HILO—Hawaii Division pioneered the Unit Awards banquet as a big social event that would involve members and their families and give public recognition to “model” units for their outstanding union performance. The first awards banquet was held on January 27, 1978, in the Crown Room of the Naniloa Hotel, and was attended by 225 members and their spouses. Nine units were given “best units” awards for their “effective union operation at the individual company level.” Two unit editors were also recognized for winning a statewide excellence award for two-years in a row.
Twenty-five years later, Hawaii Division continues to follow the same, successful formula for its annual unit recognition banquet.
This year, the banquet was held at the Naniloa Hotel’s Crown Room on February 10, 2002. About 250 members, their spouses, retirees, and guests gathered to honor the outstanding units and to enjoy an evening of food, fellowship, and entertainment.
Five units were recognized for their good work: Unit 1413 - Hawaii Motors and Unit 1417 - Pacific Machinery for small unit of less than 30 members; Unit 1201 - Young Brothers for medium size units with 30-99 members; and Unit 1401 - Ka‘u Orchard and the Unit 1516 - Mauna Lani Bay Hotel for large units with more than 100 members. Malcolm Osaki accepted the award on behalf of Hawaii Motors, and Rankin
Gossert accepted on behalf of Young Brothers. Rey Gascon represented Ka‘u Orchard, and Richard Kaniho accepted the award on behalf of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel unit. The Hawaii Motors unit was given special recognition, as the unit was lost after a change in ownership.
a change in ownership. Unit editors were also recognized for their work in publishing bulletins that keep members informed about union programs and activities. Jeanne Yoshizawa, who edits the bulletin for factory workers at Mauna Loa Mac Nut, also won the David E. Thompson award for statewide excellence.
Remembering the fallen
Part of the awards program was dedicated to three departed ILWU leaders who were remembered for their dedication and contribution to the union—Issac “Buzz” K-Aloha from longshore, Herbert Aki from Hawaii Baking, and retired business agent and membership service director Wataru Kawamoto. Members of the K-Aloha and Kawamoto family were present to receive the awards. Bert Yasui, chair of the Hawaii Baking unit, made a special trip to Hilo from Honolulu to pay tribute to Aki.
In the last and final presentation, Tom Poy presented the Honokaa Pensioners Club with a cash prize from the ILWU Memorial Association for being the most active club and recruiting the most new members.
Local President Eusebio “Bo” Lapenia Jr. congratulates Unit 1413 - Hawaii Motors Unit Chair Malcolm Osaki, who accepts an award for Outstanding Unit (30 members or less) on behalf of his fellow workers. Unit 1413 was also given special farewell recognition because the unit was lost when the company was sold last December.
Unit 1516 - Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows Chair Richard Kaniho accepts the award for Outstanding Unit (100 or more members) on behalf of Mauna Lani workers.
Unit 1401 - MLP Ka‘u tied with Mauna Lani Bay for Outstanding Unit (100 or more members). 1401 1st Vice Chair Rey Gascon represented his unit and accepted the award on their behalf.
Unit 1201 - Young Brothers Ltd. was honored as Outstanding Unit (30-99 members). Accepting on behalf of his members, who work at ports in both Hilo and Kawaihae, was Unit Chair Rankin Gossert.
Outstanding Maui members recognized
WAILUKU—Maui Division recognized outstanding members, pensioners and units at its Division Executive Board (DEB) meeting held on February 20, 2002 at the Wailuku ILWU Hall.
This year’s Outstanding Female Unit Chairperson was Star Medeiros of Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui. Lena Staton of Unit 2512 - Renaissance Wailea Resort and Janelle Kanekoa of Unit 2514 - Kapalua Bay Hotel tied for Runner-up. The Outstanding Male Unit Chairperson was Rikizo Tengan of Unit 2404 - Pacific Machinery. The Runner-up in this category was Unit 2523 - Ritz Carlton Kapalua’s Robert Flores Sr.
Donna Domingo of Unit 2502 - Maui Lu Resort received the award for Outstanding Unit Leadership, Female, and Jiuna Ulep of Unit 2501 - Royal Lahaina Resort was the Runner-up. The Outstanding Unit Leadership, Male award went to Bob Zahl of Unit 2101 - HC&S, and Stephen Castro of Unit 2514 - Kapalua Bay Hotel was Runner-up.
Maui’s Outstanding Female Member for 2001 was Merlita Crespin of Unit 2101 - HC&S. The Runner-up award in this category went to Wendy Botelho of Unit 2525 - Maui Beach Hotel. James Chester of Unit 2101 - HC&S was Merlita’s male counterpart, and male Runner-up was Unit 2526 - Sheraton Molokai Lodge and Beach Village’s Audwin Calario.
Last year’s Outstanding Female Retiree was Felisa Asuncion, and the Runner-up was Fely Corpuz. The Outstanding Male Retiree was Allen Alconcel, followed by Runner-up Joe Adzuara.
Maui also awarded Outstanding Community Service recognition to Ruby Yoshisato of Unit 2306 - Maui Pineapple Co. Cannery and Howard Takemoto of Unit 2406 - Hawaiian Cement.
The Outstanding Unit awards were given out in categories based on the size of the unit
The Outstanding Unit with 1-100 Members was Unit 2406 - Concrete Industries, which includes Ameron, Hawaiian Cement, Walker Industries, and Maui Blocks. Runner-up in this category was Unit 2508 - Lahaina Shores Beach Resort.
The Outstanding Unit with 101- 300 Members was Unit 2501 - Royal Lahaina Resort, followed by Runner-up Unit 2514 - Kapalua Bay Hotel.
Unit 2505 - The Westin Maui was the Outstanding Unit with 301-500 Members. There was a tie between Lanai Resorts and Maui Pineapple Co. Cannery for Runner-up in this category.
Finally, the Outstanding Unit with 501+ Members was the only sugar unit left on Maui—Unit 2101 - HC&S. Both Grand Wailea Resort and The Ritz Carlton Kapalua tied for Runner-up.