News Archive
New State Board of Directors Sworn In
July 30, 2025
State Board President Ginet Hayes, a Unit 13 member, challenged the recently elected HGEA State Board of Directors to commit to growing and strengthening the union for the future. Her remarks occurred during the board’s orientation and swearing in on Friday, July 25, marking the beginning of the 2025-2027 term.
“To our younger leaders – it is your time to help us shape what HGEA will need to become,” Hayes said. “How do you see yourself contributing to the continuity and sustained growth of our union to see it thrive past 2025?”
With eyes toward the future, board members heard from Executive Director Randy Perreira, who stressed the need to get organized as anti-union extremists in charge of the federal government take a chain saw to Medicaid, SNAP and other benefits working people rely on. The federal cuts, he said, will cause a ripple effect through other parts of the state budget.
“We are not isolated from what is happening in Washington, D.C. We will see an impact here at home, and it is already starting,” Perreira said.
The board approved its new officers, which include Vice President James Sunday of Unit 6, Secretary Jojo Kawana of Unit 9, and Treasurer Bennett Yap of Unit 13. See the full list of new board members. Their term runs through June 30, 2027.