Employees at the Princeville Resort on Kaua'i will have a second chance to decide whether they want to be represented by a union.

An election was held Monday on Kaua'i and the hotel's 320 eligible workers had a choice between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 or UNITE HERE Local 5. Employees also could vote on a third option of not organizing.

The National Labor Relations Board released the results of the election yesterday and the ILWU came out on top with 114 votes. The Local 5 received 62 votes, and 86 votes were cast for no representation.

Because none of the three choices garnered a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held to decide if the workers will be represented by the ILWU or not be part of a union. An election date has not been set, and yesterday's results are subject to a seven-day challenge period.

Tracy Takano, ILWU Local 142 international representative, said he was pleased with the results.

"It's clear a majority of the people want to have a union, and most of those people voted for the ILWU so we're just hopeful that there can be a runoff election scheduled soon," Takano said.

Kelly Hoen, Princeville general manager, pointed to the "strong number of our associates" who voted against unionizing, saying she appreciated their support.

"We are proud of our relationship with our associates, and regardless of the final outcome, we will continue to provide a positive and supportive work environment," Hoen said in a statement. "We will continue to communicate with our employees to make sure they understand their options through the entire process."

The Princeville is managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which also manages the Sheraton Waikiki, the Princess Ka'iulani and the Moana hotel in Waikiki.

The ILWU has been talking with the employees at the 252-room resort for two years, and a representation vote was set for last month. But Local 5 intervened and asked to be included in the election.

Cade Watanabe, Local 5 spokesman, said the union was "genuinely disappointed" with the results. He did not rule out a challenge to the final tally.

"I cannot speak to that directly at this time," Watanabe said. "What I can say, however, is that our interest continues that of being able to secure the best possible standard for workers at the Princeville, as well as our members at the Sheraton Kaua'i."

Takano said workers are seeking a better wage and benefit package, but they primarily want a say in the future of the resort hotel in Hanalei.

"One of the major concerns is the hotel was just sold and it will be converted to a St. Regis hotel, which is a different level of service," Takano said. "They just want to make sure that they're able to have a little bit more of a say in how those changes are going to be made."

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.