IBEW Hawaii

09/19/2026

Day 5

💜🩵

In Hawaii, somebody always knows somebody.

The guy with you on the jobsite everyday might be somebody’s uncle. Somebody’s dad or Papa. Somebody you went to school with. Somebody you talked story with last weekend.

That’s why the Hawaii numbers we shared this week matter so much to all of us. What numbers?

Nearly four people in Hawaii die by su***de every week. More than three out of four are men. And every single one leaves people behind who knew and loved them so much.

If you could remember one thing from our entire series this week it would be - no be shame to check on them.

If they tell you they’re good but something still feels off, ask again.

Yesterday, after hearing Braddah Donn’s story, hopefully we can all get a little better about not being shame to say when WE are the ones who need help, too.

Construction Su***de Prevention Week ends today. Looking out for our people should never end.

So what now? All we need to do is keep checking on your friends/fam. And if somebody finally tells you what’s really going on, stay and listen…sometimes that’s all someone needs.

You never know how much they may have needed someone to ask.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING:

Hawaii CARES: 808-832-3100 where there is local crisis support available 24/7.
You can also call or text 988.

For an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.


***dePreventionWeek

09/18/2026

Day 4

💜🩵

So far this week, we have talked about ways that you can support someone you know that could be struggling with their mental health, or if you yourself are feeling completely overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Today's story is not an easy one to tell because it comes from one of our very own, Brother Donn dela Cruz, whom we all know and love to be our Big Island Business Representative. He very candidly and transparently shares his story which we hope, in turn, can open the narrative to talk about mental health. **TRIGGER WARNING**death mentioned.

His story is heartwrenching, his feelings are valid, and his struggles to this day from something that happened almost three decades ago, are are very real and current. Listen as he talks about his struggles with his own mental health. Thank you, Brother Donn, for not only being vulnerable enough to share your personal struggles, but also for being brave enough to open the narrative and hopefully lessen the stigma of talking about our mental health here in Hawaii, ESPECIALLY for men. We are so grateful for you and glad you found a therapist that you were able to connect with and unpack and process some of the trauma and emotional turmoil you have been experiencing. Thank you, Brother Donn.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING:
Hawaiʻi CARES: 808-832-3100, where local crisis support is available 24/7.

You can also call or text 988.

For an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.


***dePreventionWeek

09/17/2026

Day 3

💜🩵

Yesterday we talked about noticing when someone around you seems a little off...a little different.

But what if YOU are the one who is not okay?

In Hawaii, 3 out of 4 people who die by su***de are men. And we know a lot of men still have a hard time talking about mental health.

Maybe you’re used to being the one everyone depends on. You go to work. You take care of your 'ohana. You handle what needs to be handled. And even when things are getting hard, you keep going because that’s what you’ve always done.

So somebody asks, “You good?”

And you say, “Yeah.”

Sometimes you’re not.

You don’t have to wait until you hit a breaking point to tell somebody. You don’t even have to know how to explain all of it.

Three words.

“I’m not okay” is enough to start the conversation.

And if you’re usually the one checking on everybody else, let somebody check on you for once, too.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING:

Hawaiʻi CARES: 808-832-3100 — local crisis support available 24/7.
You can also call or text 988.
For an immediate life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

***dePreventionWeek

09/16/2026

Day 2

💜🩵 He showed up. He laughed. He said he was tired. So everyone figured he was okay.

That’s the thing about struggling. Sometimes it doesn’t look the way we think it will.

Especially here in Hawaii, where “Howzit?” can get an automatic “good, good” before we even think about the answer ... or a "sup!" can get you a shaka and a smile that you just brush off as the person being good. 🤙🏽

Someone can work beside you all day, talk story at lunch, even go for pau hana drinks, then go home to their family and still be carrying something or a LOT of things that nobody knows about.

You don’t need to diagnose them...that's the part. People think you need to fix or have a solution when you have a friend in distress. You don’t need the perfect words.

Just notice when something feels different.

And instead of stopping at, “Howzit, you good?”

Ask again.

"No, really. You okay?”

Then give them enough time to answer.

Tomorrow, we turn that question around.

**What happens when the person saying “I’m good” is you?**

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING:

Hawaiʻi CARES provides local crisis support 24/7: 808-832-3100

You can also call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

If there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

***dePreventionWeek

09/15/2026

Day 1

💜🩵 These aren’t mainland numbers. This is happening right here at home.

Every week in Hawaiʻi, about four people die by su***de. Three out of four are men.

That could be somebody you work with on the jobsite. Someone from another trade you see when you get there everyday. Your cousin. Your uncle. Your neighbor. One of the dads you see at your kid’s school. The guy talking story and laughing with everybody at the family party.

And you may have no idea what they’re carrying.

That’s why IBEW Local 1186 is recognizing Construction Su***de Prevention Week all week long.

Not just to post statistics. Not just because it’s an awareness week nationwide, but because our industry is losing people and here in Hawaiʻi, where everybody seems to know somebody, every loss is closer to home than we think.

So this week, we’re talking about it.

How to notice when something has changed.

How to really check on somebody.

What to say when you’re worried.

And what to do when the person struggling is you.

Stay with us this week. Share these posts with your crew, your 'ohana, or somebody who might need to see them.

Because sometimes the person who looks completely fine…isn’t.

And we need to get better at noticing.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING:

Hawaiʻi CARES provides local crisis support 24/7: 808-832-3100

You can also call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

If there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

***dePreventionWeek

***dePrevention

09/12/2026

https://ibew1186.org/13th-annual-health-fair-saturday-9-12-26-9am-1-pm/

Aloha brothers and sisters!

It's that time of year again! Our 13th Annual Health Fair is happening tomorrow, Saturday, September 12th from 9 AM-1 PM at our union hall. The event has grown so rapidly since we started it all those years ago. From our Kendama contest to the famed Apprenticeship Competition to HERA's plant and baked goods sale, to all of our amazing vendors and prizes, you don't want to miss out. And we can't forget the free Pokemon cards! Join us with your entire 'ohana tomorrow at the union hall from 9 AM-1 PM. See you there!

It’s that time of year again! Our 13th Annual Health Fair is happening tomorrow, Saturday, September 12th from 9 AM-1 PM at our union hall. The event has grown so rapidly since we started it all those years ago. From our Kendama contest to the famed Apprenticeship Competition to HERA’s plant and...

09/07/2026

https://ibew1186.org/happy-labor-day-2026/
Happy Labor Day! Please see our website for a special message from your Business Manager, Leyton Torda!

09/06/2026

Aloha brothers and sisters, the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council (HBCTC) Labor Day Unity picnic originally scheduled for today at the Aloha Stadium parking lot has been canceled due to impending weather.

Take care and mahalo!

09/05/2026

https://ibew1186.org/sept-8th-kauai-meeting-canceled/
Aloha brothers and sisters,

Due to Hurricane Lowell, Tuesday's Kauai union meeting has been canceled.

Your Kauai Union Meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th at 5:00 PM has been canceled in advance of Hurricane Lowell. Please take care of yourselves and check on your family and friends.

08/23/2026

Aloha brothers and sisters covered under the Inside and Outside Agreement,

The Inside/Outside Agreement has been RATIFIED.

Mahalo to everyone who participated in the process and made their voice heard.

The agreement is officially ratified.

Please see your respective union representative with any questions, see our website for a letter from your Business Manager/Financial Secretary Leyton Torda.

https://ibew1186.org/inside-outside-agreements-ratified/