The International Longshore & Warehouse Union is made up of Locals. The ILWU Convention meets every three years to approve programs and sets the policy; the International Executive Board acts on policies between the Conventions; The four International Officers act between Executive Board meetings.

The Regional Office represents the International in Hawaii.

Local 142 is the statewide organization in Hawaii.

Full-time Local Staff carry on education, publications, organizing, membership services, contract administration, and political action.

Each island is organized as a Division of the ILWU (Maui Division also includes Lanai and Molokai). The Longshore Division is all longshore units in the state

Each company whose workers are organized into the ILWU is a Unit.