responsible for protecting Hawaii’s historic and cultural sites has been without a leader, who will be needed to play an important role in helping to vet proposed developments of the Honolulu rail transit system and numerous skyscrapers in Kakaako.

"You have to be multifaceted," said Esther Kia‘aina, first deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, under which the agency falls.

No doubt.

The State Historic Preservation Division is going nationwide, as well as locally, to search for applicants to fill the administrator job, which has been empty for more than a month.