MAUI, Hawaii - eTradeWire -- The Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA), AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO, has endorsed Green Party candidate Pāʻele Kiakona for Hawaiʻi State House District 14, adding the state's largest public-sector labor union to a growing coalition.

The endorsement reflects growing support among organized labor for Kiakona's advocacy on housing, economic security, and community-led recovery in West Maui. By looking outside the traditional party structure to back a Green Party grassroots organizer, HGEA has shattered political tradition, signaling a paradigm shift that prioritizes consistent, on-the-ground presence and community accountability over partisan labels.

The endorsement follows ILWU Local 142's endorsement of Kiakona last month, bringing together public- and private-sector labor support behind his campaign. Together, HGEA and ILWU have united the state's most powerful public and private-sector labor forces behind Kiakona's community-driven platform.

As West Maui continues its recovery, labor organizations are placing emphasis on housing affordability, economic stability, and local leadership. Kiakona's campaign has vocalized these priorities since entering the race, focusing on:

• Housing Sovereignty: Expanding long-term housing for local residents and addressing the impacts of short-term rentals.
• Economic Justice: Supporting living wages and policies that help working families remain in their communities.
• Community-Led Recovery: Ensuring decisions are guided by residents and local priorities.

"I am deeply grateful to receive the endorsement of HGEA," Kiakona said. "Our county workers, educators, health professionals, and public servants have been the backbone of West Maui's recovery, and I don't take lightly the trust they are placing in this campaign. Receiving support from major public- and private-sector organizations tells me that the fight for working families is bigger than any one party or candidate. I look forward to earning that trust every day by standing up for strong public infrastructure, respected workers, and local families who deserve to stay in the place they call home."

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With endorsements from both HGEA and ILWU, Kiakona continues to build broad support among labor organizations as the election approaches.

About Pāʻele Kiakona:

Pāʻele Kiakona is a Lahaina native, community organizer, and lead advocate for Lahaina Strong. He has been a central figure in Maui's recovery efforts, advocating for housing rights, community-led rebuilding, and the protection of local resources following the 2023 wildfires.

For more information about Pāʻele Kiakona and his vision for the future, please visit VotePaele.com (http://www.votepaele.com) or follow on social media at instagram.com/VotePaele (http://www.instagram.com/VotePaele).

About HGEA:

The Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA), AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO, is Hawaiʻi's largest public-sector labor union, representing over 39,000 state, county, and college employees statewide. Founded in 1934, HGEA is dedicated to preserving and advancing employee rights and benefits through collective bargaining, legislative advocacy, and political action.

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