Aqua-Aston workers win labor ruling

Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew workers who have been engaged in a yearlong battle for the right to decide whether to unionize earned a small victory Tuesday.

Administrative Law Judge Mara-Louise Anzalon ruled Tuesday that Aqua-Aston Hospitality executives violated four National Labor Relations Act practices. Anzalon found that Aqua-Aston unlawfully disciplined two employees for talking about the union on work time. She noted that company mangers intimidated and threatened workers in employee meetings.

“It’s been tough coming to work when management is threatening and intimidating us. Knowing that we are fighting for our rights keeps me going. I’m happy about this ruling. I hope that management will finally obey the law,” said Tino Fabro, who works in the Aston Waikiki Beach housekeeping department.

LeeAnn Isobe, the company’s senior director of marketing, did not respond to a request for a comment from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Aqua-Aston has been ordered to post notices in both hotels informing employees that Aqua-Aston violated the National Labor Relations Act and that workers have a right to organize for a fair process to decide whether to unionize, free from intimidation and threats.

Since workers began fighting for the right to consider unionizing in February 2015, some 22 labor charges have been filed against Aqua-Aston.

Eight of the charges were settled in April 2015.

Hawaii called worst state to make a living

Moneyrates.com said Wednesday that for the sixth consecutive year Hawaii has taken the title of worst state to make a living.

The personal finance website said Wyoming was the best state to make a living.

The Moneyrates.com study looked at cost of living, workplace safety and state taxes.

“The cost of living in Hawaii is more than two-thirds higher than the national average, which is a big reason it finished last in this survey,” Moneyrates.com said.

The five best states to make a living were Wyoming, Washington, Virginia, North Dakota and Texas. The five worst states were Hawaii, Oregon, West Virginia, Maine and California.

ON THE MOVE

Starn O’Toole law firm has promoted the following two attorneys:

>> Mateo Caballero to senior litigation counsel. He focuses on administrative law and complex commercial litigation.

>> Christina N. Ohira to senior real estate counsel. She focuses on hotels and resorts, real estate law and commercial transactions, as well as business structure and operations.

Hawaiian Telcom has promoted Kerry Won to director of field operations, where he will oversee repair and construction as well as technical installation. He was previously a senior manager for safety and compliance. Won began his career as a utility technician in 1986, installing the new telephony equipment in military bases in Hawaii.

Hale Kipa has announced Laura Brucia Hamm as its new chief operating officer. She has 20 years of experience with human services and nonprofit organizations, including serving as executive director of PATCH from 2014 to 2015 and chief executive officer at the Center for Families.