HONOLULU — On the 11th day of the Kapiolani nurses strike, Gov. Josh Green and Attorney General Anne Loepz urged both the Hawaii Nurses Association and Hawaii Pacific Health to request federal meditation to reach a resolution.

What You Need To Know

  • “Our nurses are a critical piece of our health care system in Hawaii,” said Green in a statement. “I encourage both parties, who I respect, to request the assistance of a federal mediator. A neutral mediator can help break through barriers and guide both sides toward a fair agreement that serves our community and allows us to care for our sickest children”
  • He asked that as negotiations continue, ideally with the help of a federal mediator, both parties ensure no services are interrupted at the hospital and the nurses continue to receive health benefits

This comes after the nurses’ strike escalated on Monday, when 10 people, including newly elected state Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto and Democratic candidate for the House Ikaika Hussey, were arrested for blocking a bus carrying replacement nurses from entering Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. 

Since last November, registered nurses represented by the Hawaii Nurses Association have been working in Kapiolani without a contract since last November. They staged a one-week strike in January and another one-day strike on Sept. 13.

Following the one-day strike, Kapiolani made good on its threat to lock out about 600 nurses until and unless the union agreed to unconditionally accept and recommend to its membership its standing contract offer.

“Our nurses are a critical piece of our health care system in Hawaii,” said Green in a statement. “I encourage both parties, who I respect, to request the assistance of a federal mediator. A neutral mediator can help break through barriers and guide both sides toward a fair agreement that serves our community and allows us to care for our sickest children.”

He asked that as negotiations continue, ideally with the help of a federal mediator, both parties ensure no services are interrupted at the hospital and the nurses continue to receive health benefits. 

Last week, Lopez advised Green that he did not have the legal authority to intervene in the standoff between the Hawaii Nurses Association and Hawaii Pacific Health. However, she said he could mediate the dispute if both parties formally request his help. 

“The governor cannot intervene in private negotiations, but he is ready to assist through mediation if both parties request it,” said Lopez. 

But, on Tuesday, Green suggested a federal mediator be requested. 

“I have sent a letter to hospital leadership and the union encouraging them to take these steps,” he said.

The governor said state resources, including conference rooms, could be used as neutral spaces for negotiations. 

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