Teaching in Hawaii can be a rewarding experience and an adventure of a lifetime. You get to experience a new culture, amazing island nature and the Aloha spirit. There are thousands of reasons to start teaching in Hawaii! I have landed a teaching job in Hawaii and know that the process can be overwhelming. Information is scattered on the internet and believe it or not, the application and interview process is different from the mainland of the United States. I will list everything you need to know to start teaching in Hawaii, so that you can get those job offers that you want! This post is structured in two parts. The first part discusses the application process and the second part will go over the interview process. Enjoy!

Application process

How to apply for a teaching job in Hawaii

Public schools

Anyone who wants to teach in a public school in Hawaii will have to enter the DOE’s (Department of Education) applicant pool.

The Hawaii DOE recruitment agency will send out your completed application to public schools who have openings. There is a strict protocol for hiring new public school teachers, so cold calling or sending emails to public schools will not get you a response.

Applying online to enter the Hawaii DOE applicant pool is a streamlined process. It is a multi-page application where you will answer questions about your preferences for subjects and islands, your qualifications and more.

Read this page for more information on how to apply and read the FAQ’s on the Department of Education website. The FAQ page also includes answers for non-US citizens!

Charter and private schools

You do not need to enter an applicant pool to apply at charter and private schools. Look on school websites and job boards for potential openings.

Sending emails to schools with your resume is one approach that has successfully worked for me. Look at this website page for a list of public charter schools on all islands of Hawaii.

No education degree

There are additional steps to the application process if you have a bachelors degree, but have not completed a teacher preparation program.

You will have to do an in-person interview with the Hawaii Department of Education in order to be entered into the applicant pool. This interview should be scheduled one month before the date you want to start interviewing for job opportunities.

Get your Hawaii Teacher License

You need a Hawaii Teacher License to teach in public schools, although this is not necessary for private schools.

Hawaii is in need for teachers and they will offer reciprocity for the other 49 states. This means that your teacher license in another state will be accepted and you will be granted the Hawaii Teacher License without much effort.

However, you can be hired as an unlicensed teacher in Hawaii if no licensed teacher is available for hire! Read more about the Hawaii Teacher License or apply for the Hawaii Teacher License.

What subjects to teach in Hawaii

Teach a different subject

Hawaii will allow you to teach outside of your subject area. For example, as a certified History teacher you can teach English in Hawaii.

Being willing to teach different subjects will make your job hunting process easier. You will get more job interviews and perhaps a great experience as well! You will be able to select your subject preferences when you apply online (for public schools).

High need subjects

Hawaii does need teachers, but not in all subjects. If you teach or are willing to teach a high need subject, you are more likely to get job interviews.

High need subjects are for example mathematics, ELL (English Language Learner), reading, special education and science. You can look up which subjects are in need to have the most up-to-date information.

As a tip, use the terms hiring priorities on the website of the DOE.

Teaching jobs on the different islands in Hawaii

You can select multiple islands on your application to teach in the public school system. These are Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kauai.

Do your research before you select the islands you are willing to accept interviews from. Think about your needs and if the islands have them. The demand for teachers is greater on islands other than Oahu, but it is still possible of course.

I got many interviews for jobs on the big island (Hawai’i), a couple on Kauai and none on Oahu. I did receive a job offer from a charter school on Oahu, but no job interviews for public schools.

Turning down job interviews and offers

If you turn down five job interviews or offers, your application will be inactivated. This applies to the DOE applicant pool for the public school system, not for charter schools and private schools.

You want to carefully select the islands you are willing to teach as you are limited in the amount of job opportunities you can decline.

I did turn down more than 5 job opportunities and my application was not inactivated. However, it is important to know that this a condition set by the DOE.

Teaching jobs in Hawaii, who get’s them first?

There is a hierarchy on who get’s the job interviews when you apply for the public school system.

1. If you have a Hawaii Teaching License

2. If you completed a teacher preparation program

3. If you are currently completing a teacher preparation program

4. A completed bachelor degree in related subjects

How much do teachers make in Hawaii?

Read the updated teacher salary as this can change per school year. Look at the significant pay decrease for teachers who have not completed a teacher preparation program!

Bonuses

Hawaii offers bonuses to teachers. These bonuses can be for relocation, national teacher certification and working in hard to staff areas. Read the current bonus offers on the DOE website.

When to expect the phone call for a teaching job in Hawaii

The state of Hawaii hires teachers throughout the year, but you will start receiving phone calls around June.

So don’t freak out if you haven’t gotten job interviews in May or early June. Teachers in Hawaii have until May to confirm their position for the next year.

When you do get the phone call for an interview, ask specifically what the position is for. The position might be for a Social Studies teacher, but you might be interviewing for a Journalism class. This is not always specified when they give you the call for a job interview.

Interview process

How I experienced the interviews

Public school interviews

In my experience, the interviews with public schools were structured and had little conversation between administrators and the applicant. This was weird for me, as previous teaching interviews had introductions and discussions.

The interviews for teaching jobs in Hawaii felt impersonal. A question was asked, I responded and the next question was asked. Do not let this style of interviewing create stress for you as this has been my experience with all interviews with public schools.

Charter and private school interviews

These interviews were more personal and always included a mock-lesson with staff or kids at their school.

What to talk about during the interview

Talk about these three points in your interview to make a good impression.

1. That you know the Common Core Standards and that you can implement them in your class.

2. Show your connection to Hawaii in some way. Knowing that Hawaii needs teachers, they would not want a teacher that would leave after a year right? Think about this one!

3. Your knowledge of the Hawaiian culture and motivation to learn about it. This is very important to the staff, children and communities of Hawaii. Make this one a priority to gain the respect of the staff and students.

Hawaiian focused schools

Many charter and private schools are Hawaiian focused. Such schools are focused on the Hawaiian culture, language, values and history. It will help you if you know something about these topics.

Here are some book recommendations to start:

Hawaii’s story by the queen

Sea people: The puzzle of Polynesia

Hawaiki Rising: Hōkūle‘a, Nainoa Thompson, and the Hawaiian Renaissance

Pidgin to da Max

This is Paradise: Stories

Accepting a teaching job in Hawaii

You will be pulled from the recruitment system once you accept a job offer. Signing the contract with the school means you are locked in to that public school for the school year.

You will not be able to accept another public school offer unless released by the school. Be patient and pick the teaching position that you are going to enjoy.

Want to visit Hawaii before moving there? Read our post on how to plan a trip!

We want to hear from you!

Ask me any questions you have about teaching in Hawaii and feel free to comment on your experience teaching in Hawaii!