Members hear messages of unity, organizing, collective action
Posted: April 22, 2026
Nearly 200 Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association members from across the state gathered for the 53rd Annual State Convention on Saturday at the Honolulu Country Club, where delegates debated the future of the union and heard a clear message: the work ahead will require unity, organizing, and a willingness to act.
Tui says ‘We need to stand up and say we won’t take this anymore’
In his address, HSTA President Osa Tui Jr. focused on the rising cost of living and the urgency of upcoming contract negotiations, warning that educators are continuing to fall behind.
“Throughout this year, I’ve been talking about how our paychecks are not keeping up with rising costs, especially with rents, groceries and gas. And that’s only gotten worse in the past few weeks. Way, way worse,” he said.
Looking ahead to bargaining, Tui emphasized that success will depend on member engagement and collective action.
“If we want the upper hand at the bargaining table […] we need to build our power. We need to activate our membership. We need to stand up and say we won’t take this anymore.”
He acknowledged a wide range of perspectives within the union, from those ready to strike to those more hesitant, but stressed the stakes facing educators.
“If we want to be able to afford a house rather than having to rent our entire lives, if we want to be able to take our family on a small trip, if we want just some sort of simple things in life, don’t we deserve that? Are we not worthy?”
“If that’s what we want, then we need to organize.” he said, adding, “We’re tired of being taken advantage of. We deserve respect. And we demand respect.”
Former HSTA president shares lessons from past strikes
Karen Ginoza, who served as HSTA president from 1998 to 2003, spoke to delegates and reflected on the realities of labor action and the importance of being prepared.
She recounted growing up on the sugar plantation and her first exposure to a labor strike.
“While in elementary school, my father went on a strike, and it was a long strike. I remember walking to the soup kitchen, and it was then I realized our class difference because the workers had to walk to the soup kitchen, and the supervisors’ kids ate in school.”
In 1973, she was a relatively new teacher with only five years under her belt when HSTA went on strike while teaching at Royal Elementary School in Honolulu.
“First, a strike is not an easy thing to do,” Ginoza, who later led the union during the 2001 strike, said. She described the emotional weight of leadership during the 2001 work stoppage.
“I went into the shower, put on the water, and I cried. Cried like I’ve never cried before because I realized as a leader, I had failed the teachers.”
But she also emphasized the resolve required to lead. “The next morning, I got up, got dressed, put on my armor, and got ready for battle. And you never regret it. You just keep moving forward.”
She recounted having to go room to room, talking to teachers, and finding out what the issues were. “It’s really important to touch base with your teachers so you understand the issues they’re facing,” she said.
Ginoza underscored that past strikes led to meaningful changes for educators.
“So this is why having a union fight for you and your issues is really, really important.”
She encouraged members to engage in organizing efforts already underway, particularly through listening sessions and conversations at the school level.
“You must decide what your message is. What is it that you’re going to fight for?”
Equally critical, she said, is maintaining unity and building community support. “As you go forward, it is so important that you be unified. Be together.”
Her advice also included practical preparation in case of a work stoppage. “So what you can do now is begin to set aside a savings account […] just begin to build that nest egg so you know when the time comes, you’ll be prepared.”
Together, both leaders delivered a consistent message: the path forward for Hawaiʻi’s educators will require strong member engagement and a readiness to act collectively to secure better conditions for the profession.
From left, clockwise: HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. addresses nearly 200 teacher delegates at the 53rd annual state convention Saturday at Honolulu Country Club; Former HSTA president and retired educator Karen Ginoza spoke to members at the convention, recounting her experiences during two strikes while she was teaching; HSTA’s delegation at the 53rd annual state convention.