HILO—Recognition Night has been a tradition of good food, fellowhsip and fun for the past 30 years with Hawaii Division. This year’s event on February 10, 2007 was no exception. With food prepared by Isaac Fiesta Jr.a nd his steadfast crew, music by Bonnie and Doug, and the hard work of the full-time officers and friends, Recognition Night 2007 was a success.
Each year, Hawaii Division recognizes units, members, and pensioners who have made special contributions or provided exemplary service. This year’s awardees were honored with plaques, other awards, and the recognition of their peers.
Outstanding Units
1-29 members: Unit 1201 - Big Island Stevedores represented by Eli Miura and Unit 1419 - A&B Fleet Service represented by Neal Fujioka.
30-99 members: : Unit 1416 - Tropical Hawaiian Products.
100+ members: Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. represented by Wilma Revilla and Unit 1515 - The Fairmont Orchid represented by Jun?
Outstanding Editors Frankie Pang of Unit 1518 - Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel received the David E. Thompson Award for Statewide Excellence for the second year in a row. His bulletin was selected as best overall statewide.
Mary “Swanee” Rillanos of Unit 1503 - Mauna Kea Beach Hotel l received the Hawaii Division Best Overall award.
Other editors recognized for their participation in the program were: Corinna Salmo Unit 1401 - MLMO, LP Ka‘u; Jeanne Yoshizawa, Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp.; Angela Nagai Unit 1421 - Sack ’n Save; Teresa Cabulizan, Unit 1516 - Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows; and Wes Martinez, Unit 1517 - Hilton Waikoloa Beach Hotel.
Pensioner Club Awards
Most Activities:Papaikou Pensioner Club,represented by Louisa Manzano. Most New Members: Pepeekeo Pensioner Club, represented by Barbara Hanog.
Mahalo,
Daisy Hawaii Division Director Richard Baker Jr. presented a special award to Daisy Nakamoto, who retired from Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. that very day, for her dedication and service to the ILWU and to Hawaii Division. Daisy represented Hawaii Division on the Local Executive Board for 13 years, almost half as long as she was a member. Richard noted that Daisy always spoke her mind and made sure the rank-and-file were well-represented on the Division, Local and even International level. She was proud of the ILWU for allowing members to speak freely, without fear of retaliation.
Daisy said she was privileged to serve the ILWU and paraphrased John F. Kennedy’s works by saying, “It’s not what the union can do for you, but what you can do for the union.” Without the members, she said, there is no union. Daisy’s unit and their business agent, Isaac Fiesta Jr., presented Daisy with a clock to help her come to pensioner meetings on time. Tom Poy, Hawaii Division Pensioner Council President, invited Daisy to help reestablish the Puna club.
Also joining the festivities from Kona were Roy Jardine and his wife Dottie. Roy retired last September after 22 years with the ILWU and will be recognized later at a special event by the full-time officers. ◆
Neal Fujioka accepts an award for Outstanding Unit, 1-29 Members for Unit 1419 - A&B Fleet Service from Hawaii Division Director Richard Baker Jr.
Business Agent Isaac Fiesta Jr. presents the award for Outstanding Unit, 100+ Members to Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. leaders Wilma Revilla (unit chair) and Daisy Nakamoto.
Business Agent Wallace Ishibashi Jr., Richard Baker Jr. and Unit 1515 - The Fairmont Orchid housekeeping steward Canuto “Jun” Baugbog. Baugbog accepts an award for Outstanding Unit, 100+ Members on behalf of The Fairmont.
The ILWU Pepeekeo pensioner club received an award for the most new members. The Big Island has eight active pensioner clubs: Hilo, Papaikou, Pepeekeo, Laupahoehoe, Paauilo, Honokaa, Pahala and Naalehu. If you or anyone you know is interested in joining any of the ILWU pensioner clubs, call your Division office at 935-3727 (Hilo), 244- 9191 (Waikuku), 245-3374 (Lihue) or 949-4161 (Honolulu).
Eli Miura accepts an award for Outstanding Unit, 1-29 Members for Unit 1201 - Big Island Stevedores.
NEXT MONTH: Outstanding ILWU units and members are honored by Maui Division and Oahu Division
The ILWU is alive and well thanks to you
Excerpts from Local President Fred Galdones’ words to members at the Hawaii Recognition night.
Good evening, Brothers, Sisters and Honored Guests.
Tonight we recognize the units, pensioners and members who have done an outstanding job in serving our membership. It is my honor to be here with you.
I would also like to say thank you to all those who have given up their personal needs and sacrificed the time they would have spent with their family to represent our membership. Our members’ lives are better because you cared enough to share your talents in spite of the sacrifices you had to endure. This is a rank and file union and you have exemplified that.
On behalf of the Titled Officers, thank you for your participation; thank you for sharing your time and for the support.
Convention establishes leadership program
The Local Convention adopted a program to provide succession to our aging leaders. It will begin with a shadowing program and includes training classes. Through this training program we again hope to have a pool of potential unit leaders who will be willing to step forward when the moment arrives.
The ILWU established its place in the community and has been recognized as a leader in advancing the standard of living for working families, worker rights and civil rights.
It was possible because of the strong leadership we had—and a large membership to back it up.
We hope to develop the strong leadership through the training program. I would also like to speak about the size of our membership.
We need to organize
Our membership has declined over the years. We lost some because of improvements in the ways companies operated, some because of plant closures, and others were runaway shops.
In 1946 our membership was 34,000. In 1991 it was at 29,000. Today it is about 20,000.
The size of the membership has an impact on our effectiveness in political action and negotiations. We gain influence through large numbers.
We have been successful in organizing new members, but in some cases not successful in getting a contract. The organizing committee is working on a strategic plan to be successful in bringing more members into the ILWU family and getting first contracts.
We need to increase our membership to continue to be an influence in the community, and to generate the income to support programs to serve our membership. It is a major challenge for our organizing staff but we will and must succeed.
Work together as one
Last February I asked you to get involved, get out there and build a grassroots campaign to send US Senator Daniel Akaka back to Congress. It was a challenging campaign and Ed Case was a strong opponent. However, with your help, we were able to pull out a victory.
The lesson is that we can overcome a difficult situation when we all work together as one.
The ILWU is alive and well. Thank you for all you have done for this organization. ◆