MEDIA RELEASE

Sen. Gil Kahele has received endorsements from the Hawaii Association of Realtors, IBEW Local 1357, Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council and United Public Workers Union.

These three endorsements and the support of the Hawaii Association of Realtors, continues to carry momentum into our campaign and show continuing support from a broad range of Hawaiiʻs working people.

The Hawaii Association of Realtors is the largest professional trade organization in the State of Hawaii. Founded in 1968, HAR has 8,300 members who are active real estate licensees involved in all aspects related to the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of real property in Hawaii.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1357 represents thousands of telephone workers throughout the state. Re-chartered in 1970 as Local 1357, the union works with Hawaiian Telecom to provide an array of telecommunications services to Hawaiiʻs families and businesses.

The Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council (HBCTC) was first chartered Oct. 1, 1958 and has served for more than 53 years. Its’ membership is comprised of Hawaii’s various Construction Trade Unions. At the very core of its existence lies the primary mission and commitment to providing Hawaii’s working men and women with hope for a better tomorrow.

The United Public Workers Union (UPW) is the third largest union in the state with 13,582 members. The origins of the UPW trace its start to 1944 in Hilo where road workers organized for better working conditions. Today the UPW is the only union in Hawaii that represents members in both the public and private sectors.

Kahele also has received endorsements from the ILWU, HSTA, UHPA, Ironworkers, Laborers Local 368, Sierra Club, Hawaii Association of Realtors, IBEW Local 1357, Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council and the United Public Workers Union.

“I am humbled and honored to accept the endorsement of the Hawaii Association of Realtors, IBEW Local 1357, Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council and the United Public Workers Union. These endorsements reflect my strong support for HawaiiÊ»s working class citizens both in the public and private sector. The economy is the No. 1 issue in this campaign and putting people back to work in East Hawaii is my top goal as a legislator. A strong economy creates healthy communities and as a legislator I play a vital role in that success. If elected, I will continue the mission I started less than two years ago when I took office which remains the cornerstone of my campaign, making government work for the people,” Kahele said.