About Us

This Faculty Votes website is sponsored by the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA), which is composed of nearly 4,000 professors, researchers, instructors, librarians, specialists, and extension agents, all deeply committed to their role in advancing higher education in the State of Hawaii. UHPA has been the exclusive bargaining agent for all University of Hawaii faculty members (Bargaining Unit 7) since November 1, 1974.

The University of Hawaii System consists of 10 campuses, including seven community colleges: University of Hawaii at Manoa, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the University of Hawaii at West Oahu, Hawaii Community College, Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, Kauai Community College, Leeward Community College, Maui Community College, and Windward Community College.

One of the most important functions of UHPA is the negotiation of the faculty contract. The second important function is to ensure that the terms of the contract are enforced and the rights of faculty members are protected. These help to ensure the University of Hawaii system can carry out its mission of providing top-tier research and quality public higher education for students as they prepare to take their place in the workforce or to their pursue advanced studies.

For more information about UHPA, click on www.uhpa.org.

About the UHPA Political Endorsement Committee

The UHPA Political Endorsement Committee members are keenly aware of the seamless connection between quality education, enforcement of faculty contract rights, and political elections. The needs of UH faculty depend largely on government funding. The Hawaii legislature must approve budgets for allocations that directly affect faculty salaries, new job positions, and funds for health insurance coverage and other benefits.  The Governor also plays a critical role at the collective bargaining table, and ultimately, signs off on faculty contracts.  It is imperative for faculty to be politically engaged.

The committee, composed of UHPA board members, reviews and identifies candidates in state and federal races that understand the value of public higher education. These candidates must have the courage to make decisions that support faculty in research, instruction, and support services for students. The Political Action Committee is responsible for presenting recommendations for candidate endorsements to the UHPA Board of Directors, which then votes on the endorsements.