Community Information

Helping Big Island Residents Keep Their Water Clean

Due to frequent eruptions from Kilauea Volcano, tephra, and small glass volcanic fragments also known as “Pele's Hair” are carried in the wind across the Big Island. These particles can clog rain gutters and contaminate rainwater catchment systems. In partnership with Vibrant Hawaii, a non-profit community organization, IAPMO, and Local 675 members volunteered on Saturday, June 20, 2026, helping 30 families who were affected by the tephra. Local 675's volunteers included Business Manager, Sam Barrett Jr., Business Agents, Matt Brady, Benji Panis, and Chad Kamibayashi and Director of External Affairs, Kika Bukoski, along with Local 675 members from Commercial Plumbing, and Dorvin D. Leis, volunteered their time to support the effort. The team installed guillotine valves onto the resident's existing rainwater catchment systems to help prevent contamination of their water supply by allowing them to flush tephra from their inlet pipes. Read the full story on Big Island Video News: https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2026/06/23/30-volcano-households-impacted-by-tephra-get-catchment-diverters/
(standing l-r) Eddie Freitas, Kamaehu DeRamos, Rhythm Hurlbut, Chris Sagucio, Marc Tavares, Sam Barrett Jr., Lloyd Shirai, Kai Tancayo, David Paoa Jr., Nathan Leboeuf, Josiah Williams (kneeling l-r) Kika Bukoski, Matt Brady, Alex Ching, Jim Teal Jr., Benji Panis, Sherman Martines, Chad Kamibayashi, Rey Gascon, Leo Agonias Jr., CJ Ancheta-Makaneole, Skyelor Ishikawa, Chawn Resureccion
(l-r) Rhythm Hurlbut, Kamaehu DeRamos, Chris Sagucio, Alex Ching, Eddie Freitas, Jim Teal Jr., Marc Tavares
(standing l-r) Lloyd Shirai Jr., Kai Tancayo, David Paoa Jr., Skyelor Ishikawa, Nathan Leboeuf, Josiah Williams, Leo Agonias Jr. (kneeling l-r) Sherman Martines, Chawn Resureccion, CJ Ancheta-Makaneole, Rey Gascon
Published: Aug 16, 2026

Labor of Love

Business Agent Sam Barrett, Jr. beamed with pride when he received on behalf of Local 675,
the "mahalo" artwork from students of Kalihi Elemenary School

Each year the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, Labor Community Services Program chooses a public school to improve their campus through its "Labor of Love" event. This year there were 533 volunteers from various unions who came out on Saturday, January 25th to Kalihi Elementary School.

Kalihi Elementary School Principal, William Grindell mentioned that the heart of the school is the cafeteria where they hold community celebrations and functions, and hold their graduations. The cafeteria received new fans, a new paint job and a new dishwasher among other campus improvements.

Business Manager Val Ceria stated, "With the help from Brother Sam Barrett, Jr., the Union was able to install the much needed dishwasher for the school's cafeteria." Brother Sam added, "Since the installation, Kalihi Elementary was able to convert to metal utensils for the students which will significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastics they go through."

Bus Mgr Val Ceria and Bus Agent Sam Barrett, Jr. attended the Mahalo event at Kalihi Elementary School
for the "Labor of Love" Program sponsored by the Hawaii State AFL-CIO
The total value of the contribution to Kalihi Elementary School was over $130,000. Cathy Lederer who helped organize the event said, "It was amazing to see how much can be accomplished in a few hours when people come together!" Along with Cathy, Randy Perreira, President of the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, thanked the Union Affiliates and everyone who came out and gave back to the community.

Published: April 20th, 2020