Kahele re-elected Teamsters leader

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Members of the Hawai'i Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996 have re-elected Mel Kahele as president.

Arlene Ellis, elections coordinator for the League of Women Voters, said yesterday that 2,625 ballots were cast — about 300 more than in previous elections — and that Kahele defeated competitor Anson "Slim" Ilae by 118 votes.

Kahele, who said that more than 5,800 members are eligible to vote, said last night that he was pleased with the turnout and that he hoped he and Ilae could work together toward common goals.

The election was conducted through mail-in ballots, which were counted by the League of Women Voters.

Although Ellis described the election as fairly close, Kahele has retained his office by narrower margins; in 2000, he edged out Derek Maeda by 15 votes.

Kahele has led the local since 1996, and saw the union through the recent bus strike, when more than 1,300 city bus employees were off the job for 34 days earlier this year, creating more traffic on O'ahu's crowded highways and bringing high-ranking city officials out of their Honolulu Hale offices to drive emergency shuttles.

Ilae has criticized Kahele for his handling of the strike.

Teamsters also elected other members of Kahele's slate, including Millie Downey as vice president; Ron Kozuma as secretary-treasurer; Mark Komomua as recording secretary; and Vidal Ranion, Mel Vendiola and Francis "Coach" Silva as trustees. Kahele and the other officers serve through Dec. 31, 2007.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.