Hawaii Education Association is saddened by the loss of two former members who generously volunteered their invaluable time, knowledge and passion for education to the Hawaii Education Association, in particular the HEA Educational Programs Committee and its former HEA Creative Writing Festival.
James Harstad (April 3, 1940 to July 19, 2022)
Jim’s teaching career began in Washington state, but he later moved to Hawaii and had a long career teaching at the University Laboratory School where he created an integrated English program in journal writing, grammar and reading aloud. Jim joined the Hawaii Education Association in 1987 and served as a Board of Trustee member from 1989 to 1991. From 1995 to 2010, he played an instrumental role in the success of HEA’s Creative Writing Festival which showcased the work of hundreds of Hawaii’s aspiring young writers. He dedicated countless hours training and prepping judges during workshops, as well as publishing an annual book with all of the winners’ entries. Jim was brilliantly creative, but always humble and kind. He led by example and was always willing to freely help others. Without question, Jim made an indelible mark on those with whom he worked, from Board and Committee members to staff and association members. Whether it was his genuine care for others or dedication, professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and leadership, Jim was truly one-of-a-kind and will be sincerely missed.
Margaret Fuchino (May 3, 1937 to August 1, 2022)
Former Educational Programs Committee members and HEA board and staff were also deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Margaret Fuchino. Margaret had a long teaching career in Hawaii with her retirement taking place in 1992 as a teacher at Waimea Elementary & Intermediate school. Margaret, a former resident of Hilo, was a dedicated and valued member of the HEA Statewide Educational Programs Committee for 21 years and a member on HEA’s Membership Committee for 5 years. Margaret’s devotion and valuable support of HEA’s Creative Writing Festival program was truly appreciated. Every year, she would fly over to Oahu and spend the day to personally help at the event. Her warm smile and care for the students were sincerely heartfelt. Margaret will always be remembered and truly missed.
Deepest sympathy and condolences to the Harstad and Fuchino families.
We take a moment to remember the members who have passed this year. Many of our successes are due to dedicated lifetime educators who championed effective teaching and excellence in education.
Agustin, Jessie J
Alip, Francisco
Aoki, Sadao H
Asahi, Tamiko T
Asato, Setsuko H
Chee, Carol Aym
Chock, Martha
Chu, Deborah
Chun, Jean H
Clark, William B
Derasin, William
Derby, Jon W
Echiverri, Lily C
El Swaify, Samir A
Engelhardt, Douglas G
Fuchino, Margaret H
Fujiwara, Jane M
Gallagher, Ruth A
Ginoza, Janet K
Guillory, Richard J
Gurian, Jay P
Hamakawa, Kiyoshi
Hankinson, Carol V
Harada, Merle R
Harstad, James R
Hayashi, Clara C
Hayashi, Edwin T
Henriques, Eugene
Higa, Jeane E
Hiranaka, Mae E
Hirata, Kaoru
Hirata, Mae K I
Horii, Paul
Horio, Lily Y
Hoshide, Mabel T
Ikeda, Nobuaki
Inouye, Chieko S
Ishizu, Toyoko K
Iwane, John Y
Jenkins, Betty K
Johnson, Lenore S
Johnson, Nellie S
Johnson, Rodney W
Jones, Rollin C
Kaneko, Larry H
Kaneoka, Ada
Kato, James H
Kawamoto, Bernice F
Keeler, Dorothy S
Kondo, Midori
Kono, Henry
Koseki, Jane N
Kotoshirodo, Jeanne
Kuriyama, Evelyn H
Kuwada, Gordon Y
Kuwada, Hajime
Lau, Beatrice W
Maeda, Lillian S
Maeda, Richard K
Maeshiro, Eileen M
Maeshiro, Melvin M
Manabe, Mary K
Miyahira, Toyoko J
Morikawa, Stanley T
Motobu, Chiemi I
Muraoka, Yaeko O
Nabeta, Nora
Naito, Alice L
Nakamura, Lillian M
Nakamura, Roy M
Ng, Sumiko M
Nohara, Janet K
Numata, June Y
Obata, John K
Oishi, Darrell M
Okamura, Miyoko I
Okino, Pearl M
Oshima, Stanley Y
Richman, Eugene
Shimabukuro, Betty Y
Smith, Nancy H
Sugita, Marie M
Taketa, Fujio
Tanaka, Helen S
Tanaka, Stella S
Taura, Jane H
Tinnel, Jeanette I
Tominaga, Lillian O
Tsuzaki, Ann C
Uchimura, Patsy H
Umeda, Karen K
Uyeda, Katherine H
Wall, Brendan
Watanabe, Herbert S
Yamamoto, Sueko I
Yamamoto, Tadashi
Yamanaka, Lillian A
Yeh, Yeong-Her
Yonamine, Patsy S
Yoshida, Elizabeth C
Yoshishige, Hiroko
You, Ayako Y
