 | Driven by a deep passion for wildlife, this dedicated trio has become a lifeline for countless endangered species housed at the Honolulu Zoo. Meet Unit 13 members Laura Debnar, zoo general curator, alongside Dwain Uyeda and Kelly Reno, animal specialists. Together, they bring more than 40 combined years of experience advocating for animals and educating residents and visitors alike.
Mahalo for all that you do, Laura, Dwain, and Kelly. |
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Agent John Higgins Joins Panel Investigating HPD Vacancy Crisis |
Police Department Faces 35% Vacancy Rate for Dispatchers |
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| | | | A month after HGEA publicly called on the Honolulu City Council to expand its inquiry into police department vacancies to include civilian dispatchers, council members selected Union Agent John Higgins to sit on its 11-member panel to investigate the problem.
“Given HGEA members are on the front lines of public safety within the HPD — and the impact staffing levels have had on employee morale, retention, and service — it is wholly appropriate for their voices to be represented on the task force,” HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira said. |
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HELPING HAWAII BREATHE EASIER |
Celebrating 20 Years of Hawaii Tobacco Quitline |
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| Unit 13’s Amelia Arechy (far left) appeared on Hawaii News Now’s HI Now Daily to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline, which has helped 40,000 residents kick their habit through free services and treatments. Arechy, a youth coordinator in the Tobacco Prevention and Control Section of the state Department of Health, recalled one of her most memorable quit stories involving a kupuna who quit for the sake of her family. “With the money she saved, she was able to fly her grandkids over to visit her. She used the quit line to help her get there,” Arechy said. |
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2025 Makawao Stampede Queen & Board of Education Nominee |
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| | | | Congratulations to Zoe Asue, Unit 3 member and office assistant at Kalama Intermediate, for winning the 2025 Makawao Stampede Queen title.
Coming from a long line of prestigious paniolo on Maui, Zoe attended Columbia Basin Community College in Washington to study psychology and play soccer. She dreams of becoming a school counselor, using her life lessons she’s learned in rodeo and soccer to inspire our keiki.
“There’s always going to be a moment where you’re going to have to fall down and get back up, and that’s the lesson I had to learn growing up,” said Zoe. |
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| | | | Congratulations to Sylvia Lee, Retirees Unit member, on her appointment to the state Board of Education.
Sylvia has an impressive career in public service with the Department of Education — from adult education at McKinley to administrative roles in schools across the Big Island such as Honokaa High and Elementary, Hilo Intermediate, Keaau Elementary and Middle, Keeau High and Mountain View Elementary.
Mahalo to Sylvia for her lifelong work as an educator and dedication to Hawaii’s students. |
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Save on your next family outing with discounted movie tickets. |
| Volunteers needed. Beautify your local community garden on Saturday, Aug. 2. Shifts available. |
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| Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address. For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org. If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at (808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org. |
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