Standing: Members of the ILWU Political Action Committee from Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu, which includes retiree representatives from ILWU pensioner clubs. Sitting: ILWU Secretary-Treasurer Guy Fujimura, ILWU VicePresident Donna Domingo, Senator Colleen Hanabusa, former ILWU President Fred Galdones, ILWU President Isaac Fiesta, Jr.
HONOLULU—ILWU Local 142 endorsed Colleen Hanabusa for the 1st Congressional District in the special election and general election.
The ILWU Local 142 Statewide Political Action Committee voted unanimously at its December 17, 2009, meeting to support State Senator Colleen Hanabusa for the First Congressional District to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Congress member Neil Abercrombie.
“Colleen Hanabusa is undoubtedly the best person to represent the people of Hawaii in the US Congress. She has deep roots in Hawaii and shares the political and social views that have made Hawaii a progressive and forward looking state. She will work well with our present Congressional delegation—Daniel Inouye, Danny Akaka, and Mazie Hirono. Her commitment to Hawaii, hard work and dedication, and effective leadership have been proven throughout her 10 years of service in the State Legislature,” explained President Fred Galdones.
“The ILWU will work hard to educate and mobilize our members to support Hanabusa in the upcoming elections,” Presidentelect Isaac Fiesta, Jr. promised.
The International ILWU had already acted to endorse Hanabusa and contributed $5,000 to her campaign.
Early endorsements
The Local Political Action Committee also gave early endorsements to Senator Daniel Inouye and House of Representative Mazie Hirono.
The Committee plans to meet with the two leading candidates for governor, Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann, before making any endorsement for the governor’s race.
ILWU pension clubs on all islands work hard to support the union’s political action program. In the photos above, Oahu retirees volunteer their time to help prepare “door hangers” for one of the candidates endorsed by the ILWU. Above left (l-r): Esther Scharsch, George Dantsuka, and Haruye Ichiki. Above right (l-r): Mel Yamamoto, Rose Mattos, and Val Elizar. Also present were Mabel Mirikitani, Misao Muranaka, Dorothy Yokomichi, and Agnes Ching.
