Dan Nakaso at The Honolulu Star-Advertiser takes a look at Apprentices in Hawaii’s Construction Industry and interviews Journey-Level Carpenters Trisha Taketa and Vaneza Austria, who ‘ve been part of the Hawaii Carpenters’ Union’s Sisters in the Brotherhood Program.  Apprentices earn $21.80 an hour with free, no-debt education before rising to Journey-Level pay of $53 an hour for Carpenters like Austria and $53.25 an hour for Drywallers like Taketa - with no monthly health care premiums and a 401(k) Retirement Program.  Plus, each hour worked earns them $5.25 toward a Vacation and Holiday Fund - typically $5,000 every six months that they can pocket or use to subsidize any time they take off.

To Read What Taketa and Austria Had To Say, Go To: Female carpenters enjoy good pay and mentoring | Honolulu Star-Advertiser (staradvertiser.com)