State Department of Education employees who have played a role in keeping Lahaina schools open following the 2023 Maui wildfires have an opportunity to be recognized for their work and to receive a financial award via the state’s new Lahaina Honoring Employees’ Resilience and Optimism awards, Gov. Josh Green announced on Monday.

What You Need To Know

  • The one-time award is funded by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne
  • HERO will provide financial awards to DOE employees who directly supported Lahaina students when the schools reopened for the 2023-24 school year, as well as for the fall 2024 term
  • Eligible salaried employees will receive $2,500 per award period, while eligible casual employees will receive up to $1,000
  • Eligible active salaried and casual employees who meet minimum day or hour requirements will receive an email from the DOE with an application link

“The dedication shown by our Lahaina school employees during and after the wildfires is nothing short of extraordinary,” Green said in a statement released Monday.

“They embody the very essence of aloha — resilient in the face of adversity, compassionate in their service to others and deeply committed to the well-being of our keiki. These awards are a heartfelt recognition of their incredible efforts, but more than that, they are a celebration of the unwavering spirit that these individuals have brought to their community. In the darkest of times, they have been a beacon of hope and strength for Lahaina’s students and families. We are profoundly grateful for their courage, sacrifice and love for our island ohana.”

The one-time award is funded by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne. The longtime Hawaii residents and philanthropists have to date donated more than $250 million for a range of local causes, from schools to affordable housing to health care.

“We are honored to support the Lahaina HERO Awards and to stand with the hundreds of dedicated educators and staff whose strength and resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges has been nothing short of heroic,” the Benioffs said in a statement released on Monday.

“Education has always been a focus of our philanthropy, as it is the cornerstone of our communities. We are inspired by the commitment of these employees and proud to play a part in ensuring that Lahaina’s children continue to have access to the education they deserve.”

HERO will provide financial awards to DOE employees who directly supported Lahaina students when the schools reopened for the 2023-24 school year, as well as for the fall 2024 term. Eligible salaried employees will receive $2,500 per award period, while eligible casual employees will receive up to $1,000.

Approximately 400 employees are expected to meet the eligibility criteria for each award period.

“We are deeply appreciative of the philanthropic gift from Marc and Lynne Benioff and for the vital partnership with Governor Green, which brought the Lahaina HERO program to life,” said DOE superintendent Keith Hayashi.

“This initiative honors the resilience and service of our employees who, despite personal and professional challenges, reopened our Lahaina schools last October and continue to serve our Lahaina students, providing support, community, education and a sense of normalcy.”

Eligible active salaried and casual employees who meet minimum day or hour requirements will receive an email from the DOE with an application link. 

The Maui Economic Development Board will issue the award payments once applications have been processed. The deadline for applications for the 2023-24 school year award is September 3, 2024, with payments expected to be processed within six to eight weeks.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.