Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Waylon James Keahi Mudget

For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Waylon James Keahi Mudget of the Bricklayers (BAC).

“Joining the union was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made 21 years ago,” said Waylon James Keahi Mudget, vice president of BAC Local 1 Hawaii. “Working with my union brothers and sisters, I learned craft skills that benefit me in and out of the field in my daily life. The trades men and women I have worked with have truly become a part of my Ohana. The union has made me who I am today and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 05/09/2026 - 10:41

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Sasha Kahele-Manners

For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Sasha Kahele-Manners of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA).

Sasha Kahele-Manners is a flight attendant with Hawaiian Airlines and proud member of AFA-CWA. Kahele-Manners currently serves as the reserve committee chair for Council 43 in Honolulu, where she supports AFA-CWA members by helping them understand and navigate their collective bargaining agreement. Kahele-Manners’ union work is driven by a deep respect for the protections her contract provides—ensuring balance, preventing burnout and affirming the value of flight attendants’ work.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/08/2026 - 10:34