HONOLULU—ILWU members and retirees across the state are mourning the loss of a man who truly dedicated his life to building the union and serving its membership.
Retired ILWU Local 142 President Eddie E. Lapa, passed away on March 25, 2014. He is survived by his wife Emily T.; daughters Barbara Pennington, Pauline Lime, Angela L. Bugarin, Lucille Tashiro and Mary Lapa; 14 grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.
Eddie was elected president of ILWU Local 142 in 1981. He served as president for 10 years until his retirement in 1991. Prior to being elected president, he served as Local 142 Vice-President from 1975-1981; Oahu Division Membership Service Director from 1955 to 1975; Union Insurance Service General Manager from 1955; and Oahu Division Business Agent for the Sugar Grouping from 1950-1955.
Eddie was involved in the early organizing of the ILWU in the 1940’s. His unit participation included shop steward, Housing Committee Chairman, Job Evaluation Committee Chairman, Unit Secretary/Treasurer, Unit Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Waialua Sugar Relief Committee during the 1946 Sugar Strike.
In his farewell speech to the newly elected Local Executive Board that met in February 1992, Eddie said this, “People should understand that you shouldn’t ask too much from the Union. You should give more than you receive. And by doing that I think you become a better person and a better officer, because the membership will understand where you are coming from. If you are a phony, you won’t be able to hide that. The membership will read that in your words and actions.”
On February 20, 1991, a Hawaii House of Representatives resolution was introduced to honor and commend Eddie for his achievements in promoting the dignity and prosperity of working people.
On December 28, 1990, the United Filipino Council presented Eddie with the Progress Award for Labor in recognition of his benevolent efforts towards improving working conditions and employee benefits at its second annual Sakada Anniversary and Progress Award Banquet—an event held to honor those pioneering members of the Filipino community who arrived in Hawaii in 1906.
In addition to his work in the ILWU, Eddie has served his community as a trustee of the Waialua Community Association; president of Waialua Filipino Community Association; president of St. Michaels’s School/ Parent Teachers Guild and board member of the Waipahu Visayan Club.
He was also a member of the Hawaii Job Training Coordinating Council (HJTCC); the Advisory Council on Hospitals and Medical Facilities; the Advisory Committee of Leeward Community College; the Hawaii Council on Crime and Delinquency; an overseas delegation going to East Germany and Cuba, Judicial Council; Hawaii Land Evaluation & Site Assessment Committee; Central Oahu/ North Shore Ad Hoc Planning Advisory Committee; Hawaii Job Training Coordinating Council; the Stadium Authority and in 1990 was elected as chairman of the Stadium Authority.
Eddie Lapa speaks at a thank-you event for ILWU founding President Harry Bridges in 1977.
Eddie Lapa (right) at a meeting for ILWU members in Waialua.