Polynesian Cultural Center July 4th Celebration

The Polynesian Cultural Center (located at 55-370 Kamehameha Highway in Laie) joins with many around Hawai’i in the United States’ Independence Day festivities. In honor of recognizing those who give day in and day out for the betterment of our Hawai’i, they have extended an invitation to our members to come and enjoy the activities, games, food and retail vendors, entertainment, and especially the Fireworks Spectacular.

UHPA members are being offered the following discounts for their July 4th event:

  • Special $15 price for admission to the villages of the Polynesian Cultural Center (regular price is $64.95).
  • Special $15 price for their Island Buffet dinner served between 5 and 7 pm. A full family buffet with fresh fruits and salads, multitude of main dishes, a wide variety of desserts, as well as Pepsi fountain products.
  • Special $15 price for reserved seating in the 7:30 spectacular, Hā: Breath of Life. Be a part of the voyage of life as Mana navigates his journey from his birth, to the death of a loved one, to the birth of his own child. With this ticket purchase, guests will be able to enter a reserved standing area to view the Fireworks Spectacular, which will immediately follow Hā.

Guests may purchase any of the 3 offers above in any combination, but please note that only the Hā show ticket purchase will allow guests to access the reserved standing area for the fireworks viewing.

An UHPA member ID card holder may purchase up to 4 tickets per special, per ID. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended by calling (808)293-3333.

Interest-Free Loan for UH New Hires

The University of Hawai`i Federal Credit Union and UHPA have teamed up to offer you a UH New Hire Loan up to $5,000 at 0% APR to help cover moving costs and other expenses as you make the transition to your new position as a faculty or staff member of the UH System. Click here for more information on how to access this benefit.

Periodic Update on EUTF Operations – Investments and Claims Audit

From time to time, the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) will be providing updates to the Legislature.

EUTF Health Benefits Open Enrollment and Informational Sessions

One of the many valuable benefit programs negotiated by the employee organizations are the health benefit plans provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF). Each year, the EUTF conducts an annual open enrollment to provide updated information on various health plans being offered, as well as to provide opportunity for employees to meet with representatives from the various health providers. This year’s open enrollment will run from April 1 to April 29, 2016, at which time numerous informational sessions will be conducted throughout the State.

Please review open enrollment information and scheduled informational sessions.  There has been a change to one of the open enrollment sessions.  The session scheduled for Molokai on April 13, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances with the flights to and from Molokai.  There will only be one session on that day from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Kualapuu Park and Community Center.

AFL Scholarships for Children of Union Members

High School Seniors of UHPA Members are eligible to apply for one of the three annual scholarships offered by the Hawaii AFL-CIO.  UHPA is a member organization and supports these efforts.

HAWAII STATE AFL-CIO 2016 SCHOLARSHIPS
The Hawaii State AFL-CIO has established scholarships that will be awarded to students who are currently attending high school in the state of Hawaii and plan to pursue post-high school study on a full-time basis at a university, college, community college, vocational or trade school.

The following criteria will be used in determining the awarding of the scholarships.

1.    An essay of not more than 1000 words as to the importance of labor unions in Hawaii.  The essay may be written from a personal point of view or from a historical perspective.

2.    Completing a cover letter with relevant information: name, address, phone number, e-mail address and what type of school you plan to attend.

The scholarship is open to any graduating senior and having a family member in a union is not required.  There will be three scholarships awarded in the amount of $1500, $1000 and $500.

All submissions must be received or postmarked by Friday, April 22, 2016.  Applications can be sent by e-mail to: aflcioscholarship@gmail.com or by mail to: 345 Queen St., Suite 500, Honolulu, HI 96813.  Please direct all questions to Jason Bradshaw at 597-1441.

A decision will be made by Friday, May 6, 2016 and winners will be notified shortly thereafter.

Home Loan Program Offer for UHPA Members

The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly partners with HomeStreet Bank to offer Hometown Home Loan Programs. This program offers a wide selection of home loan options, whether you are buying your first home, refinancing or remodeling.  Click here for more information.

Losing EUTF Health Coverage in Summer 2014

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), sometimes referred to as “Obamacare”, requires individuals to have health insurance in 2014. Individuals without health coverage may be subject to a tax penalty.

Read more

UHPA Launches Endowment Honoring Botany Researcher

Dr. Ruth Lani Stemmermann was born in Hilo on September 7, 1952.  She spent her childhood years on the Big Island where she graduated from the Hawai‘i School of Girls in 1970. Her undergraduate studies took her to Pitzer College in Claremont, California where in 1974 she earned a B.A. degree in Botany. Upon her acceptance to the University of Hawai‘i for graduate studies in botany, she received a two-year research assistantship with Dr. C. H. Lamoureaux.  In 1976 she continued her graduate work as a teaching assistant in the UH Mānoa Botany Department.  Lani received her M.S. degree in Botanical Sciences for anatomical and taxonomic studies of Hawaiian sandalwood, and subsequently published two papers in Pacific Science as a result of her thesis work.

UH Professional Assembly Executive Director Dr. J. N. Musto said, “Over the years UHPA has made contributions to the UH Foundation in support of students and faculty, often in response to matching contributions made by faculty members to scholarships.” Musto continued, “This contribution reflects the wishes of David Duffy who has foregone a part-time paid leave of absence as UHPA President and requested that the funds be used to establish the Lani Stemmermann Endowment.  This truly represents an extraordinarily generous act by David, and an expression of collaboration between the Botany Department, the Dean, and the union.”

Civil Beat Offers 50% Discount to All .edu Email Users

This rate of $4.99 per month is roughly 50% off our regular rate of $9.99 per month. That comes out to about 17 cents per day! We’re very excited to be able to offer this low price as a 12-month prepaid subscription to our selected readers.

Click here to download the subscription form.  If you have any questions, please email becivil@civilbeat.com.