Hawaiian Cement in Puunene has a rock quarry and grinds its own rock to sell to contruction sites, as well as mixing it to make into cement. Thousands of tons of material are used in construction projects all over Maui.
(L-r) Nelson DeCoite, Stanley Gomes, Steward Michael M. Rodrigues, and Unit Secretary-Treasurer Casey Del Dotto. Rodrigues serves as union Steward “to improve working condidtions and the atmosphere at work; I like to help settle disagreements so they don’t become bigger problems.” Del Dotto, an ILWU member for 33 years, wants to get more new members involved in the union. “We need to show the newer guys how important the union is to their livelihood. With involvement comes a good contract, and that affects you everyday.” Del Dotto added, “That‘s why participating in political action is important too. If we don’t elect people with workers’ interests at heart, it’s back to ‘square one’ for us.”
(Above) Welder/mechanic Damien Pires will make 38 years at Hawaiian Cement as of May 2002. (Below) Mechanic Howard Takemoto was recognized for outstanding community service at Maui Division’s recognition night this past February. He modestly explains, “I just like to help out,” and is expecting to start participating in political action activities like canvassing and sign holding soon. Takemoto, whose father was also an ILWU member at Wailuku Sugar, has been a part of the ILWU for 28 years.
(Above) Unit Vice Chair Bobby Ambrose overhauls a truck engine at Hawaiian Cement, where he is a working foreman/ mechanic. Ambrose volunteers to serve as unit officer “since the union helps [workers] a lot, there’s nothing wrong with helping the union, too.” Ambrose feels that it is important to educate fellow workers and get them involved in the ILWU because “member involvement gets good results in the workplace.” (Right) Long-time member and Steward Johnny Freitas on his loader.
Maui Blocks
Maui Blocks makes many different sizes and styles of hollow tile block, which are stacked in long rows outside the production plant in Wailuku. It is the only manufacturer of hollow tile on the island, and gets most of its material from Hawaiian Cement.
(Above) Cullen Medina and (right) Steven Sealey on the Maui Blocks production line.
Mechanic 1st class Clarence Montalvo fixes a front end loader. Montalvo, who was an ILWU member with HC&S for seven years, believes that “the union is always there to back us up when we need it.”
(Above) Maui Blocks welder/laborer Nathan Miyazono has worked for the company since 1986. Nathan’s family is truly an “ILWU family”—his father Jimmy works at Hawaiian Cement and his brother Jimmy Jr. works at Walker Industries. All three of them belong to ILWU Unit 2406.