Teachers elect new HSTA leader

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

A student services coordinator at Dole Middle School was elected the new head of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association yesterday, ousting incumbent Karen Ginoza, who was seeking her third term as president.

Roger Takabayashi will serve his first term as president of the association that represents more than 13,000 public school teachers statewide, beginning July 8.

Takabayashi defeated Ginoza in a runoff, which was held because none of the three candidates, including Albert Ferreira of Hilo, received a majority of the votes cast in an election held earlier this year. HSTA's board of directors certified the results yesterday.

"I'm very excited," said Takabayashi, 55, of Kalihi. "I want to thank all my supporters."

He is a former HSTA vice president, secretary-treasurer and member of its board of directors.

Ginoza said the election is an example of how HSTA conducts its business — "in a very open and democratic way," she said.

"I wish him well," Ginoza said. "I will work to make the transition as smooth as possible for him as he takes on this very big task."

Ginoza said the recent teachers strike and contract settlements have been difficult, and she said she doesn't know whether such issues hurt her chances for re-election.

"I've gone through with the teachers very difficult times, so it's very hard to say what the sense (is)," Ginoza said. "Obviously, teachers have said they would like change."

During Ginoza's presidency, teachers staged a three-week strike in 2001.

Takabayashi said one of his main goals over the next three years is to "bring pride back to public schools and public education."

"There are wonderful teachers out there and I think they should be recognized for all the wonderful things that they do," he said. "I want HSTA to be looked upon as a leader in education and education reform. We will try not to be a roadblock to any reform."

Takabayashi's duties as president will include overseeing the governance operations of the union, serving as its chief spokesman and presiding over the board of directors.

As the Hawai'i affiliate of the 2.6-million member National Education Association, HSTA assists teachers with collective bargaining, legislative and professional development issues.

After Ginoza finishes her term as president, she said she intends to go back to teaching special education.

"I will still continue to work to make, really, education and teaching better for everyone," Ginoza said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.