News

HGEA has been and continues to be in contact with the employers to resolve ongoing health and safety issues at the Princess Victoria Kamamalu Building at 1010 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI. Members are reporting an increase in days when the building air conditioning is not functioning properly. This typically happens on Mondays and on Tuesdays following a three-day weekend, but this problem also exists on other days of the week. With record high temperatures already being reported this year, a permanent solution is urgently needed. There are more than 135 HGEA members and others working in this building.

Temperatures in the building on May 28 at 7:49 a.m. were 84.8 degrees. The Union notified the employer of the problem that same day; however, the next Monday, June 3, the building was again not cooled when employees arrived for work. Temperatures on Monday, June 3, were recorded at 82 degrees, 81 degrees, 83.9 and 86.3 degrees on floors 1, 2 and 7, between 10:20 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The Kamamalu building has windows that DO NOT open and lack tint or reflective window treatments to keep the building cool. There are other ongoing building problems that HGEA is seeking a remedy from the employer to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for the employees. If you have been affected by these conditions, or if you have questions or issues to report about the Kamamalu Building, contact the HGEA Member Service Center at 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.