This collection was donated and possibly created by Nina Horio, previous president of UHPA. Background of organization: In 1970 the state legislature passed ACT 171 that allowed public employees to form unions. The faculty of the University of Hawaii had to choose from various entities for representation (American Association of University Proffessors (AAUP), Hawai'i Government employees Association (HGEA), College and University Professional Association (CUPA) and Hawai'i Education Association/National Education Association (HEA/NEA). In 1974 the members voted to create a new entity the University of Hawai'i Professional Assembly or UHPA. UHPA now represents ten campuses with 3070 members (as of 2014) and is the exclusive bargaining organization for its members. Membership consists of instructional faculty, researchers, librarians, student service specialists, extension agents,lecturers, and the faculty of the Schools of Law and Medicine.

Although UHPA is not a state affiliate of the NEA, it is accorded a similar status, thus granting UHPA members benefits. The union is also associated with the Hawai'i State AFL-CIO. UHPA's president serves as the vice president of its board.

UHPA's primary duties and responsibilities are the negotiations of a faculty contract and enforcement of the terms and rights of faculty members under that contract. The first contract took effect in 1975. There have been twelve contracts since that initial contract leading to two historic six-year contracts, followed by a two-year contract beginning on July 1, 2015.

Governance of UHPA: There are five officers, elected by the Board of Directors- the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Executive Director who is an ex officio member without vote. The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and administrative officer of UHPA. The Executive Director is elected by the Board of Directors to serve on the Boardof Directors for five years. The Board of Directors elects the officers to serve on the Executive Committee, including the Executive Director. The current Executive Director has served since 1980. The Executive Director is responsible for the hiring, firing, assignment, and supervision of the UHPA staff. The ED also enters into various contracts for services including legal counsel, lobbying, information systems, data analysis political specialists, communications and media support, and external auditors.

UHPA has three standing committees (referred to as Board committees): Executive Committee, Personnel Committee, and Nominaitons and Elections Committee. Only directors may serve on these committees. All other committees established by Board are advisory only and includes active and retired members. These advisory committees include: Collective Bargaining Committee, Investment, Finance & Audit committee, and Faculty Representative Advisory Committee.

In the 1980s, faculty by departments, disciplines, programs or division were grouped into Primay Academic Units (PAUs) and from these groups, individuals were selected to represent PAU as the Faculty Representative. Faculty representatives meet at least twice a year at the Faculty Forum where they can make forma recommendations to the Board of Directors. They serve as the liaison between UHPA leadership and PAU.