HONOLULU (KHON2) — A collaboration between Pacific Resource Partnership and the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters resulted in a new compliance initiative for construction projects that utilize taxpayer funds.
The initiative aims to hold contractors accountable for their work.
Who is involved?
“Our new compliance initiative sends a clear message: every contractor working on public projects in Hawaiʻi must follow the rules,” said Nathaniel Kinney, PRP’s executive director.
All contractors awarded public projects at the country, state or federal level will receive notification via letter from PRP that their work will be reviewed.
Compliance with all applicable laws will be checked, including prevailing wages, worker classification, certified payroll and overtime pay.
“During construction booms, we often see attempts to skirt regulations, which can lead to worker exploitation and substandard project outcomes,” said Micah Kim, PRP’s compliance manager.
Enforcing compliance
PRP’s team will review certified payroll records, verify proper worker classifications and ensure that prevailing wages and overtime pay are correctly applied in compliance with labor laws and regulations.
“By enforcing compliance, we’re protecting workers, supporting ethical businesses and ensuring that our communities benefit from quality construction that meets the highest standards,” Kinney said.
If violations are found or suspected, PRP will work closely with federal, state and county partners to address issues promptly.
“Our role as a watchdog is to ensure that every contractor plays by the rules,” Kim said. “This initiative empowers us to identify and address violations swiftly, protecting the integrity of Hawaiʻi’s construction industry and the workers who build our communities.”
Workers can report suspected fraud anonymously on their website.