For the first time in several years, the Department of Education has filled almost all of the state's classrooms with a teacher. A week ago, the number of vacancies was 199, but that has dropped considerably, said Gerald Okamoto, assistant superintendent for the Office of Human Resources.

"There will be some locations where I just can't find the people," Okamoto said. "But I'm very pleased with the work my people did. I got some e-mails from principals in Wai'anae, and they'll be able to open the school in some cases with 100 percent staffing."

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com.