The Story of Charles Tanabe: A Legacy Wired Through Generations

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 the islands, learning early that the trade was about more than wires and circuits. It was about service.

Some of his earliest memories were of riding along with his father to help people who needed electrical work but could not afford it. One of those families included Jerry Lopez, the legendary surfboard shaper. Charles remembered helping wire Jerry’s shed in Kula on Maui and how grateful the family was because his father had helped them years before. Those moments taught him that the real reward in the trade was not the paycheck but the feeling of making someone’s life better.

Even with that foundation, Charles did not immediately follow the family path. He earned a scholarship to study forestry on the mainland through a program designed to bring Hawai‘i students into environmental fields. After college, he continued exploring different career possibilities that served the community. He tested for law enforcement, tried the EMT program, and looked into agencies such as CHP and the San Diego Police Department. Each experience taught him something new about himself and the kind of work he wanted to pursue. During that time, his father called to let him know the trade was busy back in Hawai‘i and encouraged him to think about joining the union. Ultimately, Charles realized that what he wanted most was to come home and build something tangible.

When he returned to Hawai‘i, he entered the electrical trade on his own terms. He was not forced into it; he chose it. He started as an expeditor in the shop, moving materials and learning the basics. He stayed in the shop for months before finally getting out into the field. Two years later, he entered the apprenticeship program, beginning a five‑year journey that required both classroom education and ten thousand hours of labor. His first major project was Trump Tower, and from there he stayed with WASA, the company that had employed generations of his family. WASA has always felt like home, and Charles appreciates the legacy his family built there.

Charles entered the industry in 2005 and spent sixteen years working on deck work, underground systems, and major projects across the islands. He contributed to government facilities such as Schofield, Safeway Beretania, the University of Hawai‘i, and the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Each of these projects exposed him to different environments, expectations, and pressures, giving him a deeper understanding of the trade and the demands members face every day. Whether coordinating with multiple trades, navigating tight deadlines, or troubleshooting complex systems, Charles saw firsthand the challenges that workers carry on their shoulders. Those experiences shaped his respect for the craft and strengthened his commitment to the people who make our union strong.

His personal life was just as meaningful. Charles had known his now wife, Tehani, since third grade, when he first moved from Maui. They grew up together, played sports, and stayed connected through soccer and paddling. They did not start dating seriously until after college, but when Charles returned from San Diego, they reconnected during a paddling event in Maile. He recognized her immediately, and their relationship began again. They married in 2009, and Charles finished his apprenticeship in 2013. Tehani worked in a similar industry with Nordic PCL, and together they built a life grounded in shared values and a love for sports. Today they have a full house with two daughters and four dogs. While their daughters showed little interest in construction, both have followed their parents into athletics.

As Charles grew in his career, he also grew in his desire to advocate for workers. His turning point came during a project at the Hampton Inn at Ka Makana Ali‘i, where he witnessed firsthand the mistreatment of union members. He saw arrogance, a lack of remorse, and a disregard for fairness. That experience pushed him to get involved and represent the people who did not always have a voice. He believed deeply that no one should be treated differently and that everyone deserved accurate pay and respect. Charles confronted the problems directly. He challenged issues related to overtime and wages, and he made sure workers knew they could come to him if something was wrong. He understood that silence only allowed the problems to continue.

His commitment to fairness inspired him to run for union office. He ran in 2017, again in 2020, and now in 2026. His goal is simple: to give workers a voice and to fix the issues he had seen firsthand. He believed that leadership should protect members, not exploit them, and he wanted to be part of the solution.

Today, Charles Tanabe stands as a man shaped by legacy, strengthened by experience, and driven by a deep sense of responsibility. He honors the generations before him while fighting for the generations to come. His journey was not a straight line, but every step brought him closer to the place he was meant to be. He became an electrician not just because it was in his blood, but because it became his purpose: to serve, to build, and to stand up for the people who keep Hawai‘i running.