News

"Leading the Way to a Better Future"
May 8-10, 2014
Hilton Waikoloa Village

County of Hawaii Mayor Billy Kenoi opened up the General Assembly, welcoming the delegates with energy and humor. "There is so much energy, opportunity and potential in this room," he said.

HGEA President Darren Wong gave his president's report, emphasizing what it means to be an influential leader and talking about his "vision of building a better HGEA — a union with the heart to serve our members and our community."

Special guest Linda Schatz, wife of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, surprised the delegates with an appearance and thanked everyone for their support of the senator.

As always, keynote speaker Lee Saunders, AFSCME International President, gave a rousing, inspiring speech and reminded everyone that even states with strong labor tradition (Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin) have lost worker rights. We need to continue to fight for our rights, he said, and "be bold, brave and determined."

In his State of the Union, HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira reiterated Saunders' address: "It's time to be bold, face the future and make a commitment. It's time for all of us to step up and do more."

Dave Levine, president of AFSCME Local 2577 in Pennsylvania and co-chair of AFSCME International Next Wave Committee, shared what the AFSCME Next Wave program is striving to achieve for workers across the nation

WATCH VIDEOS of the speakers:

• Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi
• HGEA President Darren Wong
• Linda Schatz
• AFSCME President Lee Saunders
• HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira: State of the Union
• Dave Levine, President of AFSCME Local 2577 (Pennsylvania)