Takao Ito, educator, HGEA Unit 6 pioneer, dies

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Takao Ito was a public school educator, administrator and prominent union leader in Hawai'i.

He died June 6 at age 82.

As a major player in a significant 1970 vote that boosted the Hawai'i Government Employees Association into local prominence, Ito advocated that principals, vice principals and other educational officers form their own union, separate from teachers.

Paul Kobayashi, retiring principal of Wahiawa Community School, recalled how he and Ito convinced their membership to split from the teacher-dominated Hawai'i Education Association.

"Takao was talking to the elementary principals and I was talking to the secondary principals," Kobayashi said. "We realized there had to be a break from teachers because our roles and functions are different."

With the passage of the collective bargaining law in 1970, the principals and vice principals became the first group to elect an exclusive representative. The HGEA won the vote, 307-250.

"The Unit 6 victory was HGEA's first and heralded what was to come," HGEA Executive Director Russell Okata said.

"Today, HGEA represents seven bargaining units and a total of 42,496 active and associate members," Okata said. "We are Takao's legacy."

A 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran from Pa'ia, Maui, Ito served as HGEA president from 1974-78.

The Maui High and University of Hawai'i graduate began teaching in February 1953. He became a school principal in 1958.

Ito is survived by June, his wife of nearly 24 years; sons Dr. Thomas, Alvin and Peter; daughters Marilynn Ito-Won, Cathy Mochizuki and Yvette Muta; brother George, and five grandchildren.

Service is at 6 p.m. Friday at Hosoi Mortuary. Casual attire.