A MESSAGE FROM THE HAWAI'I STATE PTSA PRESIDENT, MARISSA BAPTISTA:
President's 2026 Convention Program Message
Aloha and welcome to the 98th Annual Hawaiʻi State PTSA Convention!
Mahalo for joining us as we celebrate a remarkable milestone - 100 years of Hawaiʻi State PTSA. For a century, PTA leaders, members, educators, students, and community partners have worked together to strengthen public education, support families, and advocate for Hawaiʻi's keiki. Every one of you has helped shape this legacy of service.
Over the past 100 years, education in Hawaiʻi has evolved alongside our communities. Through times of growth, challenge, and change, Hawaiʻi State PTSA has embraced its kuleana (responsibility) to mālama (care for) every child by bringing families, schools, and communities together with one voice.
While we celebrate our history, our work is far from over. Today's children face challenges that previous generations could never have imagined, from artificial intelligence and rapidly changing technology to youth vaping, mental health concerns, rising educational costs, and increasing financial pressures on families. As these challenges continue to evolve, so must our commitment to advocating for every child.
That is why PTA's mission remains as important today as it was 100 years ago: to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. You are the heart of that mission. YOU are PTA. Through your service, leadership, and advocacy, you empower families, strengthen schools, and create brighter futures for Hawaiʻi's keiki.
Your Hawaiʻi State PTSA Board of Directors remains committed to representing and advocating for our local units at the state and national levels—working with legislators, education leaders, community partners, and National PTA to ensure the voices of our members are heard. I often say the "A" in PTA also stands for Advocacy, and we are honored to carry that responsibility on behalf of the keiki, ‘Ohana, and communities we serve.
Mahalo for spending today with us. We hope the day's keynote, general sessions, and workshops inspire new ideas, strengthen your leadership, and provide practical tools you can take back to your local PTA/PTSA units. Together, let's continue building on the foundation of the past 100 years as we prepare for the next century of service.
With gratitude and aloha,
Marissa Elizabeth Kuʻuipo Baptista
President, Hawaiʻi State PTSA
Mahalo for joining us as we celebrate a remarkable milestone - 100 years of Hawaiʻi State PTSA. For a century, PTA leaders, members, educators, students, and community partners have worked together to strengthen public education, support families, and advocate for Hawaiʻi's keiki. Every one of you has helped shape this legacy of service.
Over the past 100 years, education in Hawaiʻi has evolved alongside our communities. Through times of growth, challenge, and change, Hawaiʻi State PTSA has embraced its kuleana (responsibility) to mālama (care for) every child by bringing families, schools, and communities together with one voice.
While we celebrate our history, our work is far from over. Today's children face challenges that previous generations could never have imagined, from artificial intelligence and rapidly changing technology to youth vaping, mental health concerns, rising educational costs, and increasing financial pressures on families. As these challenges continue to evolve, so must our commitment to advocating for every child.
That is why PTA's mission remains as important today as it was 100 years ago: to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. You are the heart of that mission. YOU are PTA. Through your service, leadership, and advocacy, you empower families, strengthen schools, and create brighter futures for Hawaiʻi's keiki.
Your Hawaiʻi State PTSA Board of Directors remains committed to representing and advocating for our local units at the state and national levels—working with legislators, education leaders, community partners, and National PTA to ensure the voices of our members are heard. I often say the "A" in PTA also stands for Advocacy, and we are honored to carry that responsibility on behalf of the keiki, ‘Ohana, and communities we serve.
Mahalo for spending today with us. We hope the day's keynote, general sessions, and workshops inspire new ideas, strengthen your leadership, and provide practical tools you can take back to your local PTA/PTSA units. Together, let's continue building on the foundation of the past 100 years as we prepare for the next century of service.
With gratitude and aloha,
Marissa Elizabeth Kuʻuipo Baptista
President, Hawaiʻi State PTSA