The UHPA has been the exclusive bargaining agent for all faculty members of the University System since November 1, 1974. The UH System is governed by one Board of Regents and includes six Community Colleges, UH-Hilo, UH-Manoa, UH-Maui College and UH-West Oahu.

All public employees in the State of Hawaii who are faculty members of the University of Hawaii System, which includes the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the University of Hawaii at West Oahu, the University of Hawaii – Maui College, Hawaii Community College, Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, Kauai Community College, Leeward Community College, and Windward Community College are members of Bargaining Unit 7.  They consist of lecturers, instructors, professors, librarians, specialists, extension agents, and researchers.

One of the most important functions of UHPA is the negotiation of the faculty contract.  The second important function is to ensure that the terms of the contract are enforced and the rights of faculty members are protected.