She was a founding leader of HSTA and spent decades on the union’s staff
Posted: November 7, 2023
A celebration of life has been set for Joan Lee Husted, one of the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s founding mothers who worked for the union for 34 years and retired as its executive director. She died Oct. 2 at home in Makiki at age 85.
Husted’s celebration of life will be held at the John A. Burns Hall of the Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The hall is named for John Burns, Hawaiʻi’s governor when Husted and other teacher leaders founded the HSTA in 1971.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Husted’s memory may be made to the following non-profit organizations: Aloha United Way, Hawaiʻi Education Association, Hawaiʻi Public Radio, and PBS Hawaiʻi.
Husted is survived by her daughter Tina Lacy of Makiki, son-in-law Rodney, two grandchildren, a great-grandson, and her brother Harry Robert Husted of Texas.
Husted joined the HSTA staff in July 1973, first serving as director of field services. She later became HSTA’s chief negotiator, deputy executive director, and its first female executive director, retiring from that position in 2007. She negotiated 15 collective bargaining agreements for teachers during her time with the union.
Husted’s legendary prowess as a shrewd negotiator and tireless teacher advocate benefited generations of educators and students in the islands. She continued her public service long after her retirement as an active participant in a number of think tanks and organizations, including the Hawaiʻi Education Association, which promotes educator professionalism and quality education in the islands. At the time of her passing, Husted was the vice president of HEA.
Read HSTA’s tribute to Husted where you can also see photos from her decades of service to the union.