Nominations open for HSTA’s Pono and Friend of Youth awards
The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association’s Human and Civil Rights Committee is seeking nominations for HSTA’s annual Pono and Friend of Youth awards.
Kahuku High educator wins 2024 HSTA Pono Award for inspiring social justice advocacy
The HSTA Human and Civil Rights Committee is proud to present Kaleo Hanohano with the 2024 Pono Award, which recognizes an exceptional HSTA member who advocates for social justice issues that impact the lives of students, fellow educators, and the community.
ʻIlima Intermediate teacher earns national human and civil rights award
The National Education Association (NEA) honored an ʻIlima Intermediate teacher with the prestigious Mary Hatwood Futrell Human and Civil Rights Award.
2021 S.T.A.C.Y. Award winner Sarah Milianta-Laffin leads by example
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 recognizes Farrington High ‘SPEDucator’ with 2021 Pono Award
Sean Witwer, a special education math teacher at Farrington High School, was selected as our 2021 Pono Award winner for his passion and advocacy to expand learning opportunities for special education students.
1,300+ HSTA members attend State of Our Union rally
More than 1,300 HSTA members logged on to view their first-ever State of Our Union Saturday morning, which featured streamed video reports from committee chairs and motivating remote speeches from national and state association leaders as well as the awarding of two important awards.
HSTA Human and Civil Rights Committee chair reflects on SY 2019–20
“Aloha! My name is Jodi Kunimitsu, and I’m a math teacher at Maui High School. This was my first year as chair of the Human and Civil Rights Committee. It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. Throughout the year, we participated in several community events.”
HSTA’s 2020 Pono Award winner continues social justice work during COVID-19 crisis
“I tend to say I’m a scrappy Title I public school kid turned scrappy Title I public school teacher. We know hungry kids can’t learn. Let’s feed them. Hot kids can’t learn. Let’s get those ACs going. If kids are embarrassed to wear dirty uniforms on campus, let's get a campus laundry. It’s just the work teachers do.”
Nominations open for HSTA’s 2020 Pono and Friend of Youth awards
The Hawaii State Teachers Association's Human and Civil Rights Committee is seeking nominations for its Pono and Friend of Youth Awards. Nominations are due Jan. 10, 2020.
Laverne Moore receives inaugural HSTA Pono Award for activism
Moore, who was born on the first day of the Hawaii Sugar Strike, is a dedicated social activist and union organizer. She has promoted the rights of English Language Learners and has also worked to provide shelter for the homeless.