When Thomas Titsworth walked into the hiring hall of IBEW Local 1186, he wasn’t just looking for work. He was looking for a lifeline. At fifty years old, unemployed, and standing at a crossroads, he did what determined workers do when life demands a reset: he kept moving. He had a CDL license, years of driving experience with local companies, and a lifetime of taking on whatever hard work came his way. He didn’t know much about the trades or construction, but he knew trucks,

Chad Dela Vega never expected to find his future in the electrical trade. At twenty eight, he was drifting between jobs that kept the lights on but never lit anything inside him. Hawaiʻi can feel small when you are standing still, watching other people move forward while you wonder where you belong. Chad wanted something real, something he could build with his own hands, even if he did not yet know what that was. Tommy Titsworth was the one who nudged him toward a new directi

We are MEMBERS FIRST. Not administration first. You promised to reduce union dues. Instead, our hard-earned dues money has been overspent and mismanaged — including a former employee embezzling over $44,000 in member dues payments between 2018–2021, with falsified records uncovered only by an internal audit. While that money disappeared, we’re also watching givebacks at the bargaining table — concessions on hard-won contract language that past administrations fought tooth-and

Some people in the current administration love to talk about “how we can make our union stronger.” But complaining and crying about problems while taking zero action gets us exactly that—ZERO results. That’s not who we are. Our team has been actively discussing real ways to keep members involved and engaged. One idea we’re moving forward with is coordinating a Brother/Sisterhood Night—a chance for us to come together in solidarity, get to know one another, and build the kind

Rory “Nalu” Jones’s story begins with the hum of job sites and the rustle of blueprints in his hands long before most kids even knew what they wanted to be. As a second‑generation electrician, he grew up in the industry—literally. At nine years old, he was already standing beside his father, learning how to read plans and understand the logic behind every line. By ten, he was sitting in CPR classes his father taught, absorbing lessons about safety and responsibility that woul

Brothers and Sisters, My name is Steve Holt. I am a general foreman with A1A and have proudly been a member for 37 years. During this time, I have witnessed our union leadership come and go. I have seen teams that successfully fulfilled their responsibilities as our duly elected representatives. However, I have also observed those who prioritized popularity over making tough decisions. This has often led to governance that did not serve our best interests, such as the reducti

WRONG OR RIGHT - TRUST IS ONLY BUILT WITH TRANSPARENCY In every community and every organization, trust is built — or broken — not by what people say, but by what they consistently do. Words can be polished, rehearsed, and strategically crafted. Actions, on the other hand, reveal character with a clarity that cannot be faked. Ethics is not a slogan. It is not a campaign promise. It is not a catchphrase deployed when convenient. Ethics is a pattern of behavior, demonstrated ov

Charles Tanabe was born into the electrical trade long before he ever picked up a tool. A third-generation electrician, he was raised in a family whose history was intertwined with Local 1186 from the very beginning. For the Tanabe family, the union was more than a workplace. It was a tradition, a responsibility, and a source of pride passed down like a treasured heirloom. From childhood, Charles watched his father and grandfather help neighbors, friends, and families across

Election season is approaching for IBEW Local 1186, and with ballots scheduled to be mailed out in June, now is the time to make sure your contact information is accurate everywhere it matters. Many members don’t realize that updating your address or phone number in one place does not update it across the entire union system. Each department maintains its own records, which means you must update your information with each one individually to ensure you receive your ballot an

Gary Germano grew up surrounded by the electrical trade long before he ever imagined joining it. He spent his childhood in the neighborhoods of Kaimuki and Waimanalo where he watched his relatives who work as electricians, operators, groundmen, linemen, communication Specialist and saw how the trade could support a family and build a future. Those early impressions stayed with him, even as he tried to carve his own path. After graduating from University Laboratory High scho

It’s easy to throw out vague questions meant to distract and frustrate. That isn’t leadership — it’s avoidance. Members have asked what our approach would look like, and we understand why. After years of uncertainty, people want clarity, direction, and a plan that actually delivers. The truth is simple: results matter. For nearly two decades, too many contracts have failed to keep pace with Hawaiʻi’s rising cost of living. Wages have lagged behind real needs. Benefits have be

Brothers and Sisters of IBEW Local 1186 – We Need Transparency Now on Contract Talks Aloha, ohana. There are growing talks circulating among our signatory contractors and members that the current administration is not communicating effectively — or simply does not have an updated contract ready to show — when contractors ask about the status of new contract negotiations. This isn’t just a paperwork delay or a minor administrative hiccup. It’s a serious breakdown that directl

Ted Kaneda, (Second from left), Bronze Medal at the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Competition Ted Kaneda never set out to become an electrician. In 2002, he left home for Oregon State University, following his cousin Charles Tanabe and planning to become a teacher. His father owned a restaurant, and teaching felt like a stable, meaningful path, one that would let him build a good life while serving others. But when Ted returned home in 2005, reality hit hard. Many of his friends who had be

Local unions exist to embody the spirit and mission of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, yet there are concerns that the local’s current practices do not align with the IBEW’s foundational Declaration of Principles or its stated objectives . These principles emphasize justice, solidarity, fair labor standards, and the elevation of members’ well‑being. When measured against these standards, several gaps become clear. 1. Lack of Effective Organizing and Rep

The pay stub tells a story that’s become far too familiar in Hawaiʻi. It belongs to a former Local 1186 brother, someone who grew up here, trained here, worked here, and wanted nothing more than to build a life in the islands he calls home. But the math stopped working. The cost of living kept climbing (32% over the last 10 years). Union wages stayed flat. And eventually, he had to make the heartbreaking decision to pack up his life and leave. Today, he’s working under IBEW

Supporting our community has always been part of who we are, whether it’s helping charities, backing first responders, supporting schools, honoring veterans, or standing with labor allies. Those contributions matter, and they strengthen the foundation of union labor in Hawaiʻi. But when we look at the bigger picture of how our dues are spent, some numbers in the union’s public 2024 LM‑2 report raise important questions about priorities and transparency. A $27 Million Snapshot

It’s easy to throw out vague, u nanswerable questions, especially when the goal is to confuse, frustrate, or distract. But that isn’t leadership. That’s deflection. Over the past few weeks, many members have asked what our plan will be if elected. The concern is real, and the fear of the unknown is understandable. We hear you. But the real issue isn’t about predictions. It’s about results. For nearly two decades, too many contracts have fallen short of what our members deserv

Another Broken Promise: Why Members Are Demanding Real Transparency Fellow IBEW Local 1186 members — Our team at MembersFirst 1186 believes that transparency isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of trust in any union, and it’s something every dues‑paying member deserves without hesitation. That’s why what happened recently should concern all of us. A Simple Request for Transparency On March 21st, we submitted a formal and respectful request to the official union email address

Political endorsements are a form of campaigning. Recent Local 1186 newsletters have included language that appears endorsement-like. This underscores the need for union leaders to remain neutral in official communications to maintain member trust. Why This Matters for Local 1186 Local 1186 represents members with diverse political views. Because of this diversity, union leadership is expected to remain neutral when acting in an official capacity . Members rely on leaders to

For too long, our members have waited for a fair and competitive contract—one that delivers meaningful gains rather than stagnation, with no new money introduced and real losses to our earning power and benefits over time. Our union deserves strong, proactive leadership that puts your interests first, fights for what we earn, and delivers real, tangible results for every member. At Members First 1186, we commit to the following priorities if elected: Consistent monitoring and