Plumbers and Fitters Union Local 675

Capstone to Oahu’s ‘New City’ - Ho’opili Aims to Meet A Planned Island-Wide Community Vision

A proposed development long backed by UA Union Local 675 that would be Oahu’s single biggest community awaits critical clearance by the State and City. For the local construction work force, the Ho’opili planned community by the D.R. Horton-Schuler Division, when approved, intends to provide continuous employment in all its phases the next 20 years, including 7,000 permanent jobs. The development also means other unrelated building opportunities within the “New City” metropolis.

“Our industry recognizes that changes in land use bear heavy responsibility toward achieving a responsible balance between community needs and environmental preservation. In that respect, we think Ho’opili has met that criterion,” contends Reginald Castanares, UA Local 675 business manager and president of the Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council.

Hp’opili, shaped by a 32-member Community Task Force since 2005, was conceived as part of a looming major transit-oriented community, the vision now a virtual reality as the City’s rail transit system unfolds. Its boundaries enveloping portions of Kapolei, Ewa, and Waipahu will constitute a village-like setting of roughly 11,750 homes spread across 1,554 acres.

Ho’opili spokesman Cameron Nekota said the project amounts to $4.6 billion in direct investment, obviously helpful to a lagging economy. “West Oahuans need homes close to their jobs,” he added.

The state Land Use Commission unanimously approved the developer’s request to consolidate motions for hearing purposes and also accepted an amended petition covering technical issues cited in an earlier petition filed two years ago.

Residents along the proposed project corridor are strongly supportive. Their vision for the decades-old Ewa master plan is to finalize a sustainable community to ensure quality jobs, education, alternate forms of local transportation, and an urban agricultural program.

The project, when completed, will supersede in scope Mililani Town, developed over three decades and completed in the mid-1980s.

Local 675 Training Facility Awes State Labor, Education Officals

A tour May 17 requested by the State Labor Department gave its top officials and also others from Honolulu Community College and the U.S. Department of Labor a first hand look at training facilities operated by the Plumbers, Electricians, and Carpenters Unions.

“We’re all overwhelmed what we’ve seen at the Plumbers & Fitters’ Pearl City facility,” state labor director Dwight Takamine said. He repeated his impression at a luncheon at which he elaborated on the need for collaboration among apprenticeship programs and the various agencies that oversee each.

“We’re pleased the State made the tour, recognizing why our five-year training program ranks nationally,” Local 675 business manager Reginald Castanares, who helped host the visitors, said.

Program to Fight Diabetes

A no-cost way for Local 675 members to avoid or control a diabetic condition.

The Queen’s Medical Center and Ho’okele Health Navigators offer a free fourmonth glucose monitoring program targeting healthy living with simple instructions.

Like any prevention effort, this diabetes navigation program aims at reducing long term healthcare costs. Signatory companies and Union members are encouraged to give it a try. For details, call Tracie Ann Tjapkes (Chap’kess), phone 628-7458 (office) or 777-8752 (cell), or email tracieann@hookelehealth.com.

Plumbers Enjoy 27th Aloha Fun Run/Walk

Voggy 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.

A Show of Brotherhood
UNITY PICNIC DRAWS UNION FAMILIES

Infant and young faces meshed with those of parents and grandparents all enjoying the camaraderie of Hawaii’s building trades unions on a sunny, sultry Labor Day at the Waikiki Shell. For that period of funfest the troubles of a sour economy were left pretty much at home.

Picnickers didn’t forget families with empty cupboards, bringing packages of canned goods and other non-perishables for distribution by the Hawaii Food Bank.

There wasn’t a straw poll, but if one were taken, the Plumbers tent might have likely been the favorite with the huge turnout for its slush and ice cream mix. Given the almost blistering sun much of the day, the line to the Plumb-ers’ dispensing booth seemingly was unending.

“We’re elated that so many came with their youngsters and to share and commemorate a day that has traditionally exemplified the united strength of organized labor,” business manager Reginald Castanares said.

He commended the staff and other 675 employees and volunteers for assistance at the event.

Donation Helps Attain Goal
PAMCAH-Local 675 Boosts Schools Sports Budget

It was prep football night October 2 at Roosevelt High, an occasion highlighted by a big contribution boost of $10,000 from the PAMCAH-UA Local 675 Trust Fund to the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) to help erase its budget deficit for the current season.

The photo above shows business manager Reginald Castanares tell sportscaster Dave Vinton the organized plumbing/fitting industry is pleased to share in the community-wide support of the OIA athletic program. “We are long supporters of public school sports and the donation simply extends our continued commitment,” he said.

Others joining in the presentation of a replica of the donation shown above are Local 675 vice president Val Ceria, PAMCA executive director Gregg Serikaku, and Kahuku High School athletic director Joe Whitford, representing the OIA.

Plumbing A Key to Sanitary Health
INSPECTION CHIEF FINDS TRADE BOOSTS CAREER

City & County’s Plumbing works ‘Police’: After a plumbing permit is drawn at the City Building Department, expect any of these veteran inspectors at the job site. Each was a former licensed journeyman plumber who completed the trade’s training program. They are, from left, sitting, Blake Asato, Clinton Higashi, Alan Nakamura (plumbing inspector chief), Reid Okazaki and Gaylen Yoshida. Standing, Scott Ono, Keith Lee, Bruce Hiraiwa, Joseph Muramoto, Darren Niino, Russell Tomita, and Jayson Inouye.

Who can forget the childhood reminders that cleanliness is just as sacred as Godliness?
That’s an adage municipalities also hold dear with their daily responsibility over safeguarding public sanitation and again, startlingly dramatized by the alert on the recent swine flu threat.

People may not connect us with issues of health until they realize water transmission standards are key to environmental and health protection, covered in codes and enforced by regulators based on permits issued, explains Alan Nakamura, in charge of the City & County plumbing inspection section since 2006.

The importance of comprehensive check on newly installed and maintained plumbing works on all properties is emphasized by the City requirement that a plumbing inspector must have completed a full-blown trade apprenticeship program plus carrying a current State of Hawaii plumbing journey worker license, he emphasizes.

Nakamura’s 11 inspectors cover the entire island, and each has endured the five year, 10,000-hour training program under the joint auspices of Local 675 and signatory contractors with PAMCAH. All have also had jobs as journeymen before turning inspector.

The affable section chief, who has taught CPR to Local 675 members and continues a liaison role with IAPMO, after completing his apprenticeship, obtained his journeyman license in 197l and a master plumber’s license four years later. His early years were with then Ace Plumbing. When the building economy slowed, Nakamura in 1978 joined the Honolulu Police Department while at the same time working two other fulltime jobs. He returned to the trade in 1978 as a pipefitter foreman with Hawaiian Dredging and ten years later, became a City inspector. “The trade has gone hi-tech in a big way since my plumbing days,” he recalled. “When man and material hoists were not available on the jobsite, my fellow apprentices used to compete racing up stairwells delivering materials up to as high as 12 stories, surprising the awaiting journeymen, who were gracious teaching us job layout as our reward,” he laughed.

“Where in the ‘old days’ it was almost all caulk-joint, today the tradesman applies a lot of thinking because the work is a lot more complex,” he observes, commenting on the excellent training provided at all levels by a trade considered topflight nationally.

Nakamura and his colleagues oversee 1,200 to 1,500 jobs a year explaining their checking in at their offices as early as 5:30 each morning. Busy as they are, they still make time for the community, involved mostly with fund-raising walks for various health groups as heart, diabetes, cancer, and other health nonprofits.