We take for granted that the foods we eat and the drugs we take are safe and won’t poison us or make us sick. This confidence is the result of almost 100 years of needed government regulation of the quality and safety of our food supply. Some of these regulations are mandatory, some are voluntary, and some give consumers a choice by providing information.

 Are our food and drugs safe?

In September 2004, drug manufacturer Merck voluntarily withdrew its anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx from the market. A long-term study of the drug found an increased risk of serious heart attacks and strokes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Advisory to inform patients of this action and to advise them to consult with a physician about alternative medications.

HONOLULU—When you buy a fresh island egg, many people benefit. You get the freshest product for your family. Hawaii’s egg farmers have a market for their products, which helps our economy. And the employees at Eggs Hawaii, Inc. have work to do—cleaning, processing and delivering island eggs to our supermarkets.

A state inspector is present every day at the Eggs Hawaii production plant to check that quantity (size or weight), quality (grading) and sanitation requirements are met.

LIHUE and PEPEEKEO, Hawaii—Kauai swept both ILWU statewide softball tournaments held in 2004—the 49th Annual Fast-pitch Tournament held in Kapaa on May 15 and the 19th Annual Slow-pitch Tournament held in Pepeekeo on September 25.

Kauai Coffee beat Oahu’s Weyerhaeuser 23-9 and Hawaii’s Mauna Lani 7-1 in round-robin play to earn the fast-pitch championship this spring.

Led by the tremendous pitching of tournament Most Valuable Player Freddy Medeiros, Kauai Coffee proved itself to be the best among three very good teams.

HILO—Hawaii Division hosted the 48th Annual ILWU Mixed Bowling Tournament on Thanksgiving weekend, November 26-27, 2004. The tournament was dominated by Big Island bowlers, who made up most of the teams, although Maui Division sent several good teams to participate.

After two days of bowling at Hilo Lanes, participants were treated to an awards banquet held at the ILWU’s Harry Kamoku Union Hall. The tournament committee prepared a delicious buffet, and arranged for live music by local group “Smooth".

KEKAHA—How many championships make a dynasty? If they haven’t reached that goal yet, the Mauna Lani basketballers are on their way with an 8th consecutive title at the ILWU statewide tournament.

The 23rd annual ILWU state basketball tournament was held at the Kekaha High School Gym on Friday and Saturday, December 3 and 4, 2004.

Union members in Hawaii made their votes count and their voices heard in the 2004 elections. They worked extra hard to elect candidates who shared their views and would best represent their interests as workers. Volunteers made thousands of phone calls and went house-to-house to talk to fellow union members.

ILWU, you did a great job in this election. On behalf of the Local Officers, I want to thank everyone who gave their time and energy to this union’s political action program.

Union political action wins big in Hawaii, continued from page 1

None of this happened. Instead of gaining 8 seats in the House, the Republicans lost 6 seats in areas thought to be Republican strongholds. Instead of close races, most of the targeted Democrats won by huge margins. Lingle waved signs and walked house-to-house for Republican challenger Don Couch, but Maui’s Roz Baker still beat him by over 2,400 votes. Former Republican Mayor of Kauai Maryanne Kusaka was expected to give Gary Hooser the fight of his career, but Hooser ran

More than 200 pensioners from McBryde Sugar, G&R, Lihue Plantation, Kekaha Sugar, and Kauai Tourism enjoyed food, fellowship, games, and political speeches at Kauai Division’s annual pensioner picnic on September 11. 

Pensioners reflected in a moment of silence for our brothers and sisters who have passed on and all those who perished in
the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.