HAWAII CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 4 PRIVATE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES - GENERAL ELECTION: 1. DAVID IGE believes the proposal is ill-conceived and could lead to wasteful spending. 2. MUFI HANNEMANN supports the concept but questions its feasibility, says he needs more clarity as to how a public-private system could be implemented. 3. DUKE AIONA is firmly in favor of the Constitutional Amendment 4 for private early childhood education. Duke Aiona’s position is grounded on legal precedent, providing access to educational programs on a fair and equal basis, and working knowledge of the State Budget and the budgetary process.

1. NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
“Starting today [September 22, 2014], the Hawaii State Teachers Association
(HSTA) is launching a statewide informational campaign to encourage voters to
vote “no” on the constitutional amendment regarding early childhood education.
If passed, the amendment would allow public, taxpayer money to be used to
fund private preschools.”
Source: Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations Agency for HSTA
“The HSTA and Hawaii’s public school teachers want to ensure that all of our
children are treated fairly and equitably. We support preschool and fully
appreciate the importance of early childhood education. However, this
constitutional amendment will only benefit a few at the sacrifice of the state’s
neediest families. That is why we are encouraging voters to vote ‘no’ on the
constitutional amendment regarding early childhood education.”
[Emphasis Supplied]
Source: Wil Okabe, President, HSTA
HSTA is the exclusive representative for all Hawaii Public School Teacher
regardless of membership. Whether a dues paying member or not, HSTA is the
exclusive representative for all Hawaii Public School Teachers in collective
bargaining matters.
Source: HSTA – Your Collective Bargaining Representative
Pointedly, the dogged determination, focused will, stubbornness, and
unrelenting self-mindedness of Mr. Okabe were the proximate reasons for the
prolonged Teachers Strike that impacted on the delivery of education to the
students of Hawaii. Students suffered, teachers were forced on the picket lines
and families were devastated.
The Settlement and Accord acceded to by the State of Hawaii was the realization
that Mr. Okabe would protract the Teacher’s Strike to reach his intended goal no
matter the collateral damages and to not accede would destroy the Public
Education System in the State of Hawaii.

2. Pre-School is much needed during a child’s formative years. I share with you the
mission of pre-school from Samuel Preschool in Olivette, Missouri where my
daughter and son attended.
“Through play children use creativity and imagination to
develop reading, thinking, and problem solving skills.
A growing place...
At Samuel Preschool children have the freedom to learn through
play. We provide activities to meet the needs of individual
children in different developmental stages. Children may explore
their own interests ranging from group play, to art, to make-believe,
or to quiet time with books. Caring teachers support their
play while focusing on helping children learn the important social
skills they will use throughout their lives: taking turns, sharing,
talking things over, expressing emotions, resolving conflicts, and
developing friendships.
Samuel Preschool has been in operation for over 45 years.”
HSTA: “The amendment would allow public funds to subsidize wealthy private
schools that charge as much as $15,000 in annual tuition.”
FACT: “The average cost of child care in Hawaii is $640 per month. This cost
can vary depending on the age of the child, location, and type of care desired.”
[Emphasis Supplied] SOURCE: PATCH
http://www.patchhawaii.org/families/paying
FACT: CHILD CARE and PRESCHOOL
“Preschool focuses on the basics of elementary education. It is the process of
equipping children with the various nuances of education that they are entitled
to receive in future. Preschool helps to inculcate values such as sportsmanship
and unity among others, in the early stages of a child’s life. This is facilitated by
the number of extracurricular activities that a child can undertake, during its
time at a preschool. A good preschool experience lays the foundation for a bright
future of a child.

3. Love and affection forms the crux of child care. The emphasis is on the physical
well being of the child. Activities like feeding a child, playing with it, putting it
to sleep form the core of child care. There are many forms of child care, such as:
nanny care, babysitting, child care or day care center etc. Child care or day care
lasts only till the parent or the guardian of a child comes back from work, after
which the child is handed back to the parent or the guardian.”
SOURCE: CARLSBAD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL.
http://www.carlsbadcountryday.com/
HSTA: “If passed, the amendment would allow public, taxpayer money to be
used to fund private preschools.” [Emphasis Supplied]
FACT: Revenue sources for the State of Hawaii
 General Excise and Use Tax
 Individual Income Tax
 Corporate Income Tax
 Public Service Company Tax
 Tax on Insurance Premiums
 Cigarette and Tobacco Tax
 Liquor Tax
 Tax on Banks and Other Financial Corporations
 Inheritance and Estate Tax
 Conveyance Tax

4.  Miscellaneous Taxes
 Transient Accommodations Tax
 Revenue sources other than taxes
a. Federal
b. Federal-Reinvestment & Recovery Act
c. State of Hawaii Charges for Current Services
d. Special Revenue Fund
e. Licenses and Permits
f. Use of money and property
g. Fines, Forfeits and Penalties
h. Other Agencies – Judiciary, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
SOURCE: STATE OF HAWAII COUNCIL ON REVENUES
http://tax.hawaii.gov/useful/a9_1cor/
HSTA: “The amendment would allow public funds to subsidize wealthy private
schools that charge as much as $15,000 in annual tuition.”
FACT: “Approximately 65 percent of Hawaii’s independent schools charge less
than $9,000 per year for tuition, with 43 schools costing less than $6,000 a year. A
few schools cost upwards of $15,000 annually, but the substantial range between
the highest annual tuition at a standard K-12 school ($19,200 for grades 9-12 at
Hawaii Preparatory Academy) and the lowest ($3,400 at Koolau Baptist
Academy).”
SOURCE: HONOLULU MAGAZINE.
http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/September-
2009/Private-School-Guide-2010/Paying-for-Private-
School/#.VCPdX8t0xYd
HONOLULU MAGAZINE 2014 PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE
http://www.hidili.com/pacificBasinCommunications/privateSchoolGuide/001/
Private%20School%20Guide.pdf

5. FACT: Private schools provide for financial assistance, grants, and scholarships.
Public schools as a whole do not. Public school students receive financial
assistance from corporate sponsors, financial institutions, non-profit
organizations, and philanthropists.
HSTA: “[T]his constitutional amendment will only benefit a few at the sacrifice
of the state’s neediest families.”
TRUTH? “The HSTA and Hawaii’s public school teachers want to ensure that
all of our children are treated fairly and equitably,” said Wil Okabe, HSTA
president.” [Emphasis Supplied]
SOURCE: HSTA PRESS RELEASE.
http://www.hsta.org/news/hsta-launches-community-informational-campaign-
on-preschool-constitutional-#sthash.1IkSTe38.dpuf
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
Thomas Jefferson
No legacy is so rich as honesty.
William Shakespeare
All necessary truth is its own evidence.
Ralph Waldo Emerson