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Blazing a Trail for Women in Ocean Safety
Ever since she was a little girl, Toni Watanuki of Unit 15 knew she was destined to be a lifeguard. Watanuki has been a water safety officer at Hanauma Bay for the past three years. Her journey began with the junior lifeguard program, where she found inspiration from her instructors—especially the trailblazing women who helped…
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“Survive Until the Midterms” — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz Townhall
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has emerged as one of the strongest voices of opposition to the unprecedented assault being waged in Washington D.C. against working people by billionaires and anti-union extremists. The senator joined AFL-CIO members last week to offer his take on the current administration’s agenda of public service cuts, mass firings and devastating…
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It’s a Home Run: Two Members Honored in Hall of Fame
One coached the University of Hawaii-Hilo baseball team to more than 500 wins, the other a two-time Olympian who coached UH-Hilo women’s volleyball to six national championships — both are retired Unit 8 members being inducted into the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame. Joey Estrella began his baseball career under legendary UH coach Les…
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New State Board of Directors Sworn In
State Board President Ginet Hayes, a Unit 13 member, challenged the recently elected HGEA State Board of Directors to commit to growing and strengthening the union for the future. Her remarks occurred during the board’s orientation and swearing in on Friday, July 25, marking the beginning of the 2025-2027 term. “To our younger leaders –…
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HGEA’s John Higgins to Sit On City Task Force to Examine HPD Vacancy Crisis
A month after HGEA publicly called on the Honolulu City Council to expand its inquiry into police department vacancies to include civilian dispatchers, council members selected Union Agent John Higgins to sit on its 11-member panel to investigate the problem. His appointment marks a potential turning point in HPD’s years-long neglect to address recruitment and retainment of…
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HGEA Voted Best Local Union in Hawaii
More than 50,000 KITV viewers from across the state have spoken: the Hawaii Government Employees Association is the best local union in 2025. For 90 years HGEA has been on the front lines fighting for workers’ rights in the workplace, including job security, pay and benefits, good working conditions and fair treatment. We are proud…
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Peter Oshiro Makes Dining Out Safe In Hawaii
Peter Oshiro, manager of the Environmental Health Program in the Department of Health, has led one of the most critical departments to keep the community safe from communicable diseases. Oshiro, MCEC member, has more than 20 years of service in the union as a steward and board member, and he remains a strong advocate of…
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RELEASE: HGEA Calls on City Council to Expand HPD Staffing Crisis Inquiry to Include Police Communication Officers
Severe Shortage of Police Dispatchers in the Honolulu Police Department Threatens Public Safety The Hawaii Government Employees Association this week called on the Honolulu City Council to expand its recently established taskforce to tackle the Honolulu Police Department’s shortage of uniformed officers to include civilian police communication officers, commonly known as dispatchers. These vital employees…
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HGEA on KITV Island Life Live ft. Jaedyn Pavao, Unit 9 Nurse & 2025 Miss Aloha Hula
As we celebrate Nurses’ Week, joining us on KITV Island Life Live is Unit 9 Member Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao. She spoke on her win in the Miss Aloha Hula competition at this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival, and her experience as a Registered Nurse II with the state Department of Health on Kauai.
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Unit 9 Member Jaedyn Pavao Wins Miss Aloha Hula
As we celebrate Nurses’ Week, joining us on KITV Island Life Live is Unit 9 Member Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao. She spoke on her win in the Miss Aloha Hula competition at this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival, and her experience as a Registered Nurse II with the state Department of Health on Kauai.
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