The number of unlicensed teachers has steadily grown in Hawaiʻi schools since the pandemic, and the state may see a wave of retirements in the coming years.

As students returned to class earlier this month, Hawaiʻi schools reported the lowest number of teacher vacancies the state has seen in more than five years. As of last week, only 73 teacher positions were unfilled, compared to more than 1,000 in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But schools are employing a growing number of unlicensed teachers, also known as emergency hires, to fill those vacancies. Last August, Hawaiʻi schools started the year with 670 emergency hires, an 80% increase from four years ago.

Emergency hires can work in schools for up to three years but must make progress toward earning their licenses.

The rece

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