ILWU golf is now a team sport, and the 2016 first place team from Kauai was (left to right) Erwin Ramos, Tyson Moises, Carl Oliver, and Robert Abigania from Unit 3511 - The Grand Hyatt Kauai.

What are all these questions on my ballot?

Consider the dense sections of text that Hawaii voters sometimes see on their general election ballots—the questions on state constitutional amendments or county charter amendments.

How many of us rush through them, guessing what position to take—and how many of us just ignore them all together?

The people we elect into office make decisions that directly affect our lives.

Politics made a difference for ILWU members at Pacific Beach Hotel.

In 2008, Americans elected Democrat Barack Obama as President. As a result, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—whose members are presidential appointees—had more members who supported working people. (Under the previous Republican administration, the majority of NLRB members supported business interests.)

U.S. Representative District 1 candidate Colleen Hanabusa spent time with ILWU members’ and employees’ children when she participated in an Oahu Division Executive Board Family Night in 2014. Hanabusa has deep roots in Hawaii and shares the political and social views that have made the ILWU a progressive and forward looking union.

The Coast Longshore Division held its caucus in Panama from April 18-22. The historic meeting demonstrated the strong bonds of solidarity between the newly formed Panama Canal Division of the ILWU and the Longshore Division. The event drew substantial media interest from Panamanian press.

The Hawaii Longshore Division shares their phone number with the main switchboard of the Honolulu ILWU Hall. Longshore members should ask for the Longshore Division. Executive Secretary Lynette Mau will direct you to your business agent or take a message. You can also phone or email your business agent after hours. Your unit chair usually has the business agent’s cell phone number and email. Business agents are required to carry their union supplied cell phone and to be available during reasonable hours seven days a week.

When the ILWU began organizing in Hawaii, a handful of wealthy families owned the sugar and pineapple plantations and the largest companies. Individuals from these families, their attorneys, or the managers and supervisors of their companies ran for elected office as Republicans. Workers were expected to vote for Republicans and could lose their jobs if they voiced any objections or supported Democrats. In this way, big business and their wealthy owners controlled the legislature and government.

Oahu Division shares their phone number with the main switchboard of the Honolulu ILWU Hall. Members should ask for Oahu Division. Division Clerk Lisa Maehara or Senior/General Office Clerk Serena Takahashi will direct you to your business agent or take a message. You can also phone or email your business agent after hours. Your unit chair usually has the business agent’s cell phone number and email. Business agents are required to carry their union supplied cell phone and to be available during reasonable hours seven days a week.

Mike Machado, retired Kauai Division Director, took this group photo of the pensioners attending the conference from Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.