Advocacy
Amplifying Your Voice in Construction Policy
Advocacy & Action
Advocating for Hawaii's Construction Industry and Free Enterprise
The ABC Hawaii Advocacy Team is dedicated to representing our members, workers, apprentices, and the merit shop philosophy across all levels of government. Through legislative sessions, hearings, and public events, they actively advocate for policies that benefit Hawaii’s construction industry. The team also educates the community on critical legislation, election candidates, and voting issues, driving grassroots campaigns—such as letter-writing initiatives, phone drives, and legislative visits—to address industry challenges. Additionally, political fundraising efforts support candidates and policies that promote a strong construction sector.
ABC Hawaii takes a comprehensive approach to advocacy, championing the merit-based construction industry at local, state, and federal levels. This includes monitoring and responding to the actions of special interest groups and government agencies that impact our industry, ensuring members retain autonomy in managing their businesses.
A key goal is to inform Hawaii’s lawmakers about the vital role of the merit-based construction industry in strengthening the state’s economy, demonstrating its far-reaching benefits for all island communities.

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Your Voice Matters
Advocate for Hawaii's Construction Industry
Your active involvement plays a vital role in shaping the laws and policies that impact us all. Whether it’s writing letters, making calls, or meeting with your legislative representatives, every action you take makes a difference. Lawmakers value your insights and appreciate hearing directly from the community they serve.
Your story has the power to influence perspectives and drive meaningful change. By sharing how legislative decisions affect you, your employees, and the wider community, you help create a more informed and compassionate decision-making process. The ABC Action App makes it easier than ever to share your experiences and concerns directly with policymakers. Use this tool to ensure your voice is heard, shaping a future that reflects the priorities and values of our industry and community.
Uniting for Construction Progress
Fostering Partnerships & Supporting Construction Advocacy
ABC Hawaii members recognize the challenges the construction industry faces, often due to overly strict government regulations. By collaborating with industry partners and the community, we strive to educate local decision-makers about the real-world effects their policies have on the hardworking individuals in Hawaii’s construction sector.
Strengthening Alliances
Our advocacy efforts span a variety of initiatives, from pushing for increased funding for state apprenticeship programs to opposing policies that unfairly target non-union (merit shop) workers. We also support legislation empowering local governments to reject biased Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). ABC Hawaii’s Government Affairs agenda is focused on strengthening the voice of ABC, championing the merit shop philosophy, and promoting free enterprise. We work tirelessly to shape a regulatory and legislative landscape that reflects the principles of fairness, growth, and pragmatic solutions for Hawaii’s construction industry.
PLAs: Limiting Fairness and Elevating Costs in Construction
What is a Project Labor Agreement (PLA)?
Project Labor Agreements: Unpacking Fairness, Costs, and Community Impact in Construction
Project Labor Agreements bring to light several critical issues in the construction industry related to fairness, cost, and community involvement. By prioritizing certain labor groups over others, PLAs have the potential to increase project costs, limit local employment opportunities, and impose undue restrictions on contractors and workers alike.
A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is a contentious type of agreement that can prevent contractors and their skilled workforce from participating in and securing construction projects. These agreements often bar workers from non-union, or “merit shop,” backgrounds from engaging in projects for which they are perfectly suited, leading to discrimination claims and unnecessary financial implications.
The Impact of PLAs on Construction Costs and Competition
PLAs are known to inflate the costs of construction projects by eliminating the healthy competition that typically leads to more favorable pricing and quality. By favoring certain labor groups, these agreements can increase project expenses significantly, estimates suggest by 10-30%, due to reduced competition.
Exclusion of Non-Union Workers and Apprenticeships
PLAs often exclude skilled workers, veterans, and those enrolled in state-recognized apprenticeship programs not affiliated with unions, denying them critical on-the-job training opportunities. This exclusion impacts individual career paths and affects family and community stability.
Key Statistics and Considerations
With a significant portion of the construction workforce operating outside of unions, PLAs that require a union-only labor force have many projects to bypass the local workforce entirely. This exclusionary approach disadvantages the majority of local contractors and small businesses, leading to higher costs for public projects funded by taxpayers. It also imposes restrictions on worker choice regarding union membership, benefits, and pensions.