High School is quite a confusing time for many teenagers. For some, this is when dating begins. Whether it grows from a prom or banquet date, sitting next to each other every day in math, or working together on a community service project, student relationships can result in many questions.

March 20 will be the first day of spring, and finding true love is in the air.  With this in mind, we asked some of our very own teachers for some dating advice.

We asked a wide variety of teachers, including male, female, married, and single staff. Some teachers believed they were “semi-qualified,” “absolutely not qualified,” had 30 plus years of qualification, or had an educational background that made them qualified.

Teachers gave their own opinions about the right age to begin dating, but most teachers said that it depended on someone’s maturity level.

“If youʻre to0 immature, you’re not going to get the full experience,” 9-10 counselor, Ms. Malorie Chong said.

“Decisions at a young age can limit options in the future,” Profe Linden Wada said.

Some also believed that to begin dating, there was certain criteria to meet.

“If you canʻt afford to take somebody to someplace nice, and you canʻt drive that person to someplace, then you shouldn’t be dating,” said Ms. Lauren Noa, 11th grade seminar teacher.

Being in relationships can be a tricky thing, but getting out of them can be even trickier. When letting someone down the teachers’ advice was to always be gentle and courteous.

“Kumu (Lōkahi) always says love is the best thing in the world, and it’s also the worst thing in the world,” Hawaiian studies teacher, Kumu Kapulani Antonio said.

The Antonios have been together for about 32 years. This year they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary of marriage. Being together for so long, they have learned a lot from each other.

“The heart of any kind of relationship is talking. Kumu (Kapulani) taught me that,” Kumu Lōkahi said.

One thing that couples can disagree on is time spent hanging out with friends.

“If she wonʻt let you go surfing, then leave,” Kumu Dale Nitta said.  “Nahh, depends on the situation,” he said to indicate that he was only joking.

Interviewing the staff and getting their perspectives on relationships was pretty eye opening. This just proves that teachers and parents have almost the same opinions on dating. Maybe we should listen?