HONOLULU (KHON2) — More than a handful of supporters were arrested on the picket line Monday morning as nurses continued to protest their lockout.
The incident prompted negotiations between Kapiolani Medical Center nurses and management to be postponed to later in the day.
Protests by the Hawaii Nurses’ Association and its supporters got a little tense as protestors blocked the entrance to Kapiolani Medical Center.
Ten people were arrested by the Honolulu Police Department, including politicians Kim Coco Iwamoto and Ikaika Hussey.
“I participated sat on the sidewalk, blocking the scab busses because we have nurses standing right next to us who are ready to go in and work,” Iwamoto explained.
According to Kapiolani Medical Center, 25 patients were late for their appointments.
“Patient care should never be deliberately risked or compromised. What happened this morning was disruptive and dangerous for our patients, staff and community,” said Gidget Ruscetta, COO of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.
HNA President Rosalee Agas-Yuu explained that there are many other entrances to the hospital, including the emergency room.
“The main thing was the big scab buses. They just blocked it all up. They could’ve easily just gotten off the bus, go in, no problem,” Agas-Yuu added.
Hussey said he was invited to the protest.
“I think we all came here with the intention of supporting the nurses and whether an arrest happened is secondary. The main thing is we want to make sure the workers, the workers at HNA, the workers at the hospital, get what they need,” Hussey said.
Kapiolani’s nurses have been locked out by hospital management since Sept. 14.
“We need this lockout to end two weeks ago. This lockout is illegal,” explained protestor Yoko Iiriano.
Iiriano said supporters will do whatever it takes for this fight.