Local 675 Delegates Attend 41st United Association General Convention

Hawaii Delegation L-R Bottom Row: Akoni Kashima, Sheung Man Wong, Keith Bermudez, Kepa Resentes, Jonathan Lee, Royce Akiona, Kawika Johnson, Troy Taniguchi, Chuck Shima, L-R Top Row: Dean Luna, Westin Alcover, Chad Kamibayashi, Ronden Numasaki, Chris Ortogero, Frank Wilhelm, Scott Saito-Takabayashi, Sam Barrett Jr., Leo Agonias, Benji Panis, Doug Kekona, Matt Brady, Troy Sakamoto, Dean Kobashigawa, George Bocobo.

The 41st United Association (UA) General Convention was held in San Diego, California from August 17-21, 2026. Local 675 had 24 delegates in attendance, along with more than 4,000 other delegates from across the United States and Canada. This was the largest gathering of delegates in UA history.

General President Mark McManus and the General Executive Board were elected to a five-year term. Delegates had the opportunity to discuss and debate 82 resolutions covering issues that affect our Union and our members.

Some of the main topics included growing membership, creating more work opportunities, strengthening apprenticeship and training programs, and recruiting the next generation. It was a great opportunity for our delegates to connect with fellow UA members, share ideas, and take part in discussions that will help shape the future of our Union.

Scott Saito-Takabayashi, a first-time delegate, said "It was an honor to be selected to attend the 41st Annual UA General Convention. It was great to see how organized, unified and professional our UA is. The experience taught me that misinformation and not participating is the real problem. Also, our UA cares about the mental health of all its members. The Convention made me prouder to be a Local 675 Member!" Kepa Resentes shared "As a first time delegate, the 41st Convention was an incredible experience and gave me a much broader perspective of our organization. Seeing the sheer number of members represented, along with the financial strength and long-term planning of the UA, reinforced how fortunate we are to be part of such a strong union. It was eye-opening, and I think every member would benefit from learning more about the UA's presence, resources, and the work being done to protect and advance our trade." Kawika Johnson a first-time delegate, appreciated how "The 41st United Association General Convention brought together Brothers and Sisters from across the UA and was a powerful reminder of the strength and reach of our Union. The experience reinforced the importance of trusting in our leadership, holding on to the traditions that connect us, and showing genuine care and aloha for our Brothers and Sisters." Royce Akiona added "I had a great time at the convention. It was very informative, we had the opportunity to gain valuable insight from listening to our leaders and guest speakers of the United Association, expressing the importance of the UA Constitution and the different perspectives on issues across the country that are important to our members. I now have a better understanding of where we are headed in the future as a union. Overall, I'm grateful for the opportunity to attend such an important event, I'm looking forward to seeing what's ahead and being a part of that journey."

Attending his third convention, Chuck Shima said "It was the best convention of the three that I attended. To hear about the growth of the United Association with over 410,000+ members today, was awesome. The work that it takes to grow and maintain an organization of this size is impressive. Also, the delegates that represented Local 675, who were probably the best dressed and maybe the most popular of all 4,000 delegates, was cool to see. Mahalos to Local 675 for the opportunity to serve as a delegate for this great event."

Published: Oct 29, 2026
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