Yes, Hawaii has a unique culture and values. Outsiders simply don't know how to talk local, how to do business here. Of course, if they're "too" local, they might be part of the big old machine. The best solution might be to hire a successful mainland educator with local ties, maybe someone who grew up here.

The worst thing is to hire a mainland bureaucrat who knows nothing about local ways, and is running away from a bad situation they're in right now.... which is exactly what has happened here.... auwe.