2016 Local 5 Endorsements

Local 5 is working to build power inside and outside of our workplaces. Voting together and winning together is one step toward this.

Hawaii’s primary election is on Saturday, August 13, 2016 from 7:00a – 6:00p. Go here to find your polling place or view a sample ballot.

You can also do early walk-in voting from August 1-11. You can still register to vote at any of the early walk-in voting locations during these dates. View the early walk-in voting locations and hours of operation here. You may also request ballots in Ilocano, Chinese, or Japanese.

We have endorsed the following candidates for the primary election:

2016.07.21 Local 5 Endorsements social media post v2Honolulu City Council:

  • Ron Menor – District 9 (Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Mililani Town, West Loch, Iroquois Point, portions of Ewa Villages & Ewa Beach)
  • Joey Manahan – District 7 (Kalihi, Iwilei, Kalihi Kai, Mapunapuna, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Hickam, Foster Village, Ford Island, Sand Island)

Kauai County Council:

  • Gary Hooser – At-Large

Maui County Council:

  • Elle Cochran – West Maui

State House of Representatives:

  • Nicole Lowen – District 6 (Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokohau)
  • Tiare Lawrence – District 12 (Spreckelsville, Pukulani, Makawao, Kula, Keokea, Ulupalakua, Kahului)
  • Alex Haller – District 13 (Haiku, Hana, Kaupo, Kapahulu, Nahiku, Paia, Lanai, Molokai, Molokini)
  • Tom Brower – District 22 (Waikiki, Ala Moana)
  • Ikaika Hussey – District 28 (Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, Lower Kalihi)
  • Ryan Yamane – District 37 (Mililani, Waipio Gentry, Waikele)
  • Henry Aquino – District 38 (Waipahu)
  • Ty Cullen – District 39 (Royal Kunia, Village Park, Waipahu, Makakilo, West Loch)
  • Randy Gonce – District 40 (Ewa, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Iroquois Point)
  • Matt LoPresti – District 41 (Ewa Villages, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Ocean Pointe)
  • Jarrett Keohokalole – District 48 (Kaneohe, Heeia, Ahuimanu, Kahaluu, Haiku Valley, Mokuoloe)
  • Patrick Shea – District 49 (Kaneohe, Maunawili, Olomana)
  • Cynthia Thielen – District 50 (Kailua, Kaneohe Bay)
  • Chris Lee – District 51 (Kailua, Waimanalo)

State Senate:

  • Kanoe Ahuna – District 8 (Kauai, Niihau)
  • Les Ihara – District 10 (Kaimuki, Kapahulu, Palolo, St. Louis, Maunalani, Moiliili, Ala Wai)
  • Laura Thielen – District 25 (Kailua, Lanikai, Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills, Maunawili, Waimanalo, Hawaii Kai, Portlock)

HARIETT Fall 2016 schedule

2016.04.01 HARIETTHARIETT (Hotel And Restaurant Industry Employment & Training Trust) provides job training opportunities for Local 5 members at NO cost through a partnership between participating Employers and Local 5.

A PDF version of the Fall 2016 class schedule for Oahu can be found here.

A full list of programs available statewide can be found on the HARIETT website. If you have any questions, refer to the HARIETT FAQ page or contact HARIETT.

Please note that the trustees have approved the inclusion of direct family members (spouses and children) to participate in our classes.  At this time, we are only opening up ESL, Computer classes, languages, and citizenship. Members interested in signing up their family members should contact:

Mr. James Hardway (HARIETT Executive Director), jhardway@hariett.org, 808-380-6017

Mrs. Tina Rogers (HARIETT Program Manager), trogers@hariett.org, 808-380-6079

Mr. Geoff Wooden (HARIETT Program Manager), gwooden@hariett.org, 80-380-6021

Godfrey Maeshiro, Gemma Garampil Weinstein and Eric Gill

2016 Local 5 Officer Election Results

Local 5 re-elects Eric Gill; votes in first Filipina President

Godfrey Maeshiro, Gemma Garampil Weinstein and Eric Gill

June 30, 2016

Honolulu – The Election Committee, appointed by UNITE HERE International Union President D. Taylor to oversee the 2016 Local 5 Officer Elections, announced this evening the re-election of Eric Gill as the top officer of UNITE HERE Local 5. Local 5 represents nearly 11,000 hotel, health care and food service workers in Hawai’i.

Also elected to a three-year term is Godfrey Maeshiro, Senior Vice-President and the Union’s first elected woman President and Ala Moana Hotel housekeeper, Gemma Garampil Weinstein – a long-time leader in Hawaii’s Filipino community.

In addition to the three titled officers, nine Executive Board members were elected. Mike McGurn, Rita Ikeda, Lydia Agustin will serve as At-Large members, joined by Maria Salantes (Hotel Division), Carol Woo (Food & Beverage Division), Joyce Griffin (Health Care Division), Angela Prigge (Kauai), Joyce Tihada (Maui), and Maggie Larson (Hawaii Island).

Three Trustees were elected. Momi Hai and Leslie Kumia were re-elected to their current positions, joined by newly elected Trustee Julie Gabot.

“Local 5 is known for our vigorous internal democracy and this election was no exception,” said Eric Gill. “We are pleased that, after three years of intense discussion, our members have voted to support the policy, programs and direction of our Union. The democratic process works. Our members have made an intelligent and informed choice, and Local 5 is stronger than ever.”

A total of  4,589 votes were cast in the Local 5 election.

Hale Nani workers attend Kaneohe Neighborhood Board meeting

2016-06-20 16.11.58 copyHale Nani workers attended the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board meeting to voice their concerns about a controversial nursing facility that is being developed by Avalon Health Care Group (which also runs Hale Nani) in Windward Community College. These workers shared their experiences about working conditions at Hale Nani, including understaffing and lack of respect on the job. Members of the community and WCC’s faculty, staff, and students strongly oppose the facility.

Local 5 awarded Hawaii’s Best Union

2016.06.20 Star-Advertiser Hawaii's Best social mediaLocal 5 was awarded Hawaii’s Best Union by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser! Mahalo to our Local 5 members for making us the best union in Hawaii. If you missed yesterday’s paper, you can view the full issue here.

Hilton maintenance worker wins overtime back pay

2016.06.16 HHV maintenance William HutchinsWilliam Hutchins, who works in the Hilton Hawaiian Village maintenance department, was not offered a work opportunity according to seniority. He filed a grievance with the Contract Enforcement Team and won 8 hours of overtime back pay. Congratulations!