Hawaii State Teachers Association

P​​ublic school graduate and Senate Labor Chair Brandon Elefante (D, Aiea, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Waimalu, Pearl City) told the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association that collaboration between lawmakers, the union, and education advocates helped pass key bills this legislative session related to automatic step increases, educator safety, and teacher retention.

In a recent Talk Story between HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. and Elefante, the ʻAiea High graduate said he understands firsthand the impact teachers have on students’ lives, and why supporting educators must remain a legislative priority.

Sen. Brandon Elefante reflects on legislative wins for teachers, public schools - Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Senate labor chair says collaboration with HSTA helped pass key bills
Posted: May 28, 2026 P​​ublic school graduate and Senate Labor Chair Brandon Elefante (D, Aiea, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Waimalu, Pearl City) told the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association...

P​​robationary and all non-tenured Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) employees MUST report back on the first day of next school year for teachers on Tuesday, July 28, or risk losing their probationary status. Those non-tenured teachers (including emergency hires) who either don’t report to their worksite on the first day for teachers or are not on pre-approved paid leave that day may forfeit their probationary step and the accrued compensation and benefits associated with it, including sick leave.

Probies: Be sure to report to your worksite on teachers' first day, July 28 - Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Non-tenured teachers can forfeit their probationary status if they aren't on campus that first day
Posted: May 28, 2026 P​​robationary and all non-tenured Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) employees MUST report back on the first day of ne...

Tomorrow, May 29 is the deadline for EUTF open enrollment. Get all the details ⬇️

What you need to know about health coverage (EUTF) open enrollment - Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Open enrollment takes place May 1 to May 29, 2026 Posted: April 24, 2026 T​​​​​​​he

E​​ducators who participate in voluntary training during non-working hours will see a 3.4% increase in their stipends starting July 1, with the full-day stipend rising from $194.01 to $200.80.

According to Hawaiʻi State Department of Education guidelines, stipends may be used to compensate teachers for voluntary training activities only; they do not apply to mandatory meetings such as curriculum development or school action planning sessions, for which educators must be given recall pay.

Stipends increase July 1 for voluntary HIDOE training - Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association The pay is going up by more than 3%
Posted: May 28, 2026 E​​ducators who participate in voluntary training during non-working hours will see a 3.4% increase in their stipends starting July 1, with the full-day stipend rising from $194.01 to $200.80. ...

It's the final of the 2025-26 school year!

This week's photo comes from HSTA’s Central Chapter when they had their Representative Assembly meeting at Mililani High. Mahalo for your solidarity!

We can't wait to receive YOUR school's photo — submit now at hsta.org/tealtuesday.

Submit your #TealTuesday photos - Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Share a group photo of you and your colleagues in your new, teal HSTA shirts
Posted: September 12, 2025
It's a new school year, and that means it's new chance to show your union pride!
We're asking Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association members to take...

Have you had a chance to take HSTA's 2026 Member Survey yet? Share your interests, preferences, and perspectives as well as your thoughts on various Membership Services programs. The survey is completely anonymous and should take around 15 minutes to complete. Bonus: At the end of the survey, you’ll have the opportunity to enter to win one of two pairs of Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones! IMPORTANT: Click the link on the survey finish page to enter the contest.

Find the survey link in Friday's Member Matters newsletter!

The HSTA gave its 2026 Friend of Youth Award to Shirley De Rego, who created a foundation that has empowered more than 1,000 young people on Hawaiʻi Island with water-safety knowledge and life-saving skills, as she honored the lives of her two sons who died in separate accidents five years apart.

De Rego and her team of volunteers have worked with nine middle schools across Hawai’i Island to create a water safety and ocean awareness program that has benefited more than 1,000 keiki in the last six years.

Friend of Youth winner turned tragedies into life-saving teaching - Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Shirley De Rego's foundation funds water safety, first aid training on Hawaiʻi Island

Posted: May 18, 2026

T​​​​​he Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association gave its 2026 Friend of Youth Award to Shirley De Rego, who created a foundation that has empowe...