The Hawaiʻi Operating Engineers Union Local 3 has endorsed Democrat Sne Patel for Hawaiʻi State House District 14.

According to Patel’s campaign, the union endorsement recognizes “his commitment to rebuilding Lahaina, addressing West Maui’s long term infrastructure needs and creating good paying career opportunities that allow local families to remain in Hawaiʻi.”

“I’m grateful to have the support of the men and women of Operating Engineers Local 3, who represent the kind of highly trained workforce we need as we rebuild Lahaina and invest in West Maui’s future,” Patel said. “These are also good paying careers that give local people an opportunity to build a life, raise a family and stay here at home.”

Patel said that while rebuilding Lahaina remains one of his highest priorities, the work ahead extends throughout West Maui.

“Rebuilding Lahaina is something we have to get right, but many of the challenges facing West Maui existed long before the fire,” the candidate said. “We have infrastructure and community projects that have been talked about for years without the sustained planning, coordination and state resources needed to move them forward. West Maui needs a representative who will consistently make the case for those investments at the State Capitol.”

Long-range planning must include transportation, water, wastewater, utilities, public safety, housing and infrastructure that can support West Maui’s communities for generations, he said.

“For too long, we have often been reacting to problems instead of planning far enough ahead,” Patel said. “We need to be thinking about where our communities will be 10 and 20 years from now, making sure West Maui has a seat at the table early and bringing the resources back to our district to turn plans into projects.”

Patel also emphasized the importance of using a properly trained workforce as Lahaina rebuilds and new infrastructure projects move forward.

“As we rebuild Lahaina and invest across West Maui, we have a responsibility to do the work safely and do it right,” Patel said. “That means having properly trained and qualified people doing the work, maintaining strong construction and safety standards and building infrastructure that is stronger and more resilient for the next generation.”

Patel said expanding access to careers in the skilled trades is also part of addressing Hawaiʻi’s affordability crisis.

“One good job should be enough to live and raise a family in Hawaiʻi,” he said. “Careers in the skilled trades can provide good wages, benefits and long term stability. We need to create more pathways into those careers so our young people do not feel like they have to leave Hawaiʻi to build a future.”

In its endorsement, the Hawaiʻi Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund cited Patel’s support for Hawaiʻi’s construction industry and for construction and development projects that benefit both labor and management. The organization also expressed its desire to work with Patel for the benefit of the people of Hawaiʻi.

Patel’s campaign credited him with spending more than two decades working and serving in West Maui, serving for more than a decade as president of the LahainaTown Action Committee. He also serves on the Economic Recovery Commission, a joint state and county effort focused on restoring economic vitality to Lahaina.

The candidate’s other endorsements include the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, IBEW Local 1260, IBEW Local 1186, Hawaiʻi Teamsters Local 996, Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 630, Sheet Metal Workers Local 293, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 50, Plumbers and Fitters UA Local 675 and other building trades organizations.

Patel has also received support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaiʻi, REALTORS Association of Maui and RPAC, and the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association. He also has drawn support fromthe State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers and the University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly.

Patel is a husband, father of three boys and West Maui small business leader.

Main issues include rebuilding Lahaina, addressing West Maui’s long term infrastructure needs, expanding housing opportunities, strengthening education and workforce development, supporting public safety and creating good paying opportunities that allow local families to remain in Hawaiʻi.

To learn more about Sne Patel for State House District 14, visit www.joinpatel.com

District 14 includes: Kahakuloa, Waihe‘e, portions of Waiehu and Mā‘alaea, Olowalu, Lahaina, Lahainaluna, Kā‘anapali, Māhinahina Camp, Kahana and Honokahua. Candidates include: Patel, Republican Rep. Elle Cochran (incumbent) and Green Party Pāʻele Kiakona of Lahaina.