Local 675 Celebrates Heart Health Month ~ Recognizes Retiree Jonathan Lee

(front l-r) Dean Kobashigawa-LU675 Training Coord., Lance Hayashi- LU675 Bus. Agent, Val Ceria- LU675 Bus. Mgr., Lt. Gov. Josh Green, Danny Obrero, Jonathan Lee, Donald Yata, Donna Lee, Matt Brady- LU675 Pres., Benji Panis- LU675 V. Pres., (back l-r) Kika Bukoski- LU675 Dir. Govt. Affairs, Rick Bruno, M.D.- Am. Heart Assoc., Don Weisman- Am. Heart Assoc., Sam Barrett, Jr.- LU675 Bus. Agent

The Plumbers and Pipefitters UA Local 675 along with Lt. Governor Josh Green (who also happens to be an Emergency Room Physician), and representatives from the American Heart Association recently recognized the heroic efforts and quick thinking of retired Local 675 member Jonathan Lee in helping former Local 675 member, Danny Obrero, survive a cardiac arrest incident.

On November 4, 2021, Mr. Obrero suffered what was later to be diagnosed as cardiac arrest while participating in a golf tournament with Lee. Aware of what had just occurred, Lee immediately began administering CPR/First Aid from previous training he had received as a member of Local 675. With no AED on-site, Lee knew that every second was critical. As he continued to administer CPR, another good samaritan who was also golfing that day and just happened to notice what was going on, came over to offer additional assistance. This good samaritan just happened to be retired City and County EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), Donald Yata.

Together Lee and Yata continued to administer CPR/First Aid until first responders arrived and transported Mr. Obrero to Wahiawa General Hospital where he later recovered and was eventually released. Hospital staff stated that Mr. Obrero would likely not have survived had CPR not been administered as quickly and aggressively as it was. Mr. Obrero is undergoing therapy and recovering more and more every day.

Heart Disease is the number one cause of death in Hawai`i. Of the more than 350,000 cardiac arrests that occur outside the hospital each year in the U.S., only about 1 in 10 survive to hospital discharge, according to American Heart Association statistics.

February was Heart Health Month. In recognition of Heart Health Month and in recognition of the heroic efforts by Jonathan Lee and Donald Yata, Local 675 would like to extend a heartfelt mahalo to both of these individuals for their quick yet calm thinking, and to Mr. Obrero, a full and fast recovery. We look forward to seeing you back out on the golf course soon.