2025 HLA Spring MeetingSaturday, May 31, 2025 from 11am-3pm
Platform: Zoom Cost: FREE. [If your membership isn't current, please consider Joining/Renewing Now.] 
This Year's Theme
Harnessing Our Power as Information Workers The 2025 HLA Spring Meeting harkens back to Hawaiʻi's labor history, when ordinary, everyday, working people found common ground when they were divided. They developed ways to connect and generate their own power across different industrial sectors. Through their strategy, they were heard by decision makers and realized inclusivity and fair opportunity for more people, in the economy, government, and society. What are your thoughts on where we are today? How are library workers, as part of the education sector, doing? How are the foundational values of our profession--such as intellectual freedom, diverse thought, and public educational opportunity--holding up? This meeting will illuminate how Hawaiʻi’s school, academic, and public library ecosystems are configured, in order to map the power we have as information workers. But there is another kind of power that is beyond our control, but profoundly impacts what we do. Library workers will engage in dialogue with union representatives, to understand how communication and strategy can be used to leverage our power as a profession. |
Schedule PANEL 1: Mapping Library Ecosystems: A Workshop
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About the Panelists and Speakers
Ellen-Rae Cachola |
Ellen-Rae Cachola is the Public Services Evening Supervisor and Archives Manager at the William S. Richardson School of Law Library. She received her PhD in Information Studies, specializing in Archival Studies, from UCLA, and a MLISc from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library and Information Science Program. Ellen-Rae also lectures for the Department of Ethnic Studies at UH Mānoa. Ellen-Rae specializes in Hawaiʻi government history and social movements; she has built archival collections, exhibitions, and instructional courses to express her knowledge on these topics.
As the current Vice President of the Hawaiʻi Library Association, Ellen-Rae conceived of this Spring Meeting theme. By reflecting on our workplaces and dialoguing with our unions, how can we interconnect and empower the myriad roles that Hawaiʻi library workers play in safeguarding democracy, diverse thought, and public education? The current political climate challenges the core values of our profession. While we will continue to reach out to our government representatives, what else can we do at our local level, to make sure that we continue our work with integrity and purpose? |
Stacey Aldrich
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Stacey Aldrich is the State Librarian of the Hawaiʻi State Public LIbrary System. She manages 51 branch libraries across Hawaiʻi. Stacey brings past work experience as the State Librarian of California and the Deputy Secretary for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania. Stacey collaborated with Hawaiʻi’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Health and the Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center at the University of Hawai’i, to pave the way for increased digital and telehealth literacy across our public libraries. Stacey was selected by Library Journal as one of the top fifty-five professionals shaping the future of libraries. She was also awarded the Link America’s Foundation Knowledge Award for her vision and leadership in the area of digital literacy.
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Tai arakawa
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Tai Arakawa is the Nursing & Health Professions/Business librarian at the Sullivan Family Library, Chaminade University. Tai also serves as the Secretary for HLA. In addition to her Masters in Library Science, Tai is trained in biological anthropology and Japanese history. She is a lover of books and of tea.
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Kelly ann deluna campbell
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Kelly Ann DeLuna Campbell is the Access Services Librarian at the Edwin H. Mookini Library at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, and the current President of the Hawaiʻi Library Association. A Filipina-American, KelIy was born and raised on the island of Guåhan and moved to the island of Oʻahu to pursue college. She has almost a decade of experience in public libraries. Her professional interests include teen services, higher education services, preservation, and collection development. Her hobbies include reading graphic novels and playing video games. Kelly is also a member of the American Library Association, the Association of College and Research Libraries, and the Young Adult Library Services Association.
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Andrea eshelman
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Andrea Eshelman is a passionate education advocate and former teacher with extensive experience in labor relations, public policy, and strategic planning. As the Deputy Executive Director and Chief Negotiator for the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association (HSTA) since 2015, she has been a leading voice for public school teachers in negotiations with the State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Education (HIDOE), and Public Charter Schools overseeing HSTA field operations, contract enforcement, and negotiations for the statewide collective bargaining agreement.
Andrea also serves on various advisory groups and boards related to education and labor relations, and regularly addresses students of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Education on legal and ethical issues regarding educator use of technology and civil rights. Andrea is a graduate of Leilehua High School. She holds a Bachelor's in Education, History, and Social Science from Fayetteville State University and a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law, recently publishing the award-winning law review article - Hawaiian Education in Hawaiʻi’s Public Schools: A Path to Reasonable Access Her expertise in this area continues through her work on the Hawaiʻi Statewide Strategic Planning Workgroup for Kaiapuni Education, advocating for culturally responsive education. |
meera garud
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Meera Garud is Instructor at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and co-chair of the HLA Advocacy Committee. Meera is also a member of the Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians and has experience engaging the Hawaiʻi State Legislature with various bills related to school and other types of libraries. Her focus is on understanding how educators can help students graduate high school while preparing them for college and career success. She earned her MLISc from UH Mānoa and BA from UC Berkeley.
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jessica gleason
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Jessica Gleason is the Wailuku Public Library Bookmobile Librarian and has experience as a Hawaiʻi Government Employee Association (HGEA) Steward. Jessica is the 2025 recipient of the “I Love my Librarian Award” for her work using the Holoholo Bookmobile to serve the literacy needs of the people of Lahaina, after the aftermath of the devastating wildfires. The bookmobile also visits senior housing, Head Start preschools and traveling preschools. Prior to this position, Jessica served as the Branch Manager for the Kihei Public Library, and as a Library Assistant III with the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System. Through the encouragement of other HGEA Unit 13 librarians, she pursued and earned an MLISc from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
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brian huffman
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Brian Huffman is the Electronic Services Librarian V at the William S. Richardson School of Law Library. He also serves as the University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly (UHPA) Faculty Representative for the Law School. Before becoming a law librarian, Brian practiced law in the areas of family law, immigration, and estate planning; he is admitted to the Minnesota and Federal bars. Some of the memberships and professional organizations he served in include the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), Minnesota Association of Law Libraries (MALL), and WestPac. He also served as the past President of the Western Pacific Chapter of the AALL (WestPac) and past President of the Hawaiʻi Library Association.
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krystal kakimoto
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Krystal Kakimoto is the Bishop Museum Library & Archives Reference Librarian and ALA Chapter Councilor for Hawaiʻi. Within HLA, she is also the co-chair of the Legislative Advocacy Committee. In addition to engaging the Hawaiʻi State Legislature on various bills related to libraries, Krystal helped to lead “Love My Library Days” where librarians engage in public actions, like keiki activities and sign waving, to build community relations and support. Krystal is also a certified wine and food journalist writing for publications like Savvy 360, bringing textual and gastronomical literacy to historical and present day foodways. Krystal earned her MLISc from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Masters of Business Administration and Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from Chaminade University.
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kelly mcelroy
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Kelly McElroy is the Student Engagement and Community Outreach Librarian at Oregon State University Libraries and Press, Corvallis. She is co-author of the book Organize Your Library! Developing the Collective Power of Library Workers, along with Angelo Moreno, Meredith Kahn, and Emily Drabinski. Kelly helped to organize the faculty union at Oregon State University and served on the bargaining team, including as lead negotiator and executive vice president. Reflecting on her experience in the unionization process at Oregon State University, Kelly co-wrote the article “Solidarity is for Librarians: Lessons from Organizing,” with Diana Castillo.
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diane mokuau
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Diane Mokuau is the Molokaʻi High School Librarian and Negotiations Chair for the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association (HSTA). As a school librarian, Diane continues to advance the literacy of Molokaʻi students with the latest available technology, and comprehensive & thorough library collection maintenance and teen-centered spaces. Acknowledging the lack of certified librarians on Molokai, Diane created The Molokai Library Services Cadre (MLSC), an island-wide network of librarians and library assistants. Through her work, Diane garnered multiple awards, such as the 2016 Golden Key award from the Hawaiʻi State Association of School Libraries, 2019 National Education Association Foundations Hawaiʻi Teacher of the Year, 2019 S.T.A.C.Y. Award for Teaching Excellence from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, and 2021 School Library Journalʻs 2021 School LIbrarian of the Year.
Diane also serves as secretary of the HSTA’s Molokai chapter. In a past statement, HSTA President Osa Tui Jr. said: "...Diane has put her organizing into action for her community. She also advocates for non-classroom teachers and rural school faculties and the challenges faced by both of those constituencies. She has worked hard to ensure that her library is well utilized, often operating at maximum capacity. Her acquisitions over the years of various technology and customized resources help to ensure that student literacy is improved and sustained and can target all levels of students throughout her school." |
angelo moreno
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Angelo Moreno is an organizer for AFSCME Council 31 in Chicago, Illinois. Before that, he was the Interim Library Director and Adult Services Librarian at the East Lansing Public Library in Michigan. He started his library career as a library page, then as a branch manager, serving the literacy needs of his diverse community, such as retirees, teens, and the Latinx community. At East Lansing Public Library, Angelo collaborated with the United Auto Workers union to organize his co-workers and successfully won wage increases and job protections for part-time, low wage, precarious staff. Drawing from his experiences as a librarian, union chair, and bargaining committee member, Angelo co-authored Organize Your Library! Developing the Collective Power of Library Workers, along with Kelly McElroy, Meredith Kahn, and Emily Drabinski. He earned a Master of Library and Information Science Degree from Wayne State University.
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sunyeen "sunny" pai
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Sunyeen “Sunny” Pai is the former Digital Initiatives Librarian from Kapiʻolani Community College and the 2024 President of the Hawaiʻi Library Association. Sunny specialized in open access institutional repositories and open education resources. Sunny received a Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Hawaiʻi, master’s degrees in Library and Information Sciences and in Systems Management, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Sunny was born in Hawaiʻi and has lived in Asia, South America, North America, and Europe.
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matthew reiter
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Matthew Reiter is the Education and Training Specialist at Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association (HGEA). In this role he helps train members on their contracts and fair treatment at the workplace, as well as ways they can take ownership of their union. Matthew has previous experience working for unions on the mainland, including Wisconsin where he helped rebuild his teachers’ union after they lost collective bargaining rights in 2011. He earned his PhD in History from the University of Wisconsin in 2018 with a focus on the rise of right wing politics in America.
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