News

  • From Tragedy to Triumph: Reed Sunahara Leading Hilo Volleyball to Victory

    For more than 30 years, Reed Sunahara, Unit 8 member and UH-Hilo women’s volleyball head coach, has been leading athletes to victory. Reed was a star athlete in his own right, receiving a scholarship to play volleyball for UCLA and later going pro. After a tragic motorcycle accident prevented him from continuing his own professional…

  • Stars of the Hawaii State Judiciary: HGEA Members Honored for Their Service

    Before his retirement, one of the last acts of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald was to present awards to Hawaii State Judiciary employees who have distinguished themselves through exceptional service and accomplishments. From exceptional case management to diligent record keeping, this year’s awardees are dedicated to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the Judiciary. Among the more…

  • “Changing Lives Everyday.” HGEA Members Honored by Gov. Green for Extraordinary Public Service

    Scores of HGEA members across state government were honored by Gov. Josh Green for their “high caliber” of service to the public. “Public employees continue to make extraordinary contributions that improve the efficiency and quality of government services,” Green said in a news release. “This year’s honorees exemplify that spirit and we are truly honored…

  • Unit 15’s Kapena Kuailani and His Family of Watermen Honored by Mayor Bissen

    Maui Lifeguard Kapena Kuailani, his son and junior lifeguard Kanoa Kuailani, and Kapena’s father, Sam Kuailani, were honored by Maui Mayor Richard Bissen for saving the life of a diver found unresponsive in waters off Kahului Harbor. Off duty at the time, Kapena, a Unit 15 member, and his family of watermen pulled the diver…

  • Pay So Low “People Won’t Even Come for an Interview,” Officials Say

    With no end in sight to the staffing vacancy crisis in state and local government, officials are once again admitting what HGEA has long contended: inadequate pay and benefits for public service jobs are hindering the recruitment and retainment of employees. “The pay is probably the biggest challenge,” said Dawn Apuna, the city’s director of…

  • Unit 13’s Bennett Yap Is Keeping Hawaii On the Cutting Edge of Tech

    For more than 40 years, Unit 13’s Bennett Yap, information technology manager, has worked to ensure that the public has easy access to government services. One of his proudest career moments was leading the quick set up of the emergency unemployment insurance claim center in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Often working seven days a…

  • Unit 6’s Albert Hetrick Tells KHON Why Aliamanu Earned National Honors

    Aliamanu Middle School Principal Albert Hetrick, a Unit 6 member, visited KHON 2 News’ morning broadcast to celebrate his school’s selection as a 2025 “School of Distinction.” Moanalua and Kaimuki Middle Schools were also honored by the Association for Middle Level Education, making them among only 24 schools across the country to gain the distinction. “It’s humbling…

  • The Zoo’s Oki Uyeda Retires After 40 Years

    Dwain “Oki” Uyeda, animal specialist and Unit 13 member, recently celebrated his retirement after four decades of service at the Honolulu Zoo. Oki had a childhood fear of geckoes that he overcame to become the reptile keeper for beloved animal friends like Elton the crocodile monitor lizard, according to a city news release.  “Oki’s incredible…

  • Unit 3’s Darice Garcia Creating “A Place Where People Care” for Lahaina Students

    Two years after one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history ravaged Lahaina, Maui students are finding glimmers of hope on the King Kamehameha III Elementary School campus. CBS Mornings’ Nate Burleson visited the temporary campus, built in 90 days by the Army Corps. of Engineers, and spoke with Unit 3’s Darice Garcia, an educational…

  • CBS Mornings Spotlights “Bravest Lifeguards On the Planet”

    There’s no question that Oahu’s North Shore is home to some of the most dangerous waves in the world. But it’s also home to world’s most elite class of lifeguards. CBS Mornings traveled to Pipeline to speak to the men and women whose job it is to put their own lives at risk to save…

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