Construction Union Votes Out Leadership

HONOLULU -- Members of one of the state's most important construction unions have voted out their leadership amid suspicion that workers' pension funds were mismanaged.

The Operating Engineers Union Local 3 represents more than 2,000 heavy equipment and crane operators. They were upset with a big increase in union dues and a pension shortfall that required them to give up nearly all of their upcoming raise.

In voting last week, they elected a slate of new officers promising to win back the members trust.

"It's a very, very good feeling. It feels good for me being the first time elected into office at a large margin," new Local 3 board member Kalani Mahoe said. "The membership has spoken and they put their trust and faith in my hands as well as the rest of the people behind me."

There may be a challenge by another slate to the election results. However, members said the dispute is purely internal and does not threaten to slow down the current boom in construction.