Page 2 - MidWeek Kauai - Oct 12, 2022

4 COLUMN
2 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK OCTOBER 12, 2022
page report released a few weeks ago by the Na-
• “Community Resources” with the County of Kaua‘i Agency on Elderly Affairs
tional Association of State Boards of Education. Locally, aided by Department of Education information, the data on Hawai‘i’s public schools is enlightening. Absenteeism was up (not surprisingly) during the pan- demic, more teachers are eligible for and considering retirement, and more teachers and students are leaving Hawai‘i. There are many other interesting statistics in the report — some obviously COVID-related, some not.
Your local Kaua‘i attor- neys are here to help. The Kaua‘i Bar Association, es- tablished in 1986, consists of attorneys who can help you navigate the complicat- ed and confusing world of the legal process while also protecting your rights. We work with the courts and oth- er attorneys to give the peo- ple of Kaua‘i the best legal representation. Kaua‘i Bar Association members work in private practice, nonprofit, local and state government to help people from all walks of
Members of Kaua‘i Bar Association include (from left) Jenna Tatsy, Emiko Meyers, Kimberly Torigoe, Renee Arndt, Georgia Anton, Jasmine Wong and Aaron Larrilore, among others. PHOTO COURTESY KAUA‘I BAR ASSOCIATION
life and all levels of income. The Kaua‘i Bar Association supports and strives for pro- moting access to justice for all. This year, members volun- teered at Grove Farm Market during Law Week. Surprising- ly, the most common topic of inquiry from the community dealt with estate planning and elder law issues, so Kaua‘i
• “Health Care Deci- sion-making Under Hawai‘i Law” with University of Ha- wai‘i’s Elder Law Program
The real question now is what do we as a state do with the data? How can we make informed decisions and pro- vide opportunities going forward for kids and teachers? On a national level, “1 out of every 2 school leaders say their stress level is so high they are considering a career change or retirement,” according to the report. Forty-nine percent of principals say that a better work-life balance or a higher salary would alleviate their concerns. And what are the odds of those requests actually being met via financially stressed, short-staffed school systems?
Bar Association created an event that offers free legal in- formation on those issues.
• “Wills and Trusts” with Kaua‘i Estate Law LLLC
Locally, the recent trend of fewer kids attending public schools annually shows no signs of abating. The latest re- port revealed that attendance was down by 3,000 students this past year, with 80% of those leaving identifying these reasons: moving to another state, attending private school or being home-schooled. Fewer attendees invariably mean fewer resources available for public schools. And lower birth rates portend that the enrollment decline will contin- ue. Other public school systems are experiencing similar downward attendance trends. We cannot allow a diminish- ing quantity of students to affect the quality of education.
Our Board of Education will be engaging the public as it develops its new strategic plan. That’s good. If you’re interested, read the report, attend meetings, provide input. We always hear that the “keiki are our future.” Of course they are — that’s simple logic. But what we do to give those keiki a reasonable shot at success beyond high school (how- ever one defines “success”) is vital to this state’s future.
With 42,000 employees, our DOE is the state’s largest employer and Hawai‘i is home to the 10th largest school district in America, according to the NASBE/DOE report. Unwieldy and unyielding at times? Sure. But we must make strong efforts now to promote quality teaching and innovative strategies in the quest to keep educators, as well as students, engaged in the decades ahead.
Think about it.
Ready To Protect Residents’ Rights
By Kimberly Torigoe, president of Kaua‘i Bar Association
TNo Kidding
here is some fascinating information in the 104-
Divorce, speeding tickets, maybe even some trouble with thelaw—andontopofall of that, you now have to go to court. So, how do our rights translate into court proceed- ings?
• “Donors Beware: Things to Consider When Giving to Charities” with the state De- partment of the Attorney Gen- eral, Tax & Charities Division
We are inviting the commu- nity to the “Day of the Living Will” from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center. (Registration starts at 8 a.m.)
• A question-and-answer session with a panel of Kaua‘i Bar Association Attorneys.
Presentations will include:
Seating is limited to the first 100 people. Those interested in attending this event can register online at forms.gle/ Fq2DMNDkUceyGiVt7 or by calling 808-651-5627.
• “Fraud Prevention” with Kaua‘i Police Department
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest). Answers are on page 11
RATING: BRONZE
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