News

  • Union Secures Retention Bonuses for HPD Dispatchers

    HGEA and the Honolulu Police Department reached an agreement for new monthly retention bonuses for police communications officers and emergency response operators. The agreement comes on the heels of the union publicly calling on the city council to expand its inquiry into the HPD vacancy crisis to include dispatchers, not just uniformed officers. These vital…

  • Free Christmas Concert Featuring HGEA Members in Royal Hawaiian Band

    HGEA members in the City and County of Honolulu’s Royal Hawaiian Band will lead a lineup of acclaimed musicians and artists in the free Kalikimaka Ho’omau concert heralding the start of the Christmas season. The two-hour holiday concert will be held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Seats…

  • Unit 15’s Chelsea Kahalepauole-Bizik and Kapua Chang Among the “8 Women Who Save Lives”

    When it comes to saving lives, lifeguards Chelsea Kahalepauole-Bizik and Kapua Chang are pros. As pioneering women in ocean safety their stories are highlighted in Hawaii Business Magazine’s “8 Women Who Save Lives.” Kahalepauole-Bizik, water safety officer III, started her lifeguard career at age 18 at a hotel pool. She honed her skills, like spotting distressed swimmers…

  • Randy Perreira on HPR: Federal Workers Being Used as Bargaining Chips In Government Shutdown

    Randy Perreira in his capacity as president of the Hawaii State AFL-CIO appeared on Hawaii Public Radio following threats from the White House that backpay would be withheld from federal workers once the government eventually reopens. Thousands of federal workers in Hawaii, such as TSA officers and air traffic controllers, are working without pay to…

  • Banned Books Week: How Unit 13 Librarians are Fighting for the Freedom to Read

    This week, libraries across the U.S. are observing Banned Books Week. Led by states like Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, book bans continue to rise—limiting access to vital educational resources and silencing diverse voices, especially within marginalized communities. That’s why librarians like Unit 13 members Lani Kawahara of Lihue Public Library and Jenny Silbiger of the…

  • From Tragedy to Triumph: Reed Sunahara Leading Hilo Volleyball to Victory

    For more than 30 years, Reed Sunahara, Unit 8 member and UH-Hilo women’s volleyball head coach, has been leading athletes to victory. Reed was a star athlete in his own right, receiving a scholarship to play volleyball for UCLA and later going pro. After a tragic motorcycle accident prevented him from continuing his own professional…

  • Stars of the Hawaii State Judiciary: HGEA Members Honored for Their Service

    Before his retirement, one of the last acts of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald was to present awards to Hawaii State Judiciary employees who have distinguished themselves through exceptional service and accomplishments. From exceptional case management to diligent record keeping, this year’s awardees are dedicated to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the Judiciary. Among the more…

  • “Changing Lives Everyday.” HGEA Members Honored by Gov. Green for Extraordinary Public Service

    Scores of HGEA members across state government were honored by Gov. Josh Green for their “high caliber” of service to the public. “Public employees continue to make extraordinary contributions that improve the efficiency and quality of government services,” Green said in a news release. “This year’s honorees exemplify that spirit and we are truly honored…

  • Unit 15’s Kapena Kuailani and His Family of Watermen Honored by Mayor Bissen

    Maui Lifeguard Kapena Kuailani, his son and junior lifeguard Kanoa Kuailani, and Kapena’s father, Sam Kuailani, were honored by Maui Mayor Richard Bissen for saving the life of a diver found unresponsive in waters off Kahului Harbor. Off duty at the time, Kapena, a Unit 15 member, and his family of watermen pulled the diver…

  • Pay So Low “People Won’t Even Come for an Interview,” Officials Say

    With no end in sight to the staffing vacancy crisis in state and local government, officials are once again admitting what HGEA has long contended: inadequate pay and benefits for public service jobs are hindering the recruitment and retainment of employees. “The pay is probably the biggest challenge,” said Dawn Apuna, the city’s director of…

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