Ige, Gov Hopeful, Tops Plumbers Endorsed Slate

To Cherish with pride
Ha‘aheo 675
Volume 6 • No. 3 July/September 2014
Official PublicatiOn Of the Plumbers and fitters united assOciatiOn lOcal 675, afl-ciO
Nov. 4 General Election
Ige, Gov Hopeful, Tops Plumbers Endorsed Slate
A
s president of the Hawaii Building
& Construction Trades Council,
AFL-CIO and business manager
of the Plumbers & Fitters Local Union
675, Reggie Castanares announced that
both organizations fully support the
endorsement of candidates as follows:
Democrat nominee for Governor David Ige gets warm
welcome at Labor Day Unity gathering by Local 675’s
Reggie Castanares and assurance of membership vote.
Governor/Lt. Governor: David Ige/Shan Tsutsui
U.S. Senate: Brian Schatz
U.S. House: CD1: Mark Takai
CD1: Tulsi Gabbard
Exercise your R
ig
ht to Pick Our
Lea
ders
Vote Tuesday, N
ovember 4
Hawaii State Senate:
SD1: Gil Kahele SD3: Josh Green SD4: Lorraine Inouye
SD5: Gil Keith-Agaran SD6: Roz Baker SD12: Brickwood Galuteria
SD17: Clarence Nishihara SD18: Michelle Kidani SD21: Maile Shimabukuro SD24: Jill Tokuda
Hawaii State House:
HD1: Mark Nakashima HD3: Richard Onishi HD4: Joy San Buenaventura HD10: Angus McKelvey
HD11: Kaniela Ing HD12: Kyle Yamashita HD14: Derek Kawakami HD15: James Tokioka HD16: Dee Morikawa
HD18: Mark Hashem HD19: Bert Kobayashi HD20: Calvin Say HD21: Scott Nishimoto HD25: Sylvia Luke
HD28: John Mizuno HD31: Aaron Johanson HD32: Linda Ichiyama HD33: Sam Kong HD34: Gregg Takeyama
HD35: Roy Takumi HD36: Marilyn Lee HD37: Ryan Yamane HD41: Matthew LoPresti HD42: Sharon Har
HD43: Karen Awana HD44: Jo Hordan HD45: Michael Magaoay HD48: Jarrett Keohokalole
City & County of Honolulu:
CD4: Tommy Waters CD6: Carol Fukunaga
County of Kauai:
Mayor: Bernard Carvalho Seat1: Mel Rapozo Seat2: Ross Kagawa
County of Hawaii: No endorsements
County of Maui:
Mayor: Alan Arakawa East Maui: Bob Carroll South Maui: Don Couch Kahului: Don S. Guzman
Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu: Michael Victorino Makawao-Haiku-Paia: Mike White Upcountry: Gladys Coelho Baisa
Lanai: Riki Hokama Molokai: Stacy Helm Crivello
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA): Maui: Carmen Hulu Lindsey At-Large: Rowena Akana, John Waihe‘e, Mililani Trask
PAGE 2
HA‘AHEO 675
JULY/SEPTEMBER 2014
Moving Ahead With Political Realities
Reginald Castanares, Business Manager/Financial Secretary
H
owever we view the results of the recent primary election,
what matters is that our Union, like others, must deal
with the realities and decide how to move forward in
our own best interests.We’ve learned to live with the outcomes of
every election and made necessary adjustments, hoping that new
decisions made will appropriately address our economic concerns.
In that regard the Plumbers Union owes to its members and
signatories an obligation to fulfill that objective. As proven over
the years, we have done so.
When we analyze the primary results and connect them to what
looms ahead, the Union can feel comfortable that the majority
who will survive the general election will more likely be folks
we can count on to carry out the visions of their predecessors in
ensuring continued progress in our island economy and in making
institutional changes where necessary to satisfy their constituents.
Nonetheless, we still need to provide guidance on who we
would prefer as political leaders. In that respect we have teamed
with other cooperating brotherhoods to come up with a new
slate of recommended choices. Hopefully you will continue to
have confidence in our choices. For that we thank you for your
thoughtful support.
Building A Working ‘Middle Class’
Our residents, more than those in other states are stressed by a seemingly endless spiral of price increases and find somewhat
hollow the yearning for a meaningful “middle class.” That stratum in our working society is what most of us consider relevant
to steady economic growth. It is a most worthy goal though not a permanent “guarantee” because the economy is often in flux.
Just what are the obstacles? Probably too many to enumerate.
A starting point in debating what some are is, unquestionably, assurance of a decent-paying fulltime job for the family
breadwinner. Even members of a brotherhood know their jobs are not always secure. And government - at any level - won’t or
can’t guarantee safeguards on job security.
That’s why government provides a host of taxpayer-supported benefits, to compensate for temporary job losses. Workers
prefer, however, not having to rely on that recourse. Still we need to use our collective brainpower and borrow, if we need to,
tools/concepts from other countries and economies that have eased their hardships. At home and in our own backyards we
may need also to be willing to dialogue among ourselves. Ideas arising from the grassroots have a fair chance for successful
implementation.
It’s a challenge we’d like to make to our membership. We have the creativity and influence to formulate approaches that
could better serve ourselves and society-at-large.
JULY/SEPTEMBER 2014
HA‘AHEO 675
PAGE 3
Plumbers Foundation Awards 8 Scholarships
Kiana Antonio Dayton Furuta Sara Koide Shaun Kotani
Brandon Nitta
Micah Richardson
Katie Sasugu Tyler Ono
Eight Local 675 families have good reasons for pride in their households. Each boasts of a young adult with a $1,000
post-high school scholarship being applied this fall. The grants are from the Plumbers & Fitters Local Union 675 Imi Loa
Foundation.
The honorees are:
Dayton Koa Chikara Furuta, University of Hawaii-Manoa freshman with a business major. Son of Dayne Furuta, of
Mililani, a plumber journeyman with Critchfield Pacific Inc.
Kiana Kamalei Casi Antonio, freshman at Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon, a biology major. Daughter of Albert
Antonio, of Makawao, refrigeration/fitter journeyman with Climate Pros, Inc.
Sara Koide, freshman at Chaminade University, elementary education major. Daughter of Miles Koide, of Lihue, a
plumber journeyman with H. Tanaka Plumbing.
Shaun Ryota Kotani, freshman at Chaminade University, criminal justice major. Son of Keith Kotani, of Honolulu, a
refrigeration/fitter journeyman with Continental Mechanical.
Brandon Jeffrey Nitta, a freshman at Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music, guitar major. Son of Darren
Nitta, of Aiea, refrigeration/fitter retiree last with Continental Mechanical.
Tyler Susumu Ono, freshman at University of Hawaii-Manoa, film score major. Son of Earl Ono, of Mililani,
refrigeration/fitter journeyman with Preferred AC Service, LLC.
Micah Jaymen Richardson, freshman at Pierce Junior College, Lakewood, WA, business major. Son of Jason Richardson,
of Wailuku, refrigeration/fitter journeyman at Heide & Cook.
Katie Mie Sasuga, freshman at Seattle University, chemistry major. Daughter of Harvey Sasuga, of Honolulu, plumber
retiree last with Alaka’i Mechanical.
To each awardee and parents, congratulations and the plumbing industry’s best wishes!
PAGE 4
HA‘AHEO 675
JULY/SEPTEMBER 2014
New HART Contract Strategy Aims to Encourage More
Contractor Competition
T
he Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, the agency which oversees the Honolulu rail transit project, has
decided to rebid construction work on the first nine rail stations in an effort to keep project costs down.
“After careful review of the contract bids with my staff, we have decided it is in the public’s best interest to rebid
the station construction work and redesign the bid packages to reduce costs,” said HART Executive Director and CEO Dan
Grabauskas.
HART is proceeding with dividing the original nine-station package into multiple contracts, with the first of those contracts
to be bid on by the end of the year. The multiple contracts should encourage more contractors to participate in the bidding
process and lower potential bid prices, Grabauskas explained.
The repackaged contracts will also provide contractors more time to complete their work, as well as to better plan and
sequence their labor and equipment resources. As a result, the interim 2017 opening of the first 10 miles of the Honolulu
rail system will be pushed back one year to 2018. HART officials are still projecting the entire 20-mile system to be fully
operational by 2019.
HART is currently negotiating with landowners in urban Honolulu for properties needed along that stretch of the rail
alignment. This is anticipation of construction for the elevated rail guideway to begin next year in that area, he added.
A Candidate’s Labor Day Is Another Working Day
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz-D (with lei) takes
advantage of the Labor Day holiday at the
Waikiki Shell mingling with supporters for his
continuance as Hawaii’s senator in Congress.
“A major concern is to get my colleagues to share
in the effort to boost our country’s middle class, a
key in rebuilding our national economy,” Schatz
said.
These Labor Day picnic visitors received encouraging
support from Local 675 leader Reggie Castanares, shown
above, and members in the upcoming General Election.
From left, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz and Congresswoman
Tulsi Gabbard, both aiming to retain their seats, and U.S.
House aspirant Mark Takai, the Democrat nominee who
left the State House after 20 years.
JULY/SEPTEMBER 2014
HA‘AHEO 675
PAGE 5
Labor Day Reminds Members Medical Stays Ichiban Among Benefits
T
he Labor Day Unity picnic served ideally to meet with
some of our wonderful members and their families.
We all recognize that their trade career is foremost
among priorities. Anything else?
“You bet,” chorused the ones Ha’aheo casually spoke to.
And, as you probably guessed, the “next big thing” in their
benefits package unanimously cited is medical coverage.
Sheungman Wong, wife Michelle, and children Kailey and Noah
“Many of us have growing families, and in my case, one of
them is not quite two,” said Hong Kong-born Sheungman
Wong, who joined the plumbers apprenticeship program in
2004 and since has remained with Dorvin Leis.
For Kaipo Kekauoha, his seven years as a plumber,
including time as an apprentice, have all been with Alaka’i
Mechanical Corporation.
Benjamin Panis, wife Susan, daughters Codie, Alyssa and Kelcie
Relative “oldtimers” in the trade echoed their younger
colleagues as to what’s especially valuable for their families.
Deric Ceria, air conditioning mechanic with Air Engineering
for 23 years, and pipefitter/AC Benjamin Panis, the past year
with Economy Plumbing after 32 years with Continental
Mechanical of the Pacific, both swear the medical plan is a
family mainstay.
‘Fun Day’ for the Family
Sign Up for Benefits Conference
Deric Ceria
If it’s October, Local 675 families know it’s more
than time for Halloween. Just a week before the ghouls
show up, the Union will hold its benefits conference
on Saturday, Oct.25, at the Pomaika’i Ballrooms, Dole
Cannery.
Companies that provide the various benefits members
enjoy will field questions you or family members may
have.
Free flu shots will be available upon showing member
medical card (HMSA/Medicare-Part B). Also lots of
amusing activities await the keiki along with prizes and
give-aways galore. Parking is free.
Join the Plumbers ‘ohana, kick back and revisit friends.
Kaipo Kekauoha, wife Lehua, children Kawena and Kaui,
and nephew Zane
Let the Union office know, 536-4408, you’re coming,
by Oct. 20.
PAGE 6
HA‘AHEO 675
JULY/SEPTEMBER 2014
Plumbers Union Joins Salute to UH Community Colleges
B
usiness Manager Reggie Castanares will be among honored guests Nov. 14 when the 50th anniversary of the
Community College Act of 1964 will be celebrated at the Dole Cannery’s Pomaka’i Ballrooms. The legislation
officially integrated the community colleges with the University of Hawaii system.
The Plumbers & Fitters Local Union 675 contributed to the milestone event that
heralds a higher education program aimed at advancing the interests of both the working
and academic communities.
The celebration recalls an early effort in the business sector for a facility to provide
training for a looming diversified work force. It was answered in 1920 when a trade
school opened in Kalihi’s Palama district.
John Morton, Vice President
Community Colleges, UH
It shortly was made part of McKinley High School, in its 55th year. The
Department of Public Instruction decided later the trade institution should reclaim its
former identity, following which it was renamed Honolulu Vocational School. But its
prep public school ties held on, at least nominally, fielding a basketball team in the then
junior interscholastic league of Honolulu.
The Palama locale, incidentally, was likely an intentional choice, given it was the
“heartland” for immigrant families, most with plantation ties, eager to start anew in
proximity of the promise of a jobs-laden downtown Honolulu.
Erika Lacro, Chancellor
Honolulu Community College
By 1955 the 20-acre Dillingham Boulevard campus was given a new name, Hawaii
Technical School, before becoming part of the University of Hawaii, thanks to the
Community College Act nine years later. In 1966 the Board of Regents approved the
name Honolulu Community College (HCC) authorizing it to grant Associate in Arts
and Associate in Science degrees.
The 1964 Act also resulted in the successive permanent emergence of a first-ever community college in Hilo, Wailuku, and
Lihue, a step long anticipated that would boost the economic underpinning for each Neighbor Island as well as expectation of
academic savings for their residents.
“The Palama campus after several transitions will by 2015 have provided 95 years of unparalleled trade education that has
benefited many island generations and businesses,” extolled Erika Lacro, HCC chancellor since July 2012.
John Morton, UH vice president for Community Colleges, noted emphatically: “The skilled trades are an essential
component of Hawaii’s workforce. We know current journey workers are retiring faster than the pace of apprentice entries.
With improving employment and benefit opportunities in the trades we’re attracting students to both the apprenticeship
programs and the related trade programs in the community colleges, and trying also to smooth the pipeline from apprenticeship
to college programs. That provides pathways into supervisory and management jobs in the trades. The CCs can’t do it alone
and must rely on the advice and support of the unions and employers.”
Added Castanares: “The trades appreciate the mutual respect and support enjoyed with the Community Colleges, a
partnership we feel is a unique relationship.”
In that respect, he acknowledged UH’s contribution by making available its CC facilities around the state for the trade
program’s apprenticeship classes. Active journeymen currently serving as after-work instructors are:
From Oahu, Nelson Akina Jr., Reynold Arakawa, Clyde Chinen, Ryan Kamae Ching, Richard Gordon, Derek Higa, Douglas
Kekona, Alward Kaopuiki, Dean Kobashigawa, Dean Luna, James Matsumura Jr., Wayne Murakami, Ronden Numasaki,
Raymond Park, James Quilinderino, Roberto Rellin, Thomas Sakata, George Sapla, Guy Tanodra, Russell Tomita, Gavin
Villafuerte, Andy Wallace, Donald Williams, Sheung Man Wong, Mark Yoshizu. Big Island: Reno Lau,
Scot Minemoto, Michael Sagert; Maui: Bradley Miyamoto, Christopher Ortogero, Michael Suzuki; Kauai: John Lopes Jr.,
Lee Nishimura.
JULY/SEPTEMBER 2014
HA‘AHEO 675
PAGE 7
A/C Equipment Supplier Trains Installers at Iwilei Class
A three-day series of factory training classes
in early August help Local 675 members
from five signatory companies become
familiar with new Variable Refrigerant Flow
(VRF) equipment donated by mainlandbased LG held at the Union’s Iwilei training
center. DMG Corporation’s Jake Gribbon
and Scott LaBeau represent LG locally
and had Critchfield Pacific install the
equipment. Shown at left is LG senior
training manager Courtney Gardner, who
also helped provide hands-on training.
Participants were from Air Engineering,
Alaka’i Mechanical, Heide & Cook, Oahu
AC, and Oahu Plumbing.
Notes From the Benefits Administrator
Urgent care centers and retail/in-store clinics are
convenient options for non-emergency care when one is not able
to get an appointment with a regular physician. Non-emergency
conditions typically treated include:
Allergic reactions/Asthma bronchitis/Colds/Coughs/Flu/Sore
throat/Strep throat/Gastrointestinal problems/Gynecological
problems/High blood pres sure/Diabetes/Pediatric illness/Pink eye/
Rashes/Skin problems/Sinus/Ear infections/Urinary tract infections.
Nearby urgent care centers and in-store/retail clinics are found
online. Some websites: www.aaucm.org (Urgent Care Centers);
www.findurgentcare.com (Urgent Care Centers);
www.cvs.com/minuteclinic (In-Store/Rental Clinics-Longs/CVS).
Immediately call 911 or go to an Emergency Room for medical
events capable of causing loss of life or limb. For example, chest
pain (thought to be a heart attack), abdominal pain (may be
appendicitis), signs of stroke, con-cussion, broken limb.
VSP ProTec Safety Eyewear
Protect eyes from work-related eye injuries!
Employees only are eligible to obtain ProTec safety eyewear with a
nominal copayment. For information, call VSP Customer Service,
1-800-877-7195.
Extension of $150 Pension Benefit Unit Value
The $150.00 Pension Benefit Unit Value was extended for Benefit Units
earned from Sept. 1, 2013 through Aug. 31, 2015.
Industry Watchdogs
Report
T
he Union’s training program is
benefiting from the 2012 Uniform
Plumbing Code (UPC), thanks to its
pending adoption by the State Building Code
Council.
The current standard is the 2006 UPC, which
will change through the state’s administrative
rulemaking process prior to becoming the new
State model plumbing code.
What it means is the inclusion of water
conservation provisions will allow owners/
developers to implement “green” plumbing
practices. It will benefit both industry and
consumers since Hawaii’s sole source of potable
water comes from various aquifers on each
island, according to Plumbers Training Center
coordinator Harold McDermott and Gregg
Serikaku, PAMCA executive director.
Implementing the change in the training
curriculum ensures Local 675 members as the
state’s technically proficient and updated licensed
plumbers.
Regular industry oversight of the state
Procurement Task Force actions also ensures
the subcontractor listing law helps prevent “bid
shopping” by generals.
PAGE 8
HA‘AHEO 675
JULY/SEPTEMBER 2014
Plumbers and Fitters
United Association
Local 675
1109 Bethel Street, Lower Level
Honolulu, HI 96813
Retirees Break Mark With 2014 Food Donation
The Hawaii Food Bank commended the Local 675 Retirees Club in surpassing its
previous year’s donation by 53 pounds. Its donation this year scaled 244 pounds plus an
additional $10 in cash.
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014
GENERAL ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014
VETERANS DAY - HOLIDAY
President Willy Kanno praised the membership’s generosity and announced also the
club will have a booth at the Local 675-PAMCAH benefits fair on Oct. 25.
New officers will be elected at the next meeting Nov. 11.
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014
THANKSGIVING DAY - HOLIDAY
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014
MAUI CHRISTMAS DINNER
6:00 pm Sheraton Maui Resort
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014
KAUAI CHRISTMAS DINNER
6:00 pm Kauai Beach Resort
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014
KONA CHRISTMAS DINNER
Heartfelt sympathy and condolences
to the families of recently deceased:
Dudley A. Dias
05/02/14
Richard R. Ito
05/07/14
Roland I. Nobuji
04/09/14
Joseph V. Santos
08/12/14
Norman M. Tokuda07/28/14
Toshiharu Yasuda
08/26/14
6:00 pm Sheraton Kona Resort/Spa
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
HILO CHRISTMAS DINNER
6:00 pm Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Four Join Pensioners
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014
Newly retired approved for pension
benefits are:
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP HOLIDAY MEETING
Nicomedes K.V. Ganiron08/01/14
5:00 pm Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral III-V
Rodney T. Higashi08/01/14
Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014
Leslie M. Makizuru07/01/14
CHRISTMAS DAY - HOLIDAY
Jody K. Tamayose
07/01/14