PIPELINE TO THE PLUMBERS UNION:
CONNECTING THE NEXT GENERATION TO THE TRADES
Twelve Students from Aiea, Mililani, Waialua, Kailua, Leilehua, and Pearl City High Schools spent their Spring Break exploring future career paths through the 3rd Annual Pipeline Program, held March 16-20, 2026. Throughout the week, students participated in hands-on training, learned practical skills, and gained exposure to careers in the Plumbing & Pipefitting trades.
On the first day of the program, the students had the opportunity to hear from Union leaders, Sam Barrett Jr. (Business Manager), Matt Brady (President), Benji Panis (Vice President), Agents Sheung Man Wong, Chad Kamibayashi & Kika Bukoski, Director of External Affairs along with Gregg Serikaku (PAMCA Executive Director) and Retiree Club President Al Tivera and Members, Jonathan Lee, Donovan Lewis, Ernie Theodore, and Willy Kanno who shared their experiences and insights.
Throughout the week, participants gained hands-on experience and explored potential career paths within Local 675. The Pipeline Program gave students a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with reallife practice, while gaining a deeper knowledge for work performed by skilled trades professionals. By the end of the program, students walked away with new knowledge, practical experience, and a greater understanding of the different career opportunities available.
The final day of the program concluded with a ceremony recognizing the students' successful completion of the Pipeline Program. Parents, the Training Team, Union leaders, Contractors, PAMCA, Trust Fund, Training Instructors, Local 675 Retiree Club and the many volunteers who contributed throughout the week gathered to celebrate the students' accomplishments. Each participant received a Certificate of Completion; they were recognized for their commitment to spending their Spring Break exploring the plumbing & pipefitting industry and developing valuable hands-on skills. The ceremony provided an opportunity for students to reflect on their experiences, thank the instructors and volunteers who guided them, and share their achievements with their parents. It was a great way to end a week of learning, growth & career exploration.
The success of the program was made possible through the hard work and dedication of the Training Team led by Head Training Coordinator Dean Kobashigawa, Training Coordinators Ronden Numasaki, Westin Alcover, Troy Taniguchi and Training Staff Suzette Barrios, which spent countless hours planning and coordinating the week's activities. Their efforts were supported by numerous volunteers, including Contractors (Commercial Plumbing Inc., Furuta Plumbing, HI-Tech Plumbing, Oahu Air Conditioning, Island Controls, Island Wide A/C Service, Checkpoint Fire Service, Honolulu Fire Protection, Dorvin D. Leis Co., Inc., and Johnson Controls) Union leaders, Training Instructors, and Retirees who generously shared their time, expertise, and knowledge with the students. Together, they created a meaningful and engaging learning environment that showcased the opportunities available within Local 675.
