Ha‘aheo 675

The Pipeline to the Plumbers Union

Twelve chosen students from various local high schools recently received a weeklong educational experience from the first-ever Pipeline Training Workshop (The Pipeline) at the Training Facility in Iwilei. During the regular school spring break, from March 18th through March 22nd, the selected students enrolled in the Building and Construction Program at their respective high schools participated in the hands-on specialized workshop. Head Training Coordinator Dean Kobashigawa, who conceptualized the idea explained, "This event incorporates all the parts of our Union - the Union leaders, Administration Office, Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association (PAMCA), Retirees Club, Signatory Contractors, Instructors, and Training Department. I feel this is a huge event for the whole organization to focus on introducing high school kids to a career in the Plumbers Union."

The workshop covered the various skill set of Local 675's classifications - Plumbing, Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration, Fire Sprinkler, and Steamfitter Welder. The first day focused on Safety which included First Aid and CPR Certification. Later, the Union officers, Valentino Ceria, Matt Brady, Ben Panis, and Sam Barrett, Jr. as well as Retiree President Jonathan Lee were on hand to talk about their positive, personal journeys as members of Local 675. Gregg Serikaku, PAMCA's Executive Director, and Jaimme Hayakawa with the Trust Fund Administration Office also spoke on the wages and industry benefits of Union membership with Local 675.

The second day of The Pipeline covered Plumbing. The students experienced hands-on projects that involved soldering and brazing along with pipe tracing with guidance from our top plumbing instructors, retirees, and Union officers. The third day of The Pipeline was Air Conditioning Refrigeration. The high schoolers participated in hands-on AC projects which included bending and flaring copper piping. They were also able to pipe up some Carrier AC units with the help and guidance of our top AC instructors, retirees, and 675 Union officers. The fourth day covered Fire Sprinkler. The high school seniors were able to stack a fully functional fire riser, install branch lines, and lastly install different types of fire sprinklers in a mockup ceiling grid. The students were assisted by fire sprinkler instructors, retirees, and Union agents. The last day covered the Steamfitter Welder focusing on basic welding skills and handson torch cutting and welding. The welding instructors and Business Manager Ceria assisted the students with their skilled craftsmanship.

The Training Coordinators preassembled the various work stations for each trade and the Office staff even provided daily breakfast, lunch, snacks, and refreshments for all the students, guests, and workers. There was tremendous help from all the volunteers; from the Training instructors to contractors, retirees, and officers, who were on hand to assist with the total training experience. On the final day, the students and their parents attended the special luncheon and proudly received their certificate of completion of the five-day workshop. They also received many donated items and generous gift cards from our Contractors Association (PAMCA) and the Retiree Club.

Shania Simer with Leilehua High School who was one of two females chosen for this program said, "I really want to be a welder now and will be signing up with the Union." "I like Fire Sprinkler but I'm leaning towards Plumbing," said Shaedyn Quemado with Pearl City High School. He added, "This was a great experience, and it was worth it. I would recommend this program to other students in my school." Training Coordinator Dean Kobashigawa commented, "We couldn' t have asked for a better group of high school kids to attend our first Pipeline event. Great attitude, hard-working, on time, early every day, and very teachable. Hopefully, all twelve sign up because they definitely have what it takes to thrive in our industry."

"This new program will educate the public and help with our apprentice recruitment of students from the high school system. I think we all felt it was a huge success, being the first of its kind, encouraging young people to seek out our trade and make a difference in their future," said Business Manager Valentino Ceria. He thanked Brother Dean Kobashigawa, his assistant training coordinators Ronden Numasaki and Westin Alcover, who worked for months building out the hands-on stations along with assistance from the many volunteers. He also thanked staff members Suzette Barrios and Marilyn Alterado who along with the others, expended their time and effort to make this a successful inaugural program.

The Pipeline Acknowledgments

A Big Mahalo to all those who contributed their time, assistance, and resources for a successful Pipeline event:

• Local 675 Officers, Trust Fund Administration Office, PAMCA, Retiree Club (Guest Speakers) - Valentino Ceria, Matthew Brady, Benjamin Panis, Samuel Barrett Jr., Jaimme Hayakawa, Gregg Serikaku, Jonathan Lee.
• Plumbing Companies - Hi-Tech Plumbing (Royce Akiona), Commercial Plumbing (Randy Hiraki, Kepa Resentes).
• A/C Companies - Island Controls (Derek Higa, Raymond Park), Heide & Cook (Pono Paahao, Jared Takamori).
• Fire Sprinkler Company - Checkpoint Fire (Nelson Ho).
• Volunteers - Retiree Club - Jonathan Lee, Derek Hirao, Al Tivera, Willy Kano.
• Instructors - Chuck Shima, Dean Luna, Guy Tanodra, Herman Killa, Alan Ibanez, Derek Higa, Raymond Park, Tommy Sakata, Kirk Kageno, Aaron Holtzlider, Eseta Suaava, Roland Paulino, Doug Kekona, Val Ceria, James Fan, Mason Sumida.
• Donated Items: Rex Weeler - Hand Tools, Victaulic - Supplies/Fittings for the Student Projects.
• Vendors - Cosco Supply, TRC Sales, Airgas.

Please follow us on Training Instagram!
@HI675PLUMBERSAPPRENTICESHIP