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Where Do Our Dues Go? A Closer Look at IBEW Local 1186’s 2024 LM‑2 Filing

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

Every year, unions are required to file an LM‑2 report with the U.S. Department of Labor. Local 1186’s 2024 filing (file #046‑158) shows more than $27 million in total disbursements. Within that, several categories stand out, especially travel and conference spending.

Major Travel & Hotel Costs

Some of the most striking expenses include:

  • $187,042 at the Grand Hyatt Kauai for a single “9th District Progress Meeting”

  • Airline spending:

    • ~$77,000 on American Airlines

    • ~$51,000 on Hawaiian Airlines

    • ~$37,000 on Delta

  • Car rentals: ~$20,000 with Hertz

  • Additional hotel costs, including:

    • Sheraton Waikiki (~$19,000 for apprentice graduation)

    • Multiple Hilton properties

These are significant amounts, and they add up fast. When members are struggling with Hawaiʻi’s crushing cost of living, six‑figure conference bills naturally raise eyebrows.

Community Contributions: Modest but Meaningful

On the positive side, the LM‑2 shows a range of charitable donations and sponsorships, generally between $5,000 and $10,000 each. These include:

  • Kapiolani Health Foundation ($10,000 pledge)

  • Honolulu Firefighters Foundation ($9,000)

  • March of Dimes

  • Boy Scouts Aloha Council

  • Public Schools of Hawaiʻi Foundation

  • Korean War Veterans groups

  • AFL‑CIO community programs

These contributions reflect values we can all stand behind, supporting families, education, health, and labor solidarity. But when a single hotel invoice exceeds many of these donations combined, it’s fair to ask whether our spending aligns with our priorities.

The Real Question: Are We Getting the Best Value for Our Dues?

This isn’t about attacking anyone. It’s about transparency and responsible stewardship.

Members deserve to know:

  • Are expensive conferences the best use of our dues?

  • Could some of this money be redirected toward member benefits, training, job protection, or reducing dues pressure?

  • Are there more cost‑effective ways to participate in district‑level meetings and national events?

These are reasonable questions — especially when every dollar matters for working families in Hawaiʻi.

See the Numbers for Yourself

Nothing here is speculation. The full report is public and available to anyone:

Transparency isn’t a threat to a strong union; it’s the foundation of one.

Your Voice Matters

The Members First 1186 team is encouraging open, honest discussion. What do these numbers mean to you? How do you feel about where dues are going? What changes would you like to see?

Stay safe out there, brothers and sisters. The conversation starts with us.

 
 
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