Aloha!

Education is under siege today. There is no way to deny what is unfolding before us. The U.S. Department of  Education is being dismantled. Our educational institutions, from pre-school to higher education, are under  attack. Title I funding for our most vulnerable students are at risk. And there is uncertainty surrounding our  Special Education and School Meal Programs.

These are issues that HEA has not typically had to address in our work, nor has there been a need to since the advent of the State of Hawaii collective bargaining laws. Today, however, nothing can be taken for granted.

How do we respond to what is happening today? We can go back to our roots, which offers insights on a way to move forward. Based on our founding documents, when HEA was established more than 100 years ago, part of our reason for being was based on the “…urgent necessity prevalent at this time…for a unified and professional channel…” Our Charter of Incorporation by the Office of the Treasurer in the Territory of Hawaii, also shows that HEA intended to “maintain and advance the best American ideals and standards of education” and “to foster professional zeal and growth.”

Over the years, these standards have been upheld through collective bargaining and legislation and this has allowed HEA to focus on providing direct support to educators and those pursuing teaching as a profession. In many ways, we have embraced the role of being cheerleaders for Hawaii’s educators, backed by millions of dollars in investments to support their work over the years. During this challenging period, the role of HEA has become even more critical for educators across our islands.

HEA plans to stay the course. Alongside our numerous scholarship offerings, we continue to support education, educators, and aspiring educators through programs like our annual Leadership Summit, our TAAC Symposiums, and our Student Convenings. What all these have in common is the importance of an organization that provides a unified and professional channel, just as our founders envisioned.

Now more than ever, we must band together. There is strength in numbers. I encourage everyone to reach out to anyone they know that cares about education in Hawaii and ask them to consider joining HEA. If ever there was a time to expand our channel, to grow our shared space in support of Hawaii’s schools, school communities, and the educators at every level, it is now.

Thank you for your unwavering support of HEA.

Mahalo,

Joan Kamila Lewis
Board President