Dave Mori was a man of few words, but he “walked the talk.” Instead of talk, he believed in action and never asked anyone to do anything he would not be willing to do himself. His work ethic was unquestionable, his integrity unparalleled, his heart was enormous. Dave retired as Oahu Division Director in 2013 and passed away on July 3, 2020. Dave was my beloved husband of 43 years.

Spokesperson Dave Mori (center) being interviewed by television news crews as he reports on negotiations with then Pacifi c Beach Hotel.

Dave became an ILWU member when he went to work for Oahu Sugar Company, first as a field worker, then as a journeyman machinist. Following the example of his father, Daniel Mori, who also worked for Oahu Sugar and passed on early in Dave’s life, Dave became actively involved in his Unit as a Shop Steward, Editor, Secretary-Treasurer, and Unit Chair. He was also elected Local Trustee and served on the Local Executive Board. In 1995, upon the closure of Oahu Sugar, the last sugar plantation on Oahu, Dave was asked to run for Business Agent in ILWU’s Oahu Division—and thus began his 18-year career with ILWU Local 142.

Dave soon discovered there was no written manual for the job of business agent, but he also realized the best way to learn about the job was from experienced business agents, who taught him that properly representing union members would be his primary job.

Putting members first
 Dave’s code of conduct was guided by strict adherence to ethics and principle, and he always put members first. He thought about what he would want a Business Agent to do for him if he were the member needing help. To Dave, members mattered most, and he was always mindful that it was their union dues that paid for his position.

To better serve his members, Dave schooled himself about workers’ compensation and how to assist his members with their claims. He did his research and believed in planning to ensure that members would be effectively represented in their grievances, negotiations, and organizing.

Dave was a good listener, a great observer, and a superb negotiator. He demonstrated his strong negotiation skills each time he successfully negotiated contracts with Air Liquide, Island Movers, Servco, Pepsi, Loves Bakery, and Honolulu Advertiser, to name a few. He could think outside the box and learned to strategize options on the fly at the bargaining table. He also developed into an effective spokesperson, representing the union professionally whether in a roomful of people or in front of the television cameras.

Dave was also a mentor to members interested in learning and becoming more involved in union activities. Members respected him and admired his honesty and integrity. They appreciated his nononsense approach and compassion. He didn’t need to boast about his successes or have credit bestowed on him—those who knew him knew what he had accomplished. His tireless efforts were for the good of the members and the ILWU, and that was all that mattered.

Dave knew that politics was part of union life—including politics within the union. But he never took anything personally. Whether he was respected or not, whether he was supported or not, he did his job and did it well, applying his own code of ethics.

When Dave was elected Oahu Division Director, he was responsible for the business agents in the Division, some newly elected and some returnees. He used his own experiences to provide leadership, training, and an example to his staff. He expected business agents to learn, work, and, above all, understand their mission to serve the members and the union. He provided an environment that allowed for open discussion, even disagreement. He gave new business agents opportunities for experience in negotiations while supporting veteran business agents to improve.

Dave encouraged all business agents to become involved in political action, whether during election seasons, encouraging members to vote, or being informed about legislative activities. He pursued organizing drives to grow the union and expected business agents to embrace organizing as well. He took an active role in leading Oahu Division, which tested his leadership skills and experience.

Dave was a very private person, who loved and was loved by his family. They supported him and joined in various union activities—like canvassing for endorsed candidates during election years, marching in Martin Luther King parades, participating in Labor Day events at the Waikiki Shell, and volunteering in the annual AFL-CIO Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. Yet Dave did not allow his work to divert from his time and attention to his family or his love of fishing—which meant he worked at his job even harder than most.

In September 2018, Dave was diagnosed with a rare terminal illness and was given two to seven years to live. After a year adjusting to his new reality, he and his daughter Jennifer planned a “coming-out party” last November with a few handpicked guests who were told about his terminal illness. Dave wanted to thank them for being a part of his life and sharing his passion for fishing and his values of loyalty and mutual respect.

For the first time in his life, Dave was faced with a situation over which he had absolutely no control. He was not able to plan his way out of his illness, yet he faced it with courage and grace.

Dave passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 3, 2020 at 65 years of age. He was surrounded by his loving wife; his eldest son Josiah and spouse Michelle; daughter Jennifer and spouse Kani; son Jacob; granddaughters Meshia, Taylor, Jordan, Chloe and Peyton; grandson Logan; and a close family friend. We all miss him very much and are comforted by our good memories of him, but Dave’s true legacy will be his family who, because of him, understand that AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL.

Services for Dave will be held next year. An announcement will be placed in the paper once a date is set for his services. Condolences may be sent to the Mori family at dapuhii@yahoo.com or c/o ILWU Local 142 Oahu Division, 451 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu, HI 96814.

Remembering Dave Mori: The fi ght to win a union contract for Pacifi c Beach Hotel workers 
—see page 7