Eleven individuals and four units were singled out at the Maui Division Recognition Awards Banquet right after the regular Division Executive Board (DEB) meeting on March 16, 2016. It was a night of fun, ono food, and fellowship as active members, their families, pensioners, and guests from all corners of the island, including Lanai came together to salute the award winners.

And the award goes to . . . 
Recognition of Unit Member: Lolohea Hong, Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui and Francis Martin, Unit 2101 - HC&S Co.

Recognition of Unit Leadership: Patricia Balderas, Unit 2506 - Kaanapali Beach Hotel and Kelly Ruidas, Unit 2101 - HC&S Co

Recognition of Unit Chairperson: Estrella Untalan, Unit 2509 - Four Seasons Resort Lanai and Daniel Martinez, Unit 2101 - HC&S Co

Recognition of Pensioner: Conchita DeCambra, Unit 2101 - HC&S Co. and Howard Takemoto, Unit 2406 - Hawaiian Cement/Maui Concrete.

Maui’s outstanding units 
The outstanding unit awards are categorized based on the number of members in a unit. The following units were recognized for the achievements in 2015:

1-100 members: Unit 2107 - Maui County Federal Credit Union. 

101-300 members: Unit 2506 - Kaanapali Beach Hotel. 

301-500 members: Unit 2511 - Makena Beach and Golf Resort. 

501 or more members: Unit 2101 - HC&S Company.

Maui no ka oi 
Editor Ben Wilson of Unit 2101 - HC&S won the 2015 David E. Thompson Award for Statewide Excellence, which is given to the best ILWU unit bulletin published statewide. This is the second year in a row that a Maui editor has received the top honor. Seini Dennis of Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui and LaPhena Wahinehookae from Unit 2516 - Hyatt Regency Maui tied for the Best Unit Bulletin, Maui Division.

Unit bulletin editors recognized at the Maui Division Recognition Awards Banquet in Wailuku. (from left) David E. Thompson Award for Excellence winner Ben Wilson, Business Agent Jerrybeth De Mello, co-winner of the Best Maui Division Bulletin, LaPhena Wahinehookae, and Lourdes Rivera accepting the award for co-winner of the Best Maui Division Bulletin, Seini Dennis.

Maui Division Awards: Kaanapali Beach Hotel members (from left) accepting the Outstanding Unit Award (101-300 members) from Business Agent Jerrybeth De Mello, Patricia Balderas, Wesley Medeiros, Romeo Alba, and Clifford Paet. Balderas also received recognition as Outstanding Unit Leader (female).

Makena Beach and Golf Resort Chair Ron Siliado accepting the Outstanding Unit Award (301-500 members) from Division Representative Nicole Scida.

Outstanding Unit Chairperson (female) Estrella Untalan couldn’t attend the recognition awards banquet on March 16, 2016, so the Unit officers of Four Seasons Resort Lanai pitched in by accepting the award for her. (from left) Business Agent Claro Romero, Vice Chair Marlene Baltero, 3rd Vice Chair Adela Olbinado, and Secretary Medigale Badillo.

Business Agent Steven Lee with The Westin Maui members accepting the Outstanding Unit Member Award (female) on Lolohea Hong’s behalf. (from left) Treasurer Lourdes Rivera, Laureana Aceret, Liwayway Jimenez, and Secretary Alex Ajolo.