ILWU Local 142 President Isaac Fiesta, Jr. announced the union’s endorsement of Mufi Hannemann at a press conference on March 9, 2010. The ILWU’s statewide Political Action Committee made the decision to endorse Hannemann after meeting with both Mufi Hannemann and Neil Abercrombie on March 2, 2010. (L-r) SecretaryTreasurer Guy K. Fujimura, Mayor Mufi Hannemann, President Isaac Fiesta Jr., Vice President Donna Domingo.
ILWU Local 142 endorsed Mufi Hannemann for governor after the State Political Action Committee met with both Hannemann and Neil Abercrombie on March 2, 2010.
“It was a very difficult decision as both candidates are very good friends of the ILWU and have done a lot to help working people,” Local 142 President Isaac Fiesta Jr. said. “Both candidates would be excellent governors and have a lot to give to the people of Hawaii.”
“Our Political Action Committee, which is made up of ILWU members from the four counties and the longshore industry, met with Neil and Mufi on March 2, 2010. There was a lot of discussion and debate among the members of the Committee. In the end, the ILWU Political Action Committee decided to support Mufi Hannemann.”
The ILWU also gave early endorsements to Mayor Bernard Carvalho of Kauai and Mayor Charmaine Tavares of Maui County
The union endorsed State Senators Dwight Takamine, Les Ihara, Brian Taniguchi, and Glen Wakai. Endorsed State House of Representatives include Joseph Souki, Isaac Choy, Sylvia Luke, Karl Rhoads, Blake Oshiro, and Roy Takumi.
The ILWU gave early support to US Senator Daniel Inouye and US House of Representative Mazie Hirono at an earlier meeting of the union’s Political Action Committee in December 2009.
Most of the ILWU endorsements will be made after the July 20 deadline for candidates to file nomination papers. The union’s political action committees will then interview candidates who request the union’s support.
The Primary Election will be held on September 18, 2010. The last day to register to vote in the Primary Elections is August 19.
The General Election will be held on November 2, 2010. The last day to register to vote in the General Elections is October 4.
The easiest way to vote is by mail. You can request an absentee ballot for both the Primary and General Elections after July 20. You will receive a ballot by mail which you return by mail. There’s no need to drive to the polling site and wait in line.
Senator Daniel Inouye and State Senators Dwight Takamine, Russell Kokubun and Brian Taniguchi join Colleen Hanabusa to wave signs onApril 5. Members from the Hawaii Longshore Division also participated in the sign-waving. ILWU members in the 1st Congressional District are urged to vote for Hanabusa in the special election which will be held by mail. Members should be receiving their ballots in early May.
Why Hanabusa is our best choice for Congress
Colleen Hanabusa is running in the special election to fill the vacancy left by Neil Abercrombie in the 1st Congressional District of Hawaii. Also running for the seat are Ed Case and Republican Charles Djou
The ILWU and many labor unions are urging their members to support and vote for Colleen Hanabusa as the best and clear choice for working people of Hawaii.
Colleen Hanabusa, who is currently serving as a senator in the Hawaii State Legislature, has consistently stood on the side of workers and their families. She comes from a working class background. She was raised by her grandparents in the housing camps of the Waianae Plantation on Oahu. Her grandfather was the plantation fisherman and her mother’s father was the plantation’s carpenter.
Hanabusa shares many of the same concerns and believes in the same principles as the ILWU. Hanabusa does legal for our union and our longshore division. She understands that unions are the democratic voice of workers and she would work with unions to make life better for working families.
Hanabusa addressed the ILWU Local 142 Convention on September 17, 2009. She told the Convention delegates how the ILWU is where the labor movement really started effectively in Hawaii’s history. “Your commitment to the support of fellow union members in their difficult times…that the motto which has been the foundation of the ILWU, ‘An injury to one is an injury to all’ really means something when we are looking at a situation like we are today.”
Hanabusa congratulated the ILWU for taking the lead in improving the lives of working people. “Every benefit the working people have come to enjoy [are] tied to sacrifices which this Union has been front and center on. Even today, when you look at the legislation that’s being passed, the lobbying that’s being done, you folks are front and center. So I congratulate each and every one of you and I thank each and every one of you.”
We need someone like Colleen Hanabusa who shares our values and will work for us in Washington D.C.
