HSTA announces recommendations for Hawaii State House and Senate primary races

News Release from HSTA, May 20, 2016

Honolulu, Hawaii - The Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) today announced its recommendations for Hawaii State House and Senate candidates in the upcoming 2016 primary election.

“After many committee discussions, interviews and extensive research on the House and Senate seats up for re-election this year, the HSTA Board of Directors has agreed to recommend the following candidates who have been strong supporters of public education and are committed to creating a better future for our keiki,” said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee.

The HSTA recommends the following candidates:

Hawaii State House of Representatives

Hawaii State Senate

“The HSTA is proud to recommend these candidates and would like to thank all of the lawmakers who listened to teachers’ voices during the 2016 legislative session and helped improve public education and the learning environment for Hawaii’s students,” Rosenlee said. “This session resulted in $100 million for cooler schools as well as additional funding for classroom supplies. As we move forward we will continue to make education a priority to improve Hawaii’s public school system.”

The primary election will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. Polling places across the state will open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day.

To register to vote, find your polling place and other election information, go to  http://elections.hawaii.gov/.

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COOL OUR KEIKI supports Jaci Agustin for House District 34

From Cool our Keiki, May 22, 2016

I saw today in the Hawai'i Free Press that the HSTA (Hawai'i State Teachers Association) union has endorsed Gregg Takayama for the Hawaii State House of Representatives District 34 race (Pearl City, Waimalu and Pacific Palisades). This is a travesty and, from what I understand, HSTA has made a selection without hearing from both Candidates.

Jaci Agustin,who is Takayama’s opponent, has been an active supporter of Cool Our Keiki from the very beginning. Jaci and her team have been at the State Capitol with us, on the sign waving line and have been vocal in their support of our keiki, our schools and our teachers. She held an extremely successful fan drive for her community. No elected official or individual wanting to be elected has done more for Cool Our Keiki than Jaci Agustin.

Takayama has done nothing. He never called, never supported our social media campaign and never showed up at a rally – not one minute of his time to support our efforts and now the HSTA wants Cool Our Keiki to support him – that is not going to happen.

Let it be known COOL OUR KEIKI, supports Jaci Agustin to be elected to the Hawai'i State House of Representatives from Pearl City, Waimalu and Pacific Palisades and we will do all we can during this election cycle to demonstrate that support. We invite all teachers and parents that have met Jaci and know her heart toward our keiki to step up and demonstrate that support. Her Facebook page is Jaci Agustin for House 34 – please feel free to like her page. Her web page is www.jaciagustin.com.

It is not about party affiliation. Democrat or Republican, if you support our teachers and keiki you deserve our support as well. COOL OUR KEIKI members are encouraged to stand and support those that did the same for us in the heat of last summer and well into the legislative session – Jaci Agustin was at the front of the line.

Mahalo for your consideration. The keiki and teachers deserve the best! Keep up the fight to cool our Keiki!

With Aloha,
Gigi Jones

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