Hawaii Division Director Elmer Gorospe welcomed everyone and thanked members, units, and pensioners who have participated in the Division’s program throughout the year. He recognized his team of business agents, organizers, and staff who are committed to ensuring good wages, benefits and working conditions for our members and to organizing to grow the Union.
Elmer also honored past Hawaii Division leaders who paved the way and mentored others to continue the legacy of leadership and commitment to the ILWU—leaders such as George Martin, Division Director and later International Vice President; Yoshito Takamine, who was a Division Director while serving his community in the State House of Representatives; Bo Lapenia, who served as Division Director, then Local President for four terms; Fred Galdones, who was a Division Director, then elected Local President for two terms and now is President of the Hawaii Division Pensioner Council and Vice President of the ILWU Memorial Association; and Isaac Fiesta, who served as Local President. Elmer also acknowledged other full-time officials who helped to bring the Division to where it is today.
The development of leadership within the ILWU continues, Elmer said. New, young leaders are encouraged at all levels of the Union to ensure the future of the ILWU. The Union also recognizes the importance of electing the right people into public office because, as Tommy Trask said many times: “What was won at the bargaining table can be taken away with the stroke of a pen.” He recognized the elected officials present for their support of the ILWU and their openness to consider our views and dialogue with us. He paid special tribute to Senator Gil Kahele, who passed away on January 26, and introduced his son, Kai Kahele, who was recently appointed to fill the remainder of his father’s term.
Fujimura reflects on the past with a view to the future
The evening’s guest speaker was Local Secretary-Treasurer Guy Fujimura. Guy reminisced about his first trips to the Big Island—for ratification of the statewide bakery contract (he was the rank-and-file chair), riding with B.A. Wataru Kawamoto and getting fishcake to take home, conducting steward classes with Dave Thompson. One of Guy’s first assignments was the “Save Our Sugar (SOS)” campaign to raise awareness among Hawaii residents about the importance of sugar to Hawaii’s economy. But early in his career, Amfac decided to shut down Puna Sugar, a sad event not only for the workers and the ILWU but even for Amfac’s president, Henry Walker. By that time, there were about 6,000 workers in the sugar industry—whittled down from the 30,000 that went on strike in 1946.
On January 6, the announcement was made that the last sugar plantation in Hawaii, HC&S on Maui, would close this year, leaving 600 ILWU members jobless and marking the end of an era.
Over the years, sugar represented many things to the ILWU and to the community. For the ILWU, sugar symbolized our strength and power, gained from the 1946 Great Sugar Strike, and the economic and political changes that made for a better society for working men and women. The ILWU provided the organization for workers to come together, united in a single union.
Guy pointed out that our members belong to a statewide union. We operate best, he said, because we recognize we have brothers and sisters in many industries, working together and supporting each other.
ILWU success at the state legislature
Guy pointed out that the ILWU was able to enact good laws in Hawaii because of the power and influence we had. That started with the Little Wagner Act. The National Labor Relations Act (also called the Wagner Act) was a means for workers to form a union, but agricultural workers were excluded. The ILWU helped to enact the Little Wagner Act, which allowed field workers to organize and was the first effective piece of legislation passed by the ILWU.
Since then, the ILWU has been involved in enactment of many laws that have benefited working families—the Prepaid Health Care Act, which mandates employers to provide health coverage (in contrast with the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which mandates individuals without employer coverage to obtain and pay for their own health plans); employerpaid Temporary Disability Insurance; and even the Equal Rights Amendment. In 2009, we pushed for and got the Legislature to pass the first and only cardcheck recognition law in the nation, which allows agricultural workers to unionize, not by election but by signing union representation cards.
Guy reinforced what Elmer said about our friends in the Legislature. The ILWU needs support in the Legislature to pass good laws. But even as they are our friends, elected officials pay attention to us because of the power of our numbers and the support we can provide them. So we count on you, rank-and-file members and pensioners, he said, to turn out for political action and help us to help our friends get elected.
“We have a proud legacy,” said Guy, “of getting good laws passed. It may seem historical, but ILWU principle and practice must live today.” The ILWU has been progressive-minded and forward-thinking. He said, “It is a great joy to say I am from the ILWU because we are all united with the common purpose to make Hawaii better.”
Awards presented
Emcees Tristie Licoan and newly appointed Business Agent Michael Dela Cruz announced the recognition awards, with presentations assisted by Reppresentatives Clift Tsuji, Joy San Buenaventura, Mark Nakashima, and Richard Onishi.
• Pensioners Most Activities Award - Papaikou Club
• Pensioners Most New Members Award - Laupahoehoe Club
• Unit Editor Recognition of Participation to Burton Wallen of Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp., Mary “Swanee” Rillanos of Unit 1503 - Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Anna Ater of Unit 1421 - Sack N Save
• Outstanding Member - Butch Todd, Unit 1412 - Yamada Diversified Corp.
• Outstanding Unit (1-29): Unit 1413 - Big Island Toyota • Outstanding Unit (30-99): Unit 1424 - Yukio Okutsu State Veteran’s Home
• Outstanding Unit (100 and over):
Unit 1503 - Mauna Kea Beach Hotel received the award for Outstanding Unit,100 members and over (Tourism). Tristie Licoan (third from right) accepted the award for her fellow members. (from left) Business Agent and unit member Michael Dela Cruz, Representatives Mark Nakashima, Clift Tsuji, and Joy San Buenaventura, Licoan, Division Director Elmer Gorospe, and Rep. Richard Onishi.
Unit 1424 - Yukio Okutsu State Veteran’s Home won the award for Outstanding Unit (30-99 members). Cindy Basque (third from left) and Rachael Segawa (third from right) accepted the award on behalf of their membership. (from left) Business Agent Francine Molina, Rep. Mark Nakashima, Basque, Rep. Clift Tsuji, Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, Segawa, Division Director Elmer Gorospe, and Rep. Richard Onishi.
Unit 1413 - Big Island Toyota received Outstanding Unit (1-29 members) honors. Accepting the award were Unit Chair Gregory Wagner and Lawrence Cabral. (front, from left) State Representatives Nakashima, Tsuji, and San Buenaventura, Wagner, Cabral, Business Agent George Martin, and Rep. Onishi. (Back) Division Director Gorospe.
Butch Todd (left) of Unit 1412 - Yamada Diversified Corp. was named the most outstanding individual member in the Hawaii Division for 2015.
Unit 1503 - Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (Tourism); and Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Mac Nut (General Trades)