Aaron Kubo

Hilo social studies teacher Aaron Kubo recently began serving as the Hawaii State Teacher Association’s NEA director, the union’s representative to the National Education Association. He brings a wide variety of experience in education, ethnic diversity and labor relations to this position. Kubo grew up in Hilo on Hawaii Island and attended Waiakea elementary, intermediate and high schools. He is the son and nephew of educators who influenced him from a young age.

Kubo attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, majoring in political science and minoring in biology, also earning a certificate in Japanese. During his junior year, he studied abroad in Kobe, Japan at Konan University, completing a homestay for one year before eventually teaching in Japan for three years through the JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching) Program. He also spent time teaching abroad in South Korea and Hong Kong.

Kubo returned to the United States to earn his master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California. After graduate school, Kubo moved back to Hawaii and took several positions as a substitute teacher before stepping into his current role as a social studies teacher at Hilo Intermediate.

Kubo eventually achieved a social studies teaching position and started on his journey of becoming active within the HSTA, first starting as a faculty representative and APC (Association Policy Committee) member, then head faculty representative, a position which he still holds today. He became involved at the chapter level, serving as negotiations co-chair for six years, and Hilo Chapter vice president and Hilo’s Institute chair for two years.

Kubo became an English language learner trainer for the NEA and traveled to Chicago and Austin, Texas to help revamp some of the English learner modules, which are now online modules. He also joined the NEA’s Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus (APIC) to help end discrimination and champion improvements for members of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. He serves as the Hawaii regional director of the APIC.

Kubo campaigned in his Hilo Chapter and interacted with RAs across the state to help him achieve his position as NEA director. In his new role, Kubo’s goals include bringing more NEA visibility to HSTA members, uncovering issues and areas where HSTA members need help from the NEA, bridging together the national and state unions, and finding meaningful ways to engage with members.