Mayor, employer unions sign agreement on free health care premiums
Published on August 13, 2024
LĪHUʻE – Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami met with union officials on Monday to finalize the joint agreement on the County's proposed free health care premium coverage for Fiscal Year 2025.
During a small commemorative ceremony with representatives from the Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association (HFFA) and United Public Workers Hawaiʻi (UPW), Mayor Kawakami expressed his appreciation for the partnership between the employer unions and the County of Kauaʻi and for coming together to offer a tremendous benefit for the county's workforce.
“In previous times, government was able to recruit and retain good workers because of our benefits, but over the course of time things have shifted,” said Mayor Kawakami. “Years ago, I remember a conversation I had with an HGEA steward who mentioned half of his clerk's paychecks were going towards their health insurance. At the time, the only experience I had was in the private sector, but I couldn't imagine half of my paycheck going just towards a basic necessity. When I took office as Mayor, I mentioned this concern to our budget team with a goal to one day take this burden away from our associates. Thanks to our entire team, this is the year we could make it happen.”
Mayor Kawakami first announced the new health care premium proposal in March during his State of the County Address, siting that the high cost of living for working families on Kauaʻi have led many to find better opportunities elsewhere.
“Unfortunately, I can’t set salaries or wages for government positions, but with the support of our labor unions, we are dedicating more than $3 million of our county budget to pay the full cost of our basic healthcare premiums,” he said during his speech, further explaining that every county employee who signs up will have free health insurance and save hundreds of dollars a month.
With the support of the Kauaʻi County Council, who included the Mayor’s proposal in their approved Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the health care premium initiative was given the green light in May. The County’s Department of Human Resources then hosted a special enrollment period in July to give employees the opportunity to sign up for the free medical insurance plan. Those who signed up will see this benefit take effect beginning September 1, 2024.
“Today, we are celebrating a momentous occasion and I'm truly grateful for our County team and our labor union partners – Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association (HFFA), United Public Workers Hawaiʻi (UPW), Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association(HGEA), and the State of Hawaiʻi organization of Police Officers (SHOPO),” said Mayor Kawakami. “While we may not always see eye to eye, here on Kauaʻi we do see heart to heart. And we're able to rise above to make good things happen for our hardworking associates.”
Free health insurance is also part of the County of Kauaʻi's benefit package for new employees. If you're interested in applying for any open position at the County of Kauaʻi, please visit www.kauai.gov/jobs for a list of openings and more information. For additional questions, you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 808-241-4956 or via email at hrrecruitment@kauai.gov.
From left to right: Mayor's Chief of Staff Sarah Blane, Deputy Finance Director Chelsie Sakai, Kellin Vea of UPW, Director of Human Resources Annette Anderson, Mayor Derek Kawakami, Nick Pananganan of HFFA, Jace Schaefer of HFFA, Managing Director Reiko Matsuyama, and Human Resources Manager III Janine Rapozo. (Missing from photo are representatives from HGEA and SHOPO, who were not able to attend the ceremony.)
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