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RELEASE: Nanakuli Principal One of Only Six Finalists for National Distinguished Principal
Ten Educational Officers Across the State Nominated Christine Udarbe, principal of Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, is among only six principals from across the country who are finalists for the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ 2026 National High School Principal of the Year. Ten principals from across the state were nominated for National Distinguished…
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Lifeguards Help Rescue 98-Year-Old Woman from Historic Flood
North Shore residents were caught off guard when the state’s worst flooding in 20 years hit them hard. They had little time to prepare as waters rose quickly in the early hours of March 20, causing some residents to become trapped inside their homes. Joey Cadiz and Patrick Monaghan, Unit 15 members and lifeguards, jumped…
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MJ Nakamura changes the lives of Halawa inmates through education✨
Raised by farmers in rural Philippines who emphasized the importance of education, MJ Nakamura decided to dedicate her career to helping others reach their education goals. As a corrections education supervisor at the Halawa Correctional Facility, she develops and runs programs for the incarcerated to obtain skills, college degrees, certifications and GEDs. Despite severe short…
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Savings from Cutting Vacancies Should Benefit Workers, Not the Rich
Ginet Hayes, State Board President, the Hawaii Government Employees Association With the state facing a potential $3.5 billion loss in federal funding, right-wing advocates and think tanks like the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii have found the perfect opportunity to push their fever dream of slashing local government and public services. Lawmakers have put a lot…
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Connecting Classrooms to Careers: Three Unit 6 Principals Share Their Stories in NASSP’s Principal Leadership Magazine
Three Unit 6 members who are part of the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Academy were recognized in the organizations February issue of Principal Leadership magazine. Their first-person accounts tell the story of “connecting classrooms to careers,” building relevance and preparing students for a fast-changing world. The principals are Kelcy Koga of Waiakea High…
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Guiding our keiki back to the right path: Marlaina Fujisawa, Unit 13
When our community’s keiki face challenging times, parents know who to call for help. Marlaina Fujisawa, a Unit 13 member and longtime social worker, has dedicated more than two decades to serving the Judiciary. In her role, she manages a diverse caseload, guiding juveniles back onto the right path. There is truly no limit to…
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An inspirational leader and the Department of Health’s 2025 Employee of the Year, Bobbie Teixeira, Unit 13
Recognized for her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting Hawaii’s water systems, Bobbie Teixeira, a Unit 13 member and environmental health specialist, was honored as the Department of Health’s 2025 Employee of the Year. Like many keiki growing up in Kaneohe, Bobbie spent her childhood playing in the water, where she developed a deep…
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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: How to Get Started and Enter the App Giveaway 1. Create a New…
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👮♂️ Fearless hero: Robert Umiamaka, Unit 14, Protecting the community with bravery and dedication!
If malicious actors want to wreak havoc at our airports, they’ll have to go through Deputy Sheriff Robert Umiamaka and his K-9 Lexy first. A Unit 14 member and a director on HGEA’s Board of Directors, he’s been protecting the public for more than a decade. After starting as a corrections officer, Umiamaka later became…
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Principal Sheldon Oshio Leads Waikele Elementary School to National Honors
Retiring at the end of this year, Sheldon Oshio, Unit 6 member and principal at Waikele Elementary School, has led a legendary career spanning more than 32 years. Inspired by his parents who were both HGEA members and educators, Sheldon knew he wanted to follow their footsteps from a young age. To cap off his…
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