Most people grimace when anyone talks about a colonoscopy. They think the preparation is grueling and the process is painful—but, in actuality, it’s neither and can really be a lifesaver.
What does a colonoscopy do? It lets a physician look inside your entire large intestine to the lower end of the small intestine through the use of a small scope.
Why would you have a colonoscopy? To detect early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum and to diagnose the causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits. Early detection of any disease will allow for treatment that can remove the problem or control it to prevent further problems. Colonoscopies are recommended every 10 years for anyone 50 and older
The Pacific Endoscopy Center and the GI Clinic are partners in providing colonoscopy screening and treatment of detected diseases like cancer, colitis, and Crohn’s Disease. The GI Clinic is staffed with four medical doctors specializing in gastroenterology, which focuses on disorders of the digestive system (stomach and intestines). These doctors, along with other medical personnel, provide colonoscopy and other services with the goal of prevention and early detection of colon and stomach cancers.
And, as a benefit to ILWU members and their immediate family, Pacific Endoscopy Center will provide colonoscopy services with NO copayment (sorry, Kaiser members are not eligible). Their offices are located in the Pearlridge area on Oahu, but colonoscopies can be performed within a day. If you live on a neighbor island, you can fly in, have your colonoscopy, and fly home all in one day.
Contact Maryson Cabudoy of Pacific Endoscopy Center at (808) 456-6420 or Fides Sipin of the GI Clinic at (808) 486-0449 for more information. Or, if you prefer, call Joanne Kealoha, ILWU Social Services Coordinator, at (808) 949-4161.
If you can prevent disease or detect it early and get treatment, isn’t that the best thing to do? A colonoscopy can actually save your life!
ILWU Memorial Association selects new board members as John Arisumi “retires”
In January 1992, the ILWU Memorial Association (M.A.) was reorganized as a nonprofit labor organization, separate and distinct from the ILWU Local 142. The purpose of the M.A. is: “to promote the labor organizational and educational efforts of the ILWU Local 142.” In addition, the M.A. is prohibited by its charter and federal regulations governing nonprofit organizations from participating in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
The M.A. holds title to the ILWU buildings and property in Hawaii and leases these buildings back to the union. The purpose of separating the union from assets such as property and buildings is to protect these assets from being seized in the event of a lawsuit against the union.
The M.A. is directed by a Board of Directors of nine members. At its last meeting on December 13, 2012, the Board of Directors appointed two new members to replace vacancies. Mel Chang from Oahu was appointed to replace the late Fred Lee and William Kennison from Maui was appointed to replace John Arisumi who plans to step down as a director. Directors are volunteers and receive no payment for their services.
The current directors are: Robert Girald (Kauai) who also serves as president of the board; Eusebio Lapenia, Jr. (Hawaii) who also serves as vice president; Shoji Okazaki (Oahu) who also serves as treasurer; William Kennison (Maui); George Bugarin (Maui); Roy Jardine (Hawaii); Clayton Dela Cruz (Kauai); Fred Galdones (Hawaii); and Mel Chang (Oahu).
Arisumi says goodbye
At his last board meeting in December 2012, John Arisumi thanked the ILWU and said he loved the ILWU and the work he did for the union for the last 68 years.
John started work for the sugar plantation on Maui in 1944 at the age of 19. He turned down a promotion to supervisor of the Tools Department and returned to work on organizing the union at the plantation. He was promoted to junior engineer, worked hard, and was well liked by his co-workers.
John began organizing under the direction of Regional Director Jack Hall. He drove every day from Wailuku to Lahaina to organize the Royal Lahaina Hotel.
John talked to workers and won the election to unionize the hotel. Jack Hall was happy and asked John to continue to organize hotel workers. John also organized Maui construction workers, which consisted of five companies. John then went to the Big Island to organize construction workers. The union lost but succeeded in organizing the Naniloa Surf and the Kona Surf hotels.
John praised Yoshito Takamine who would often bunk with John in the hotel during the organizing drives. John would spend up to three weeks at a time on the Big Island organizing and talking to workers at non-union companies. “My wife never complained and that’s why I love her so much,” John said.
John will remain active and continue to work with the Central Maui ILWU Pensioners Club.
Oahu league champs Pepsi win state tournament
Unit 4404 - Pepsi Beverages Company ran away with the ILWU state basketball championship. Championship team members were: (front, l-r) Maurice Johnson, Brad Guillermo, Louis Fosi; (back, l-r) Lekeli Watanabe, Jason Haskell, Daniel Zane, Manu Salanoa, Lau Lopesi. (Not pictured) Corey Shippy, Scott Beppu, Ryan Vinluan, and Gaylen Teraoka.
HONOLULU—The 2012 ILWU State Basketball Tournament was held at the Kaimuki Recreation Center on December 15, 2012. Two teams participated in the tournament, which was the second state basketball tournament held after the revival of the ILWU sports program in 2010.
Unit 4404 - Pepsi Beverages Co. and an All-Star team from hotel units on the Big Island played one game to determine the statewide winner this year. Pepsi led the game from start to finish, eventually taking the championship by a score of 45-19.
Watch for the 2013 ILWU State sports schedule in the next issue of the VOICE.
