Teachers from the mainland only get credit for a few years of seniority, creating another challenge in efforts to address Hawaii’s teacher shortage.

UPDATED: The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled the language wasn’t clear enough on a proposed constitutional amendment to fund public schools.

All the state’s counties oppose the proposed constitutional amendment, arguing it would siphon dollars from their tax base.

Union leaders say the four teachers seeking House seats are the highest number of teacher-candidates in recent years.

Compulsory union dues are a thing of the past due to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. But some say a pro-union culture in the islands will prevail.

Many expect the nation’s highest court to make public-sector union dues voluntary, reversing four decades of labor law.

The Hawaii teachers union is also pushing lawmakers to place a tax increase proposal on the ballot this year to pay for improving schools.

Developers or residents in the 4-mile section from Kalihi to Ala Moana would eventually be forced to pay fees or donate land.

Many other union contracts are still being negotiated, but David Ige is being praised by the teachers union after it reached a deal with the state.

The current teacher contract negotiations invoke memories of 2001, the last time teachers went on strike.

The unprecedented move of releasing the union’s negotiating positions — and the state’s pay offer — brings a new level of transparency.

About 39,000 additional residential units are expected along a 4-mile stretch of the Honolulu rail route, requiring more schools.