Huge Number Mark Career Achievements

To Cherish with pride
Volume 3 • No. 1 January/March 2011
Ha‘aheo 675
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PLUMBERS AND FITTERS UNITED ASSOCIATION LOCAL 675, AFL-CIO
UA Local 675 Honors Its Veterans
Huge Number Mark Career Achievements
“Got openings?” chuckled this quartet of “mighty seniors” after staff chief Reggie Castanares, extreme right, and agent Val Ceria, far left, congratulated David
Tancayo, Arthur Fong, Vernon Tyau, and Duke Ota, on their half-century as Local 675 members. They were among the 183 honored at year-end ceremonies at the
Hilton Hawaiian Village & Spa. Adam Duncan Sr., in right photo, receives his certification as one among 33 who surpassed the 45-year mark.
UA Local 675’s Oahu membership
at the recent year-end dinner meeting
honored 183 colleagues certified as
having achieved milestone anniversaries
covering 25 or more years.
“Many of them have retired or are
on the verge, and that poses a challenge
in finding qualified recruits who can
ably fill their boots,” business manager
Reginald Castanares observed.
The following are members who
earned awards for the years of continuous service as shown (the total number
for each anniversary period in parenthesis). Those who did not attend the
dinner are noted as “absent.”
65 Years (1)
Hiroshi Okuno (absent)
60 Years (1)
Dudley Dias (absent)
55 Years (2)
Charles M. Chibana (absent)
Thomas Shimodoi (absent)
50 Years (29)
Arthur Fong
Duke Ota
David Tancayo
Vernon Tyau
(continued on page 4)
PAGE 2
HA‘AHEO 675
JANUARY/MARCH 2011
Our Pledge to the State and Its Citizens
Reginald Castanares, Business Manager/Financial Secretary
As new political leadership continues breaking in its supporting staffs,
we in the private sector are making
ourselves available to offer a hand
where our respective expertise might be
helpful.
Unions like ours – whether private
or public - look to share in the work
of improving our economy and institutions. We at times have to contend
with skepticism when we do so. It
usually comes from people and groups
with a fervent distrust of government.
That’s tough to overcome, regardless how hard we try. That’s a burden
we as part of America’s “working class”
continue to put up with. Our collective strength derives from individual
families having endured hardships and
in most instances modestly provided
their ohana a decent life.
In America, and notably in Hawaii,
up through the Franklin Delano Roosevelt years, there was an evident social
and economic gap between the “haves”
and “have-nots.” It wasn’t until the
end of World War II that people sensed
changes were about due, especially in
producing a viable “middle class,” best
measured by home ownership. By the
mid-50s a political upheaval empowered Democratic Party control for the
first time since U.S. annexation of the
islands.
Politics in Hawaii hasn’t been the
same since. Along with it rose the role
of organized labor. Construction trades
by the 1960s entered into their first-ever
collective bargaining agreements.
The agreements negotiated with
business owners provided a certain
level of stability for working families,
but more emphatic perhaps, served as
the capstone to ensuring middle-class
sustainability.
Seemingly overnight nations across
the globe, with rare exceptions, are
experiencing economic turmoil. Our
federal government and many of its state
counterparts are reeling from budget
deficits. In our backyard new Governor
Abercrombie in his state of the state
message gave a grim though realistic assessment of our state’s economy.
Short of rehashing the past and
placing blame, the Governor has wisely
urged we all not just acknowledge our
situation, but rather focus on undeniably tough solutions that ultimately will
revitalize the spirit and substance that
has made Hawaii particularly unique in
our Nation. It’s a goal shared by Local
675 and its brotherhood allies.
Trades Council Picks Castanares
New Head
Among Governor Neil Abercrombie’s earliest post-election pleasures
was the swearing in of the new leadership for the Hawaii Building and
Construction Trades Council. Jovially joining him at the podium were UA
Plumbers Union Local 675’s Reginald Castanares, the Council’s president
for the next two years, and trustee Douglas Fulp, of the Asbestos Insulators
Union Local 132. The recently restructured officer slate also includes vice
president Damien Kim, of IBEW Union Local 1186; secretary/treasurer
Thaddeus Tomei, of the Elevator Constructors Union Local 126, trustee
Peter Ganaban, of Laborers Union Local 368; and sergeant-at-arms Gary
Aycock, of Boilermakers Union Local 204.
Two past Council heads, Nolan Moriwaki (Masons & Plasterers Unions
Locals 1 and 630) and George Paris (Ironworkers Local 625) were cited for
distinguished services, as was executive director Buzz Hong.
JANUARY/MARCH 2011
HA‘AHEO 675
PAGE 3
Dredging’s Industrial Arm Returns to UA Local 675
H
awaiian Dredging Construction’s steamfitters and
pipefitters are back in the UA
Local 675 fold after company officials
and Union business manager Reginald
Castanares signed a collective bargaining agreement February 23.
“We’re comfortable and pleased relying
again on the Union’s home-raised manpower for our unique industrial projects,” Bill
Wilson, company president and CEO, said.
The kamaaina firm’s initial CBA with Local
675 came during the period of first Union
leader Ed Kovacks’ tenure, shifted later to
a mainland-based labor union, a tie recently
terminated.
Said Daniel Guinaugh, vice president
of Hawaiian Dredging’s Power & Industrial Division, which presides over work
performed by the agreement’s affected employees: “We are pleased to gain the benefit
of using skilled people that are locally
trained in a facility here in Hawaii. Local
675 training program is a benefit to us and
the companies we work for; this is truly a
A REASON TO SMILE: UA Local 675’s Reginald Castanares, second from right,and Hawaiian Dredging’s Dan Guinaugh show a copy of a labor agreement recently signed that restores an earlier longtime
relationship. Joining them were Dredging’s Gary Yokoyama and Tom Valentine, Union agent Val Ceria,
and Bill Wilson, Dredging president and CEO.
partnership that we will all benefit from.”
Castanares thanked the re-signed signatory, welcomed a tour of the Union’s train-
ing facilities and the company’s input to
help strengthen their cooperative relationship to benefit the industry’s customers.
Economy Plumbing Tracks Success to Founder And
Long Ties With PAMCA and Local 675
Economy Plumbing & Sheetmetal
Inc., founded and started in 1958 by
Thomas “Pep” Matsuzaki, is currently
managed by his son Kent.
Thomas began his career tie with
Local 675 around 1948 after securing
his first job as a plumber with Nakagawa Plumbing. He shortly was in Army
uniform when the Korean War broke
out in l950. After two years as a chef
and plumber, he returned in 1953 and
worked for Heide & Cook.
In 1953 at the urging of brother-inlaw Roy Kawakami of Quality Sheetmetal, Thomas opened his business,
Kalihi Plumbing, initially operating in
the garage of his Kalihi home. When
it was incorporated in 1958, the firm
changed to its present name, suggested
at the time by Local 675 business manager Ed Kovack.
By 1960 a group
of local mechanical
contracting firms led
by industry organizer Walter Oda
formed the Plumbing and Mechanical
Contractors Association, known by
Kent Matsuzaki
its acronym PAMCA.
Economy was among
the few original members that included
Oahu Plumbing and Sheetmetal, Heide
& Cook, Durant-Irvine, and Honolulu
Plumbing. In its third year the senior
Matsuzaki was elected its president.
PAMCA’s growth is marked by its
strong ties with Local 675, steadily developed under succeeding staff executive
directors Harry Honda, from 1963 to
2005, and Gregg Serikaku, since then.
Kent Matsuzaki, who has held the
company reins the past 25 years, served
as PAMCA president in 1998 and is
presently its secretary. He is currently a
management trustee and co-chairman of
Local 675 trust funds. “I believe the two
groups must continue to work together
to ensure a “win-win” environment for
both,” he emphasized.
Kent disclosed while at Stanford
University in 1985 earning his mechanical engineering degree and already
started on a business graduate program
his father “Pep” popped by his campus
apartment unannounced asking if he
would consider returning home and
working in the business.
His decision to join his dad came
after weeks of contemplation. “Looking
back I know I made the right choice,”
he said.
PAGE 4
HA‘AHEO 675
JANUARY/MARCH 2011
Among Neighbor Islanders Achieving Milestones
HILO
Left, Agent Donovan Lewis, Charles Rosa (50 years), Howard DeLima Sr. (35 years), Rogelio Patao (30 years) all from Hilo
(continued from page 1)
Absent:
Manuel J. Cano
Herbert K. Chang
Gilbert C. Ching
Robert N. Fernandez
Sidney J. Fo
Juro Fukuda
Thomas M. Fukumoto
Paul Y. Hirakawa
Arthur W. Hoomalu
Takeyasu Kaneshiro
Herbert S.K. Kaopua Sr.
Henry G. Lee Jr.
Alfred.Manthei
Donald M. Masaki
Kenneth K. Meyer
Wallace Miyata
Mineo Nagata
Robert Y. Nakata
Robert K. Naki
Walter Nii
Platon K. Reyes
Masaichi Yagi
James T. Yamane
Richard T. Yoshimura
45 Years (33)
Stanley Ajirogi
Adam Duncan Sr.
Mark Fujimoto
Stanley Kim
Robert Thomas
Edward M. Yamashita
Absent:
Raymond M. Akimoto
William K. Asato
Chisato Ekimura
Jiro Fukushima
Francis Futagawa
George Hamasaki
Alan S. Hayashi
Daniel Y. Hirata
James S. Kai
Patrick K. Kanekoa
Charles Nakashima
Kenneth T. Nakata
Shiokichi Nishimura
Ronald K. Oba
Earl Y. Shigemitsu
Roy T. Shirafuji
Denis M. Sumida
Kenneth K. Takamoto
Stanley M. Takasane
Masamitsu Tateishi
Milton Taura
Edward Y. Yamasaki
Wayne Murakami
Harry Nakamura
Mike Nua
Charles Ota
Aaron Shiohira
Lance Takahashi
Walter Takara
Michael Uyehara
Donald R. Williams Jr.
Craig Yanagihashi
Absent:
Robert T. Abe
Robert D. Ahn Jr.
Rudolph C. Arreola
Robert K. Beck
Stephen D. Eby
Jerry K. Fujii
Glen K. Goya
Jerry K. Hamada
Glenn I. Hashimoto
Bruce I. Hiraiwa
Jayson N. Inouye
Keary K. Kaitsu
Thomas B. Kamikawa
Lovell K. Kaopua Sr.
Dennis M. Kapuras
Stephen Y. Kashiwagi
Roy M. Kashiwahara
Francis Y. Kikuchi
Melvin T. Kirihara
Robert K. Kuhns
Robert Y. Matsumura
Glen Medeiros Sr.
40 Years (65)
Chester Chagami
Bruce Graham
Allen Holton
Kenny Iboshi
Wilfred Kanno
Edwin Kashiwamura
Francis Kawahara
Albert Keomaka Jr.
KONA
Darryl Wilson (45 years), Edgar Okada (30 years), both from Kona, and Reggie
Castanares
JANUARY/MARCH 2011
HA‘AHEO 675
PAGE 5
William E. Kaina
James S. Matsumura
Darren J. Nitta
Scott T. Ono
Clyde M. Oshiro
Benjamin Panis
Alfred Patinio
Glenn Y. Tango
Miles K. Yasuda
Mark Y. Yoshizu.
KAUA‘I
Agent Val Ceria with John Lopes Jr. (45 years), Andy Alfiler (30 years), and Hanson Martin (45 years)
Edwin Mendoza
Paul Michael
Leslie Miyamoto
Raymond T. Nakagawa
Paul T. Nakata
Roy S. Nakayama
Terrence R. Nicely
Paul K. Nishimura
Dennis K. Nouchi
David I. Okada
Allan S. Ro
Joseph V. Santos
Gary H. Sato
George Sato
Guy M. Seiki
Kingsley Simeona
Sunao Soga
Gary H. Tsukamoto
Dennis K. Watanabe
Robert H. Yamada
Edwin G. Yamaguchi
Mitsutoshi Yamashita
Ralph H. Yamashita
Clyde R. Yoshida.
35 Years (21)
Alfredo Antonio
Glenn H. Inasaki
Keith M. Lee
Ron A. Matsuzaki
Harold P. McDermott Jr.
Allen H. Onuma
Michael J. Silva
Allen P. Yee
Absent:
Alfred Acopan
Kerry M. Akiyama
Keith Fujishima
Cecil E. Hale Jr.
Walter Hayashi
Randal Hiraki
Kyle Ito
Michael S. Nohara
Rodney S. Sojot
Eugene Uyeno
Clyde Y. Watanabe
Ronald M. Yotsuye.
30 Years (48)
Elbert Fraticelli
Terence T. Higaki
Absent:
Reynold N. Arakawa
Norman P. Enos
Gilbert K. Hamasaki
Kenneth H. Hara Jr.
Neal K. Hirasuna
David B. Hu
David N. Ikeno
Preston M. Jordan
Les T. Kinoshita
John K. Kioshi
Jason K. Konno
Zachary K. Matsuzaki
David T. Miyamoto
Myles Y. Miyazaki
Byron Y. Muraoka
Darren Y. Niino
Grant K. Nishida
Aaron T. Nozawa
Roger I. Oba
Steven T. Okikawa
Kendall T. Oshima
(continued on page 6)
MAUI
Maui’s Randolph Abafo (45 years), Larry Yamamoto (45 years), Michael Suzuki (40 years), Wilfred Shim (30 yrs), Wesley Arakaki (30 years), and Reggie
Castanares
PAGE 6
(continued from page 5)
Kerry T. Oshiro
Roy Patinio
Andrew K. Sato
Peyton D. Siliado
Dale M. Sproat
Guy H. Takazono
Jay Y. Tanaka
Anthony C. Toledo
David H. Tsuji
Allen Zukemura
25 Years (7)
Thomas Falahee
Absent:
Kevin K. Kanekoa
Raymond W. Lara
Raymond M. Sakurai
Gavin K. Sato
Joseph F. Sheetz
Joseph Simeona
For more photos go to
www.plumbershawaii.com
Photo Gallery
HA‘AHEO 675
JANUARY/MARCH 2011
Recognized also for similar achievements at later separately held Neighbor Island
membership dinner meetings were the following who attended:
HILO
30 years
Andy Alfiler
50 years
Charles Rosa
MAUI
45 years
35 years
Howard Delima Jr.
Randolph Abafo
Larry Yamamoto
30 years
Rogelio Patao
40 years
Michael Suzuki
KONA
45 years
30 years
Wesley Arakaki
Wilfred Shim
Daryl Wilson
30 years
Edgar Okada
KAUA’I
45 years
John Lopes Jr.
Hansen Martin
Pension Benefit Extended
The Board of Trustees of the Pension Fund has
recently extended the $167 factor to benefit units
earned through August 31, 2011.
HealthPass Screens Status of Well-Being
UA Local 675 members and covered dependents will find the HMSA Healthpass program personally beneficial in learning the status of their health and related lifestyle behavior. It’s an annual free screening process that
includes:
• Completing a Health Risk Assessment questionnaire (HRA) covering your health and related lifestyle, that takes
a half hour;
• Taking and evaluating for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index and other biometric measurements at a HealthPass Center;
• Offering health coaching services to help reach your goals; and
• Referring you to healthy lifestyle programs, interventions and health education classes (nutrition, exercise, weight
management, stress management and smoking cessation).
Each participant is entitled to a $20 check from the H&W Fund after completing the HealthPass process in
2011. Upon obtaining biometric measurements/evaluation at a HealthPass Center, ask for an “Appointment Verification Form” and send it to the Health & Welfare Fund (1109 Bethel Street #403, Honolulu, HI 96813).
The free annual HealthPass screening may be initiated online at www.hmsa.com/hra, or call HealthPass at 808432-9220 (or on the Neighbor Islands, 1-800-525-6548). The website also offers other HealthPass services.
JANUARY/MARCH 2011
HA‘AHEO 675
PAGE 7
Plumbers Enjoy 27th Aloha
Fun Run/Walk
V
oggy skies greeted but didn’t deter another gigantic turnout for
the Presidents Day annual Aloha Week Fun Run, conducted
by Carole Kai Charities since 1985. Some 19,210 participants
finished the 8.15-mile foot race, more in fun than for a record run.
Among them were 202 from the ranks of the Plumbers Union,
including members and family, topping the day with an ono Unionhosted kau kau.
“We’re pleased in giving our ohana a chance to enjoy what we know
is a truly community-wide event and where all funds are committed to
Hawaii’s charities,” business manager Reginald Castanares said. It was
Local 675’s seventh year as a participant.
What Handicap? Stanley Takasane, retired plumber, and wife
Pearl show no wear or tear after completing this year’s Aloha Fun
Run. They may not claim being the “energizing rabbits” even
though this is the Rabbit Year, but they vow staying physically
active is their secret to longevity.
Members Show Their Stuff on Big Island Project Sites
Thumbs-up by Aloha Fire’s Sonny Kiaha and Dino Kaili at Hilo Safeway
Also at Hilo Safeway: Shobu’s Carl Kim, Mike Roan and Tymon Gallano
Teamed on Target’s Hilo store are, left, Honolulu Fire’s Ben Manuel, Maurice Johnson, Christopher Sagucio, Alaka’i’s Ken Ah Mook Sang, Honolulu Fire’s Paul
Sasaki, and Alaka’i’s Aukuso Gaisoa, and Ranny Catingub
PAGE 8
HA‘AHEO 675
To Cherish with pride
Ha‘aheo 675
Official PublicatiOn Of the Plumbers and fitters united assOciatiOn lOcal 675, afl-ciO
Ha‘aheo 675 is the official publication of the
Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675
1109 Bethel Street, Lower Level
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 536-5454
www.plumbershawaii.com
JANUARY/MARCH 2011
Plumbers and Fitters
United Association
Local 675
1109 Bethel Street, Lower Level
Honolulu, HI 96813
Reginald Castanares
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
Donovan Lewis
President
Valentino Ceria
Vice President
Tracy Tanouye
Recording Secretary
David Kamakea
Sentry
Send Contributions/questions regarding
Ha‘aheo 675 to Editor, Elroy Chun
Calendar of Events
APRIL
Monday, April 11, 2011
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Washington Middle School-Cafeteria
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
MAUI RAP SESSION
Maui Community College
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
KAUA‘I RAP SESSION
Kaua‘i Community College
MAY
Monday, May 2, 2011
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Washington Middle School-Cafeteria
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
KONA RAP SESSION
Kahakai Elementary School
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
HILO RAP SESSION
Waiakea Intermediate School
Dozen New Pensioners
Recently claiming their hard-earned
pension were:
Earl T. Endo
01/01/11
John A. Gabriel
01/01/11
Patrick K. Kanekoa 01/01/11
Edwin T. Kashiwamura 01/01/11
Leann M. Kohara
01/01/11
Albert M. Langsi
01/01/11
Chester A. Leialoha
01/01/11
David S. Nakasone
01/01/11
Edwin H. Oshiro
01/01/11
Norman H. Wong
01/01/11
Mitchell M. Yamamoto 11/01/10
Miles S. Yoshi
12/01/10
Congratulations on an outstanding
career and wishing all a happy retirement.
In Memoriam
Heartfelt sympathy and condolences to each
family of our recently deceased members:
Harold J. Trines
11/10/10
George S. Matsuzaki
11/15/10
Raymond S. Kadomoto 12/01/10
Herbert Y. Oshiro
12/01/10
Thomas A. Ortogero Sr. 12/27/10
Yorito Tengan
01/19/11
YOUR PHONE
CONNECTIONS
Local 675 Office ........... 536-5454
1109 Bethel Street, Lower Level
Honolulu, H 96813
Administrative Office ... 536-4408
1109 Bethel Street, Suite 403
Honolulu, H 96813
Health & Welfare
Pension, Annuity
Vacation & Holiday
Training Workshop ..... 456-0585
97-731B Kamehameha Hwy.
Pearl City, HI 96782
Credit Union ............... 537-9135
1109 Bethel Street, Lower Level
Honolulu, H 96813
Call office promptly on address change.