Another layer of supports for schools — and volunteer opportunities — is with the Hawaii State Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), a volunteer advocacy organization that is open to anyone in the community. The PTSA provides resources outside of the regular educational environment for parents, teachers and students so that Hawaii’s kids can excel in education, society and life. It offers leadership training for local units.

PTSA mission

• To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
• To raise the standards of home life.
• To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.
• To build close relationships between home and school so that parents and teachers may cooperate in the education of children and youth.
• To develop united efforts between educators and the general public to secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.​

Ways to volunteer

• Help the PTSA engage in advocacy for children in schools, communities, before government bodies and other organizations making decisions affecting children.
• Contact local legislators or become a local unit legislative chair.
• Work with the school to implement a strong family engagement policy.