The first awards given out of the night honored Unit Bulletin Editors. “One way we keep members informed is through the unit bulletin. That’s the key to all we do here: staying informed. And unit editors make it fun to be informed with recipes but at the same time informed about what goes on in the organization,” said Castro

“Our unit editors have a pulse on what goes on in the unit, and they know what parts of the contract are important. They do a great job consolidating that in one package through the bulletin,” added Business Agent Jerrybeth De Mello.

Unit editor award goes to... 
Ben Wilson of Unit 2101 - Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co (HC&S) won the David E. Thompson Award for Statewide Excellence, given to the best ILWU unit bulletin published statewide.

atewide. This is the third year in a row he has won the award. “He put his heart and soul into his unit,” said Castro. “He loves his membership so much, even when he was laid off for six months he continued to do the bulletin.”

Seini Dennis of Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui won the award for Best Unit Bulletin. “Management doesn’t give you anything just because. Why should they when they’d rather save money...it’s about the bottom line right? So you have to stand up and it’s through unions, that you can really stand up and fight for what you deserve,” said Dennis.

Vanessa Baldos of Unit 2526 - Andaz Wailea won the award for best runner-up bulletin. “When she joined her bulletin, it was surprising that she was new because she was so adept at it, and we hope to keep her,” said De Mello about Baldos.

Congratulations to these outstanding members Recognition of Unit Chairperson: Estrella Untalan, Unit 2509 - Four Seasons Resort, Lanai and Michael Bunyard, Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui.

Most people upon accepting their award did not speak. However, Bunyard took his chance in the spotlight to bring up his predecessor Star Medeiros who passed away in 2012.

“This is such an honor,” Bunyard said. “I want to dedicate this to Star. I learned so much from her and I wish she were still here.” Star Medeiros’ husband Wesley continues her legacy of leadership and unionism values

“I try to educate the younger ones about what the union does. You need to because they’re the ones who will take over when we retire. It’s too easy to say, ‘Well the other guy knows, so I don’t have to know.’ But they need to learn things for themselves along the way, too,” said Medeiros.

Recognition of Unit Leadership: Patricia Balderas and John Simpliciano, both of Unit 2506

Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Recognition of Unit Member: Seini Dennis, Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui and Ron Siliado, Unit 2511 - Makena Golf and Beach Club.

Recognition of Retiree: Shirley Young, Unit 2306 - Maui Pineapple and Eddie Espeleta, Unit 2102 - Wailuku Agribusiness.

Maui’s outstanding units 
The outstanding awards are categorized based on the number of members in a unit. The following units were recognized for their achievements in 2016:

1-100 members: Unit 2406 - HC&D, Hawaiian Cement, Maui Blocks and Walker Industries. 
101-300 members: Unit 2506 - Kaanapali Beach Hotel. 
301-500 members: Unit 2509 - Four Seasons Resort, Lanai. 
501 or more members: Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui.

Garrett Hera of Unit 2509 - Four Seasons Resort, Lanai. Hera came all the way from Lanai to accept the award on behalf of winner Estrella Untalan.

Unit Chair Ricardo De La Torre of Unit 2308 - Haliimaile Pineapple with his son Ricardo, Jr. “I am Mexican so I have a little bit of a language barrier. But there is no excuse not to come to meetings and learn more. You can’t complain if you don’t even know what’s going on.”

Ben Wilson accepting his David E. Thompson Award for best unit bulletin. Pictured from L-R: Reggie Medeiros, Former HC&S Chairman, Business Agent Roberto Andrion, Jr., Wilson HC&S Unit Editor, Conchita DeCambra HC&S Pensioners Club Chairperson, Business Agent Joseph Aquino.

L-R Mark Azcueta Unit Steward, John Simpliano Unit 2nd Vice Chair, Wesley Medeiros Unit Vice Chair, and Patricia Balderas Unit Treasurer of Unit 2505 - Kaanapali Beach Hotel accepting the award for Outstanding Unit 101-300 members from Business Agent Jerrybeth De Mello (far right).

Vanessa Baldos, Runnerup for Best Unit Bulletin Unit 2526 - Andaz Wailea.

Overall Vice Chair Clyde Amuro and Overall Chairman Francis Kamakaokalani of Unit 2406 - the Concrete Companies.

Outstanding Retirees Shirley Young of Unit 2306 - Maui Pineapple and Eddie Espeleta of Unit 2102 - Wailuku Agribusiness.