Ironworkers, Teamsters Back Keith Amemiya For Honolulu Mayor

Amemiya announces more union support as his opponent secures the backing of former candidate Colleen Hanabusa.
By /
Reading time: 1 minute.

Honolulu mayoral candidate Keith Amemiya has added several more endorsements to a long list of labor union supporters.

Honolulu Mayoral Candidate Keith Amemiya with left, wife Bonny Amemiya and son, Christopher Amemiya at the corner of Punchbowl and Beretania Street. August 8, 2020
Keith Amemiya has attracted the most campaign donations and union endorsements. Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

On Monday, his campaign announced backing from Ironworkers Local 625, the Hawaii Iron Workers’ Stabilization Fund, and the Hawaii Teamsters Local 996, which represents nearly 7,000 members in industries such as TheBus and TheHandi-Van, UPS, KCAA Preschools and Queen’s Medical Center.

Those groups join endorsements Amemiya scooped up before the primary including the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the United Public Workers as well as groups representing plumbers, painters and longshore workers. Amemiya also received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii.

“I’m immensely humbled and grateful to receive the support of our unions that represent our working class families,” Amemiya said in a statement.

Amemiya will face off with retired television executive Rick Blangiardi in the November general election. The two political outsiders were the top two vote-getters in the Aug. 8 primary.

Also on Monday, Blangiardi received the endorsement of third-place finisher Colleen Hanabusa. Blangiardi is backed by the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers.

Help power our public service journalism

As a local newsroom, Civil Beat has a unique public service role in times of crisis.

That’s why we’re committed to a paywall-free website and subscription-free content, so we can get vital information out to everyone, from all communities.

We are deploying a significant amount of our resources to covering the Maui fires, and your support ensures that we can pivot when these types of emergencies arise.

Make a gift to Civil Beat today and help power our nonprofit newsroom.

Contribute

About the Author

Top Stories

Gearing Up: What Lahaina Fire Survivors Should Wear When Reentering The Burn Zone Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Gearing Up: What Lahaina Fire Survivors Should Wear When Reentering The Burn Zone

Bidding Deadline For The Last Major Honolulu Rail Contract Is Extended Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Bidding Deadline For The Last Major Honolulu Rail Contract Is Extended

UH Economists Give ‘Initial Take’ On Maui’s Long Road To Recovery Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

UH Economists Give ‘Initial Take’ On Maui’s Long Road To Recovery

Honolulu Police Chief Had A Good 1st Year But There’s ‘Room To Grow,’ Eval Says Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Honolulu Police Chief Had A Good 1st Year But There’s ‘Room To Grow,’ Eval Says

Catherine Toth Fox: Hawaii Should Follow This Island Nation’s Lead To Protect Our Waters Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2018

Catherine Toth Fox: Hawaii Should Follow This Island Nation’s Lead To Protect Our Waters

Green Promises West Maui Residents Won’t Be Displaced By Tourism’s Return David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Green Promises West Maui Residents Won’t Be Displaced By Tourism’s Return