Joan Takano works in Honolulu, Hawaii, as a Field Support Specialist for the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA), AFSCME Local 152, Hawaii's largest union with more than 44,000 members. Joan began her involvement in the labor movement as a clerk-typist with the City and County of Honolulu and HGEA steward.
HGEA represents workers in state and county government, schools and the University of Hawaii system -- including blue-collar supervisors; white-collar employees; registered nurses; administrative, professional, technical and scientific employees; and educational officers; and serves a large and diverse associate membership.
Prior to joining HGEA in 2001 as a union agent, she served as Oahu's AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison. Joan is responsible for collaborating with union rank-and-file, leaders and staff to coordinate and develop educational and training programs and materials to increase union member involvement. As President of the Hawaii Chapter of APALA she serves on the Executive Board of the Hawaii State AFL-CIO.