HGEA

Author: Kristina Lum

  • ⛔🚫We condemn Sen. Donna Mercado Kim’s speech disrespecting educational officers.

    FIGHTING FOR YOU

    Sen. Donna Mercado Kim Lashed Out at Educational Officers — HGEA Fired Back

    We’re calling her out for bullying and disrespect.

    Donna and Randy

    Sen. Donna Mercado Kim took to the floor of the state Senate this week to insult principals and educational officers in our public schools, calling them rude and disrespectful simply for showing up to her committee hearing last week Friday and sharing their opinions.

    We’re not letting her get away with it. On Wednesday, Executive Director Randy Perreira addressed a letter to Sen. Kim, copying the rest of her Senate colleagues, to condemn her attacks on free speech and her attempts to twist what happened on Friday to advance her agenda of dismantling the education department.

    “Your deplorable floor speech fits with your pattern of lashing out when you are questioned and opposed — it is downright Trumpian,” Perreira wrote to Sen. Kim.

    IN THE NEWS

    Union Rebukes Senator as School Leadership Bill Sparks Capitol Clash

    Randy Perreira Spoke out on KHON-2 News

    Randy Interview

    After obtaining a letter from HGEA addressed to Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, KHON-2’s Jill Kuramoto spoke with Executive Director Randy Perreira about his condemnation of Kim for her attacks on principals, vice principals and educational officers.

    “She crossed the line with my organization when she decided to attack public employees directly. So we are fighting back,” said Perreira in the interview.

    FIGHTING FOR YOU

    DOE Restructuring Bill Advances

    SB 3334 creates new levels of bureaucracy.

    The Senate Education Committee advanced its bill that would upend the structure of the state Department of Education with amendments that would create a whole new layer of bureaucracy.

    Referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee, with no hearing date set, the revised bill seeks to replace 16 Complex Area Superintendents with District Superintendents and with one or more deputies.

    Even more alarming for HGEA members, the bill changes the way principals, vice principals and educational officers are selected and evaluated.

    We continue to monitor this bill. If a hearing is scheduled, we will update members and ask that you mobilize as strongly as you did on Friday, Feb. 13.

    Southwest Airlines

    Book your next adventure with our increased inter-island discount.


    UH Family Fun Day: Men’s Volleyball

    UH vs. UCLA at the BankOh Arena, Stan Sheriff Center. Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m.

    FacebookInstagramYouTube

    FOLLOW US

    Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

    For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

    If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

    (808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

  • Sen. Donna Mercado Kim Lashes Out at Educational Officers — HGEA Fires Back 

    Sen. Donna Mercado Kim Lashes Out at Educational Officers — HGEA Fires Back 

    Donna Kim and Randy Perreira

    Sen. Donna Mercado Kim took to the floor of the state Senate this week to insult principals and educational officers in our public schools, calling them rude and disrespectful simply for showing up to her committee hearing on Friday and sharing their opinions. 

    We’re not letting her get away with it. On Wednesday, Executive Director Randy Perreira addressed a letter to Sen. Kim, copying the rest of her Senate colleagues, to condemn her attacks on free speech and her attempts to twist what happened on Friday to advance her agenda of dismantling the education department. 

    “Your deplorable floor speech fits with your pattern of lashing out when you are questioned and opposed — it is downright Trumpian,” Perreira wrote to Sen. Kim. “Here is what is disrespectful: Using your personal vendetta against school officials in your district for not agreeing or kowtowing to you. Your attempt to use your position to dismantle the organizational structure of our school system is an extreme means of attacking two school principals and their Complex Area Superintendent.” 

    Sen. Kim’s measure, SB 3334, would completely upend the way educational officers are selected and evaluated. It would also dismantle the DOE’s system of supports by axing the Complex Area Superintendents. As Perreira points out, Sen. Kim’s proposal has nothing to do with making education better for kids and everything to do with settling scores against educators who oppose her and bullying DOE officials she has a beef with. 

    This is what principals, vice principals and other educational officers showed up en masse to oppose. Based on her floor speech days later, it is clear the opposition from EOs got under Sen. Kim’s skin. 

    Contrary to claims by Sen. Kim, our members did not boo other testifiers and they were never reprimanded for their behavior by staff of the Legislature. They were exercising their rights as citizens to “petition their government for a redress of grievances,” as the First Amendment spells out. 

    HGEA will stand with our members who choose to oppose and speak out against Sen. Kim’s agenda. “I hope it is apparent that the HGEA will not stand for this type of bullying and attempted censorship in Hawaii. You can rest assured that we will defend our right to free speech, and that our elected representatives have not heard the last of us,” Perreira wrote. 

  • 🤙🙌Mahalo for telling lawmakers, “Hands off DOE.”

    FIGHTING AT THE LEGISLATURE

    Mahalo for Telling Lawmakers

    ’Hands Off DOE’

    The fight against bad bills isn’t over.

    Mahalo for everyone who showed up to the Senate Education Committee or wrote testimony against SB 3334 introduced by Sen. Donna Kim that would change the way principals are selected and evaluated, as well as rid the Department of Education of Complex-Area Superintendents.

    Lawmakers were not expecting so many of you to turn out. In fact, Sen. Kim stood in the chamber of the Senate today to call principals and EOs rude and disrespectful.

    Here’s what’s disrespectful: Sen. Kim using a personal vendetta against school officials in her district to dismantle the entire DOE. This has nothing to do with making public schools work better for the kids of Hawaii and everything to do with Kim’s penchant for bullying and settling scores — it is downright Trumpian.

    Your presence set a strong example for your students about what civic engagement and exercising our First Amendment rights is all about.

    Next Steps

    We’re now waiting for lawmakers to schedule a hearing with the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which could happen by the end of the week. We’ll need your voices to be as loud and forceful as they were on Friday.

    Southwest Airlines

    Book your next adventure with our increased inter-island discount.


    UH Family Fun Day: Men’s Volleyball

    UH vs. UCLA at the BankOh Arena, Stan Sheriff Center. Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m.

    FacebookInstagramYouTube

    FOLLOW US

    Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

    For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

    If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

    (808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

  • Listen now:🎙️Ep. 20 The 2026 Legislative Session

    Banner: The Negotiation Table podcast, 2026 Legislative Session With HGEA Executive Director, Randy Perreira

    The 2026 legislative session is underway, with lawmakers grappling with the impact of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill passed by extremists in Congress and the White House. The bill slashed billions from the states for supplemental food benefits and healthcare for the most vulnerable, all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Lawmakers are in the uncomfortable position of figuring out how to balance the state’s budget while preserving vital services to the public. And that’s just one issue among many directly related to labor.

    HGEA MEDIA CAMPAIGN

    When Hawaii calls, who will be there to answer?

    Check out our new ads featuring our very own members.

    Banner: Photos of HGEA members in new ads

    The state is facing a potential $3.5 billion loss in federal funding after extremists in control of Washington, D.C. handed massive tax cuts to billionaires and greedy corporations. In Hawaii, this could result in 3,400 job losses, 62,000 people losing health care, and 94,000 children and kupuna kicked off SNAP food benefits.


    As lawmakers scramble for ways to cover the shortfall, we’re telling them to keep their hands off our public services. Government workers provide essential services that the public relies on. If they are impacted by cuts, who will be there to answer when Hawaii calls?

    RECENTLY LAUNCHED

    Your Union at Your Fingertips

    Download the app for a chance to win!

    Photo: New HGEA mobile app has launched!

    After 10 years, our website has received a much-needed tech upgrade and makeover. And HGEA, for the first time ever, has a new mobile app for members.

    Union news and resources will be even easier to access. At your fingertips, you’ll have:

    • Contracts, agreements, and key documents
    • Your island division and union agent contacts
    • News and updates, including breaking news
    • Exclusive discounts at 100+ vendors
    • Event calendar and easy registration

    How to Get Started and Enter the App Giveaway


    1. Create a New Login

    Your previous website account did not transfer to the new website. Create a new account to use on both the new website and mobile app.

    2. Download the App

    Available on the Google Play or Apple Store.

    3. Submit Giveaway Entry Form

    Select the banner at the bottom of the app home screen to login and submit your entry for a prize (up to $200 total; $20 per-person limit) for you and your office:

    • Lunch for you and your coworkers from an eatery of your choice
    • A Keurig coffee machine, coffee K cups and snacks for your break room
    • Desserts for the office from a bakery/eatery of your choice

    Any winner belonging to the Retirees Unit will win $200 worth of refreshment funds for their island chapter’s next general membership meeting.

    

    25 winners will be selected: five each from Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island Divisions, and 10 from Oahu Island Division.

    Deadline to enter the giveaway is Tuesday, March 31.

    Southwest Airlines

    Book your next adventure with our increased inter-island discount.


    UH Family Fun Day: Men’s Volleyball

    UH vs. UCLA at the BankOh Arena, Stan Sheriff Center. Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m.

    FacebookInstagramYouTube

    FOLLOW US

    Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

    For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

    If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

    (808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

  • Randy Perreira on the 2026 Legislative Session

    Randy Perreira on the 2026 Legislative Session

    The 2026 legislative session is underway, with lawmakers grappling with the impact of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill passed by extremists in Congress and the White House. The bill slashed billions from the states for supplemental food benefits and healthcare for the most vulnerable, all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Lawmakers are in the uncomfortable position of figuring out how to balance the state’s budget while preserving vital services to the public. And that’s just one issue among many directly related to labor.

  • Ho‘olaha, January-February 2026

    Ho‘olaha, January-February 2026

  • Rescheduled: Oahu EA/EO Institute Days

    EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS & EDUCATIONAL OFFICERS

    Rescheduled Institute Day Conferences

    Held virtually on Friday, Feb. 13.

    Aloha Oahu EAs and EOs,

    The state Department of Education is rescheduling today’s institute day to Friday, Feb. 13 after it was cancelled due to severe weather conditions.

    Friday’s neighbor island institute day sessions will be turned into statewide ones that you can attend virtually.

    Those who were registered to attend today’s event will automatically be registered for the rescheduled one. If you weren’t registered before and would like to attend, you have until Feb. 11 to do so using the information below.

    Educational Officers

    Friday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

    Educational Assistants

    Friday, Feb. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.


    Due to limited bandwidth, we highly encourage holding a “watch party” with the EAs at your school.

    All attendees must receive approval from their respective principal prior to attending.

    If you have any questions or concerns, contact our Member Service Center at (808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org. Please note that HGEA offices are also closed today due to the forecasted severe weather, but we will reach out to you as soon as we reopen.

    Southwest Airlines

    Book your next adventure with our increased inter-island discount.

    UH Family Fun Day

    Men’s Basketball

    Cheer on your favorite basketball team!

    FacebookInstagramYouTube

    FOLLOW US

    Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

    For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

    If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

    (808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

  • 🚀 Explore our refreshed website and new mobile app!📱

    NEWLY LAUNCHED

    Your Union at Your Fingertips

    Download the app for a chance to win!

    Photo: New HGEA mobile app has launched!

    After 10 years, our website has received a much-needed tech upgrade and makeover. And HGEA, for the first time ever, has a new mobile app for members.

    Union news and resources will be even easier to access. At your fingertips, you’ll have:

    • Contracts, agreements, and key documents
    • Your island division and union agent contacts
    • News and updates, including breaking news
    • Exclusive discounts at 100+ vendors
    • Event calendar and easy registration

    How to Get Started and Enter the App Giveaway


    1. Create a New Login

    Your previous website account did not transfer to the new website. Create a new account to use on both the new website and mobile app.

    2. Download the App

    Available on the Google Play or Apple Store.

    3. Submit Giveaway Entry Form

    Select the banner at the bottom of the app home screen to login and submit your entry for a prize (up to $200 total; $20 per-person limit) for you and your office:

    • Lunch for you and your coworkers from an eatery of your choice
    • A Keurig coffee machine, coffee K cups and snacks for your break room
    • Desserts for the office from a bakery/eatery of your choice

    Any winner belonging to the Retirees Unit will win $200 worth of refreshment funds for their island chapter’s next general membership meeting.

    

    25 winners will be selected: five each from Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island Divisions, and 10 from Oahu Island Division.

    Deadline to enter the giveaway is Tuesday, March 31.

    Wayfinder Waikiki

    Central to the all the action, get a discount off your next staycation at the Wayfinder.


    UH Family Fun Day: Men’s Basketball

    UH vs. UCSB at the BankOh Arena, Stan Sheriff Center. Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.

    FacebookInstagramYouTube

    FOLLOW US

    Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

    For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

    If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

    (808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

  • Newly Launched: Refreshed Website and Mobile App

    Newly Launched: Refreshed Website and Mobile App

    After 10 years, our website has received a much-needed tech upgrade and makeover. And HGEA, for the first time ever, has a new mobile app for members. Union news and resources will be even easier to access.

    At your fingertips, you’ll have:

    • Contracts, agreements, and key documents
    • Your island division and union agent contacts
    • News and updates, including breaking news
    • Exclusive discounts at 100+ vendors
    • Event calendar and easy registration

    How to Get Started and Enter the App Giveaway

    1. Create a New Login
    Your previous website account did not transfer to the new website. Create a new account to use on both the new website and mobile app.

    2. Download the App
    Available on the Google Play or Apple Store.

    3. Submit Giveaway Entry Form
    Select the banner at the bottom of the app home screen to login and submit your entry for a prize (up to $200 total; $20 per-person limit) for you and your office:

    • Lunch for you and your coworkers from an eatery of your choice
    • A Keurig coffee machine, coffee K cups and snacks for your break room
    • Desserts for the office from a bakery/eatery of your choice

    Any winner belonging to the Retirees Unit will win $200 worth of refreshment funds for their island chapter’s next general membership meeting. 

    25 winners will be selected: five each from Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island Divisions, and 10 from Oahu Island Division.

    Deadline to enter the giveaway is Tuesday, March 31.

  • Last Call: Register for EO Institute Day Conferences

    EDUCATIONAL OFFICERS

    Institute Day Conferences

    Register by Tuesday, Feb. 3.

    We can’t wait to see you at our upcoming institute day. Don’t forget to register by Feb. 3!


    This year’s theme is “Planning for Tomorrow, Today.” With over half of you eligible to retire, this is a chance to take a moment out of your busy schedule to learn about planning your next chapter in life. Additionally, our keynote speaker Ronn Nozoe, National Association of Secondary School Principals CEO, will discuss the looming federal uncertainties. View flyer for more program details.

    Oahu

    Monday, Feb. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

    Moanalua High School

    Performing Arts Center

    In-person only

    Neighbor Islands

    Friday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

    Waiakea High School Library

    In-person for Big Island;

    Virtual for Maui, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai

    Hanamura Appraisal

    Save on your next home appraisal with this established Oahu appraisal company.

    UH Family Fun Day: Men’s Basketball

    UH vs. UCSB at the BankOh Arena, Stan Sheriff Center. Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.

    FacebookInstagramYouTube

    FOLLOW US

    Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

    For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

    If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

    (808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.