HSTA Presidential Candidate Files TRO to Halt Re-Vote

A Complaint for Injunctive Relief and a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order has been filed by the lawyers for Corey Rosenlee, a Hawai’i Student Teacher Association board member and a candidate for the HSTA president seat.

The motion hopes to bring the June 2 HSTA election to a stop.

In addition, Rosenlee says he is putting pressure on the HSTA to “accept the results of a prior election that was held from April 13-24, which was certified by the HSTA’s Election Committee; and to disclose information on recent actions taken by the HSTA’s Board that he has been denied despite the fact that he is a current Director of the HSTA.”

Along with Rosenlee, Justin Hughey and Amy Perruso, President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively, won the original election and runoff for the Vice President’s race by margins according to previous documentation by Rosenlee.

In his Wednesday complaint, Rosenlee outlines that the HSTA Board illegally voted to reject the result of the election after already knowing the outcome.

Rosenlee alleges that had Joan Lewis and Colleen Pasco, candidates for the President and Vice President office, respectively, recused themselves from voting, the election results and the decision to reject the election results would have different. He says that both Lewis and Pasco were required to recuse themselves, according to the HSTA bylaws.

“As the HSTA’s President-Elect, it pains me to have to sue my own union, but the integrity of the HSTA is at stake and going to court is our only recourse to protect the decision of the majority of HSTA’s members,” Rosenlee said in a statement.

According to Rosenlee, he has attempted to discuss his concerns with HSTA leaders. “The only response we received was that the HSTA leadership, including its Executive Director, Wilbur Holck, and its attorney, Colleen Hanabusa, were not available to meet with us or even talk to us over the phone.”

Circuit Court Judge Gary Chang is expected to rule on the TRO Motion later during the week.