House Committee on Finance Friday, February 27, 2015 11:00 a.m. HB 1509, HD2, Relating to Energy. Dear Chairperson Luke and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly enthusiastically supports passage of this bill as a creative way to address energy needs of the University of Hawaii and the renovation of its deteriorating buildings and infrastructures. This has never been a greater win-win situation for the University for its cause and independence. Respectively submitted, Kristeen Hanselman Associate Executive Director

The House Committee on Finance Thursday, February 26, 2015 3:00 p.m. HB 553, HD 1, Relating to Collective Bargaining. Dear Chairperson Luke and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly urges the committee to support passage of this proposed measure by amendments to the Hawaii Revised Statues Chapter 90 that will advance the interests of graduate assistants. These employees are essential to instruction and research that contribute to the overall success of the University of Hawaii. Graduate Assistances are employees in [...]

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means Wednesday, February 25, 2015 9:00 a.m. SB 638, Relating to Collective Bargaining. Dear Chairperson Tokuda and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly urges the committee to support passage of this proposed measure by amendments to the Hawaii Revised Statues Chapter 90 that will advance the interests of graduate assistants. These employees are essential to instruction and research that contribute to the overall success of the University of Hawaii. Graduate Assistances are employees in [...]

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor Thursday, February 19, 2015 9:00 a.m. GM 536, Submitting for consideration and confirmation as the Deputy Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Gubernatorial Nominee, LEONARD HOSHIJO, for a term to expire 12-3-2018. Dear Chairman Keith-Agaran and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly supports the appointment and confirmation of Mr. Leonard Hoshijo as Deputy Director of the Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. UHPA staff and leaders have had [...]

House Committee on Labor & Public Employment Friday, February 13, 2015 9:30 a.m. HB 684, Relating to Employment. Dear Chairman Nakashima and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly opposes this proposed measure. The consequences of implementation will diminish currently held rights to seek redress for victims of workplace harassment whether it is based on sex, race or religion. The measure would allow employers to avoid their responsibility for the behavior of their supervisory employees. This rolls back the protections afforded [...]

House Committee on Labor & Public Employment Friday, February 13, 2015 9:30 a.m. HB 602, Relating to Unfunded Liabilities. Dear Chairman Nakashima and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly opposes this measure. It is unnecessary and undermines activities already implemented by the Employee Retirement System to address unfunded liabilities. UHPA encourage the Committee to defer this measure. Respectively submitted, Kristeen Hanselman Associate Executive Director

The House Committee on Higher Education Thursday, February 12, 2015 2:03 p.m. HB 553, HD 1, Relating to Collective Bargaining. Dear Chairman Choy and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly urges the committee to support passage of this proposed measure by amendments to the Hawaii Revised Statues Chapter 90 that will advance the interests of graduate assistants. These employees are essential to instruction and research that contribute to the overall success of the University of Hawaii. Graduate Assistances are employees [...]

House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection Tuesday, February 10, 2015 8:30 a.m. HB 1511, Relating to the Employees’ Retirement System. Dear Chairman Lee and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly opposes proposed measure HB 1511. The measure which seeks divestiture of investments in fossil fuel companies does not advance the interests of public employees. To the contrary, the Employee Retirement System already bases its investment decision on policy that recognizes socially-responsible considerations. The impact of divestiture is unknown and [...]

House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection Tuesday, February 10, 2015 8:30 a.m. HB 1509, HD1 (Proposed), Relating to Energy. Dear Chairman Lee and Committee Members: The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly enthusiastically supports passage of this bill as a creative way to address energy needs of the University of Hawaii and the renovation of its deteriorating buildings and infrastructures. This has never been a greater win-win situation for the University for its cause and independence. Respectively submitted, J.N. Musto, Ph.D. Executive [...]