The complaint consolidates 16 unfair labor practice cases alleging, among other things, that Turtle Bay management broke the law by disciplining, suspending and terminating employees for union activity, according to Local 5 of the hotel and restaurant union, UNITE-HERE. The NLRB complaint also alleges that Turtle Bay management conducted surveillance on workers speaking to union officials, illegally barred union agents from entering the hotel, and withheld information necessary for collective bargaining.

Some 340 unionized employees at the Turtle Bay Resort have been working without a contract since the last agreement expired March 1, 2002.

Hawaii HomeOwnership Center helps 100th first-time homebuyer

The Hawaii HomeOwnership Center, a nonprofit organization that helps first-time home buyers, is preparing celebrate the 100th successful home purchase by a graduate of the program.

Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and Federal Reserve Board member Edward Gramlich will present house keys to a the graduate at a ceremony scheduled for July 26 at the Pacific Club. Gramlich also will welcome the center as a member of the congressionally chartered NeighborhoodWorks America program.

"We are very pleased with the growth and initial success of the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center, and with the continued support of our generous sponsors and partners, we look forward to substantially increasing the number of successful homeowners in Hawai'i by reaching out to low- and moderate income families who never believed they would become homeowners," said Gary Kai, chairman of the center's board of directors.