There was a sad sight on Kaahumanu Avenue on Tuesday evening.
Right in front of the shopping center, a large contingent of public school teachers and their supporters were waving signs urging the public to back them in their continuing negotiations fight with Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Since July, 2011 Hawaii teachers have been working under the terms of the state's "last, best and final offer." The terms were imposed on the teachers to achieve savings before the last school year began.
Teachers initially rejected a new contract reached in January this year. They did, however, accept it in a revote held in May. Too late, the governor said, the offer was off the table.
After recent mediation failed, the talks appear completely stalled.
As we've written before, good teachers are worth their weight in gold. No, they will never be paid like that, but the service, inspiration and examples they provide to our young are invaluable.
So, we'd ask the governor to take another look at that contract offer the teachers initially rejected last January. If it was fair enough to offer then, why isn't it worth considering after the revote?
We don't think this would be taken as a sign of weakness. It would simply be a very good way for the state to show how much we appreciate our teachers.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
