UHPA Continued Support of Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke

News Release from UHPA, March 16, 2026

When we make an error, we own up to it, course correct, and move forward. This is what integrity looks like.

Integrity in action is infrequent so it is refreshing and welcoming to see this when it does happen. Some who are unaccustomed to that degree of honesty and transparency do not know how to interpret such candid disclosures.

We watched this unfold during the recent self-disclosures by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke about campaign contribution recording errors, which were corrected with an amended filing submitted to the Hawai‘i Campaign Spending Commission. Lt. Gov. Luke also announced her resolve to avoid the same mistakes by contracting a professional team to manage those meticulous details, some of which has already begun to take place.

Any candidate in a major race with an influx of contributions from multiple donors knows this can happen to anyone, and filing amendments is part of the check and balance process.  

Separately, we also witnessed the second in command of our state publicly share that she did not accept any bribes. We believe her. 

LG Luke has a long-standing track record as a no-nonsense, straight-shooting legislator and former chair for the House Finance Committee, and there is no reason to believe she is not being truthful with the public.

University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) faculty members are not politically naïve. We recognize there are many opportunistic and politically ambitious individuals who will take advantage of this situation and declare their intention to run for Lieutenant Governor. Anyone can run, but we urge caution to ensure good politicians are not unfairly alienated. 

We are glad Gov. Josh Green and State Attorney General Anne Lopez are committed to completing a thorough investigation into this issue within the next few weeks. This will help address the community’s concerns and put to rest any lingering questions about what may have happened and who may have been involved. It is information that voters deserve to have and will be key to restoring public trust of elected government officials.

UHPA’s continued support of the Lt. Governor reflects our commitment to sound government, and we stand in solidarity with other unions who share these values. On June 19, 2025, the UHPA Board of Directors unanimously approved its Legislative Action Committee's recommendation to endorse Sylvia Luke for another run and term for Lt. Governor in 2026.  That action of the Board remains unchanged and unaffected.

Recent events have highlighted actions by certain public officials that have not advanced the best interests of the University of Hawaiʻi nor our State as a whole.  In response, it is important that UHPA remains focused on building relationships with and supporting public officials who have consistently recognized the value of the University and have supported its mission, its people, and its vital role in serving Hawaiʻi with integrity, dignity, and respect.

What happens over the next few weeks and months will allow us to see what Hawai‘i is made of. Can we rise to the challenges that are presented to us to uphold democracy at a time when our country so desperately needs this? Or will we succumb to the current state of politics as usual and wonder why voter apathy plagues our state? 

Karla Hayashi

UHPA Board President

Christian L. Fern

UHPA Executive Director

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HSTA issues statement supporting Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke

She’s praised for being ‘a strong advocate for Hawaiʻi’s public schools’

News Release from HSTA, March 4, 2026

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association Board of Directors, made up of elected educator volunteers from across the islands, on Saturday authorized the following supportive statement regarding Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke which asks the public to hold judgment until the state Attorney General’s investigation is complete.

In doing so, the HSTA joins our union siblings from several other major Hawaiʻi unions in issuing statements backing Luke, including the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU Local 142) and the United Public Workers (UPW).

Here is HSTA’s statement:

In this age where political corruption and cronyism are now commonplace in daily national headlines, it’s important that we be vigilant about weeding these things out at all levels. However, pursuing political witch hunts that attempt to vilify government officials based on manufactured outrage and unfounded rumors is not an appropriate way to exercise vigilance.

There is no doubt that Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke has made a few mistakes related to past campaign donations – mistakes she has forthrightly come forward about. As educators, we often teach by pointing out mistakes and ensuring that our keiki learn from them and grow. We have no doubt that the lieutenant governor is learning a hard lesson, but also that she has the potential to grow stronger and wiser from this experience.

This process has been extremely frustrating to witness and has provided fodder for media outlets to sensationalize. The timeline has not been of Sylvia Luke’s making. In the political arena, claws come out at every misstep, and this situation presents a prime opportunity for others to slash at the lieutenant governor with the hopes of smearing both her name and reputation and taking her down. We are also not ignorant of the fact that one of the legislators who accepted lavish gifts was also desperate to try to bring someone else down to reduce his own sentence.

Sylvia Luke has been and continues to be a fighter – a champion for those who wouldn’t otherwise have a voice. Raised in a humble immigrant family and educated in public schools, she has shown that the American Dream is within reach for any of our keiki who aspire to achieve great things.

She is an imperfect human being, as we all are, not willing to give up on her American dream, and she will not let others take her down as they salivate at the thought of smearing her out of office.

Sylvia Luke continues to do great things. Families struggle to afford childcare in an increasingly unaffordable Hawaiʻi. The lieutenant governor took the issue head-on with her Ready Keiki initiative and has now opened over 100 public pre-kindergarten classrooms throughout the state. This has directly benefited thousands of families and is an important investment in our state’s future.

At the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Sylvia Luke saw the state’s slow, bumbling response to the massive unemployment crisis affecting our heavily tourism-dependent economy. She spearheaded the effort to quickly stand up a massive processing center at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center to more quickly address mounting claims and bring relief to thousands desperate to just get by during those difficult times.

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association believes in the principle of innocent until proven guilty and we stand by Sylvia Luke as the investigative process continues. We ask that the public not buy into the hysteria and hype without solid facts. Until then, we applaud the lieutenant governor as she continues to be a strong advocate for Hawaiʻi’s public schools and helps to achieve our goal of providing our communities the schools our keiki deserve.

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ILWU and UPW support Luke BECAUSE she is corrupt ....

UPW Statement in Support of Lt Governor Sylvia Luke

News Release from UPW, Feb 14, 2026

United Public Workers (UPW), AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO supports Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke and believes deeply in fairness, due process and respect for the facts. In times like these, it is essential that we allow the appropriate processes to move forward without rushing to judgment or drawing conclusions before all information is fully reviewed.

Lt. Governor Luke has spent her career serving the people of Hawai‘i and advocating for policies that strengthen our communities and support working families. She has been a consistent and respected leader with a demonstrated commitment to public service.

UPW stands with Lt. Governor Luke today, just as she has stood with working people throughout her career. We remain confident in her commitment to Hawai‘i and will continue to support her as this process moves forward.

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ILWU Local 142 Standing for Fairness, Due Process, and Truth

Statement in Support of Lt Gov Sylvia Luke

News Release from ILWU, Feb 12, 2026

We stand in support of Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke as the current accusations are reviewed through the appropriate process.

Sylvia Luke has dedicated her career to public service and to strengthening Hawai‘i’s communities. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated steady leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to the working class families of Hawai'i.

While any allegation deserves to be taken seriously and examined thoroughly, it is equally important that fairness, due process, and facts—not speculation—guide public judgment.

We believe in allowing the proper review to proceed without rushing to conclusions. Leadership is measured not only in moments of success, but also in how challenges are faced—with transparency, accountability, and respect for the truth.

We remain confident in Sylvia Luke’s commitment to serving Hawai‘i, and the ILWU will continue to support her as this process unfolds.