Donald Trump stunned the political establishment on November 8 with a knockout blow to conventional wisdom and corporate liberalism, delivered by angry working-class voters. “America’s working class has been frozen out or falling behind for three decades while the upper crust has been partying with Washington insiders and Wall Streeters from both parties,” said ILWU International President Bob McEllrath. “Trump tapped into that anger while his opponent stood for the establishment.”

The “International” of the ILWU is made up of the Titled Officers, field staff, professional staff, and clerical workers. International Officers and members of the International Executive Board are nominated at the International Convention that meets every three years. They are elected later in direct rankand-file vote by secret ballot.

Union negotiating committee member Kohry Mulkey (second from left) explains contract gains to members, including the new policy allowing workers to use sick leave as personal days off.

LIHUE—“Kauai, ’as why.” The holiday season brings people together to count their blessings. Kauai’s recognition ceremony happened fittingly around the holidays to give thanks to the members who make the union strong.

LIHUE—Kauai held their 6th annual recognition banquet on December 16, 2016 at Kauai ILWU Union Hall in Lihue. Active members, pensioners and their families played blackjack, Portuguese Horseshoe and Wheel of Fortune at the Casino Night-themed event, ate delicious food, and settled into a night of fellowship.

WAILUKU—The ILWU Statewide 31st Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament was held in Maui on Papohaku Baseball Field on Saturday September 24, 2016. Each of the teams from Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Oahu exhibited great sportsmanship.

Special thanks to Maui Sports Coordinator Claro Romero, and Statewide Sports Coordinators Paris Fernandez (Oahu), Corinna Salmo (Big Island), and Doreen Kua (Kauai).

KAHULUI—The closure of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S), the last sugar plantation in Hawaii, will have ripple effects throughout the community. The plantation works with a number of businesses on Maui, but none more closely than Kahului Trucking’s Bulk Sugar operation.

The General Election is coming up on Tuesday, November 8. Don’t forget to vote!

Members of the newly formed ILWU Local 100 gather at Local 142’s Hale Hapaiko meeting room.

On a sunny day in July (despite Tropical Storm Darby), Kauai Division held its annual pensioner picnic, which brought together almost 200 pensioners from five ILWU pensioner clubs for food, fun, and fellowship.

Hawaii Longshore Division hosts get-together for members and families

HONOLULU—The ILWU Local 142 Hawaii Longshore Division (HLD) held a Labor Day event at the Keehi Lagoon DAV Hall on Monday, September 9, 2016. The HLD has been rotating its Labor Day activity to different geographical Divisions in order to give all of its members a chance to enjoy a get-together celebrating longshore industry workers, their families, and the pensioners who helped to improve longshore contracts and make waterfront ILWU units strong.