Business Manager's Message
Sam Barrett Jr.
Aloha Members,
Congratulations to our 'Imi Loa Foundation and United Association (UA) 2026 scholarship recipients! We wish you all the best and continued success.
Due to the possibility of severe weather, the Labor Unity Picnic was cancelled. Our thoughts go out to those who were affected by Hurricanes Lala and Lowell. We hope everyone stays safe.
We welcome Top Notch A/C & Mechanical to Local 675 as a new signatory contractor.
The General Election will be held on November 3, 2026. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters around October 16, 2026. Check your mail for your ballots and don't forget to vote.
Training held its first apprenticeship classes in the new facility on August 3, 2026. Planning for the next phase is already underway. A blessing was held on July 31, 2026, for Union and Management Trustees, Training Staff and Instructors, Trust Fund Office, JATC, and a Retiree Officer. Kahu Shon Kihewa performed the blessing.
Local 675 will be hosting an Open House at the new Training Facility in Aiea on Saturday, January 9, 2027. Members will be able to tour the facility and get a firsthand look at its updated features. More information to come, invitations will be mailed to members soon.
In August, we attended the 41st UA General Convention in San Diego, where we connected with Local Unions from across the United States and Canada. Congratulations to UA President Mark McManus, Derrick Kualapai, General Secretary- Treasurer, Michael Pleasant, Assistant General President and the General Officers of the UA who were elected to a five year term. Discussions focused on strengthening training and apprenticeship programs and supporting members across the trades. The convention also highlighted the importance of solidarity and passing the skilled trades on to future generations.
We attended the IAPMO Conference in September, which celebrated IAPMO's 100th anniversary. We collaborated with industry leaders, including engineers, contractors and manufacturers and gained valuable insights. The conference also provided important information on emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in the industry.
After careful review with professional advisors, the Board of Trustees have approved the benefit unit for the Plan Credit Year ending August 31, 2026, to be increased from the base amount of $75.00 to $120.00 which is great news for our members.
Holiday Dinner invitations have been mailed. Keep an eye out for yours - we look forward to seeing you there!
Lastly, although he is not a member, I would like to congratulate and thank Mark Suzuki, Vice President of Commercial Plumbing, on his retirement. Mark has worked in the plumbing industry for more than 40 years at Heide & Cook and Commercial Plumbing and has also served as a management trustee on the Trust Fund for nearly 20 years. Mark has done so much for Local 675, our members, and the Trust Fund. He helped guide the Trust Fund through important decisions, supported new ideas, and played a big part in helping the Trust Fund grow and positively impact the lives of our members and their families. Thank you, Mark, for all that you have done, and congratulations on a well-deserved retirement!
In Solidarity,
Sam Barrett Jr.
