advocacy Archives - Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association

Castle High teacher Lauren Pokipala wins 2026 HSTA STACY Award for Teaching Excellence
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Castle High teacher Lauren Pokipala wins 2026 HSTA STACY Award for Teaching Excellence

Jill Meinecke2026-05-21T08:49:50-10:00May 18, 2026|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, Castle High, ELA coach, Hawaii State Capitol, Lauren Pokipala, reading intervention, S.T.A.C.Y. Award, STACY Award, teaching excellence|

She stresses importance of meeting students ‘where they’re at’ Posted: May 18, 2026 The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s STACY Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes a teacher who demonstrates leadership, dedication and passion in the areas of scholarship, teaching, advocacy, community and youth. It is one of the highest honors bestowed by the union. This year’s recipient is Lauren Pokipala, an English language arts curriculum coach in the reading intervention program at Castle High School. She was honored in a special awards ceremony at the Honolulu Country Club on May 16. Pokipala has spent her entire 19-year [...]

HSTA searches for deputy executive director, chief negotiator
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HSTA searches for deputy executive director, chief negotiator

Jill Meinecke2025-09-25T13:34:55-10:00September 25, 2025|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, bargaining, chief negotiator, deputy executive director, hiring, labor union relations, negotiation, now hiring, Oahu, public charter schools, public schools, UniServ Directors, UniServ Manager|

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association is seeking applicants for two management-level positions: deputy executive director and chief negotiator.

New UniServ director brings legal, education experience to teachers union
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New UniServ director brings legal, education experience to teachers union

Terri Inefuku2024-08-09T12:26:19-10:00August 9, 2024|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, Honolulu Chapter, HSTA, Jorge Ochoa, Leeward Chapter, UniServ director|

Meet Jorge Ochoa, a Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association UniServ director with a focus on advocacy for the union’s Honolulu and Leeward chapters. His first day was Aug. 1.

We’re hiring! HSTA UniServ Director on Oʻahu
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We’re hiring! HSTA UniServ Director on Oʻahu

Terri Inefuku2023-03-21T12:54:11-10:00March 21, 2023|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, HSTA, job opening, Oahu, UniServ director|

If you are a professional with an understanding of the operations of a labor union and have direct experience in union advocacy representation, organizing, program coordination, and bargaining, we’d like to talk to you!

HSTA welcomes new UniServ Director for Windward Oahu
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HSTA welcomes new UniServ Director for Windward Oahu

Jill Meinecke2022-09-23T11:39:41-10:00September 23, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, contract, HSTA members, teachers, union, UniServ director, Windward Chapter|

The Hawaii State Teachers Association is pleased to welcome Kristin Hamada to the organization in the role of UniServ Director for Windward Oahu. Her first day was Sept. 19.

Hawaiʻi will provide free period products in all public schools
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Hawaiʻi will provide free period products in all public schools

Terri Inefuku2022-06-21T16:39:26-10:00June 21, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, bill, David Ige, governor, Hawaii, Ilima Intermediate, law, legislature, Mai Movement Hawaii, menstrual equity, menstruation, period, Period poverty, Senate Bill 2821, testimony, Washington Place|

Gov. David Ige signed Senate Bill 2821 into law Monday, making Hawaiʻi the sixth state in the country to provide quality menstrual supplies free of charge to public school students.

Apply to be a UniServ Director on Oahu
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Apply to be a UniServ Director on Oahu

Jill Meinecke2022-05-24T15:03:09-10:00May 24, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, due process, now hiring, organizing, union, UniServ director, Windward Chapter|

The Hawaii State Teachers Association has an opening for a UniServ Director position located on the island of Oahu, with the geographic coverage area of Windward Oahu.

HSTA welcomes advocacy UniServ director for Central, Honolulu, Kauai chapters
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HSTA welcomes advocacy UniServ director for Central, Honolulu, Kauai chapters

Jill Meinecke2022-02-16T16:03:00-10:00February 16, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, arbitration, attorney, Central Chapter, contract law, grievances, Honolulu Chapter, investigations, Kauai Chapter, law school, Maryland State Education Association, NEA, UniServ Academy, UniServ director|

Scott Miller joined HSTA as its new advocacy UniServ director for Central, Honolulu, and Kauai chapters late last month bringing years of experience in education, law, and teacher advocacy to his role.

2021 S.T.A.C.Y. Award winner Sarah Milianta-Laffin leads by example
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2021 S.T.A.C.Y. Award winner Sarah Milianta-Laffin leads by example

Terri Inefuku2021-04-22T00:22:19-10:00April 21, 2021|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, community, Ilima Intermediate, pono award, Rainbow Royales, Sarah Milianta-Laffin, scholarship, STACY Award, teaching, youth|

Our 2021 recipient, Ilima Intermediate teacher Sarah “Mili” Milianta-Laffin, clearly demonstrates each of the five criteria of the S.T.A.C.Y. Award: scholarship, teaching, advocacy, community, and youth.

HSTA’s Human and Civil Rights Committee holds first HSTA CARES listening session
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HSTA’s Human and Civil Rights Committee holds first HSTA CARES listening session

Evan Kumasaki2023-05-30T20:28:37-10:00June 25, 2020|Categories: News|Tags: advocacy, culture, equity, HCR, HSTA CARES, human and civil rights, listening session, respect, support|

HSTA CARES represents the committee’s new initiative to integrate social justice principles into education to create schools and communities that are safe, inclusive, and equitable for all keiki.