Pre WW2, some public schools in Hawaii were at a level equal or greater than Punahou or Iolani.  Some Oahu public schools were designated English standard schools & not everyone was accepted in these public schools.  Unions are important to protect workers from abuse, getting ripped off etc., however in Hawaii unions such as the HSTA in public education has become an out of control cancer that put the education of children at the LOWEST priority & in general discourages the high academic personal achievement and independent thought in BOTH public students & teachers.  Union bloats the DOE with make work jobs from from teachers aides to DOE administrators.  FACT:  Obama would have NEVER become the Pres of the United States if he attended public school in Hawaii.  Read his autobiography.  He talks about racism in Hawaii even while he attend Punahou but besides the individual academic excellence strived there, racism he would have experienced in public school would have been much worse