The Convention is the highest governing body of ILWU Local 142. It is held once every threee years and is attended by some of the most active and dedicated members of the union, many of whom hold positions of leadership. These delegates to the Convention review the work of the officers and have the power to set the policies and programs of the ILWU for the next three years.

The 24th Convention adopted 15 Resolutions which define the policy of the union on certain issues or express the sentiment of the delegation. Following are summaries of these resolutions.

Union Political Action did very well in Hawaii. Our Congressional Delegation is stronger than ever with Daniel Inouye, Danny Akaka, Neil Abercrombie, and the newly elected Mazie Hirono.

There was no change in the State Senate with 20 Democrats and 5 Republicans. A previously Democratic seat held by Brian Kanno went to Republican Mike Gabbard. But this was offset by Democrat, Jill Tokuda, winning the seat previously held by Republican Bob Hogue.

For the first time, the ILWU Local 142 will be holding its convention on a Neighbor Island instead of the Island of Oahu.

The convention was originally scheduled to be held at the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu from September 18-22, 2006. However, the hotel was sold in February 2006, the management contract with Renaissance was terminated, and the new owners began moving forward with the renovation and sale of half of the hotel rooms as condominium units.

High gas prices good for sugar workers

High oil and gasoline prices have led to higher world prices for sugar, and that is good news for Hawaii’s sugar industry and workers.

“11 years! One raise! Fair Contract NOW!” This chant sums up the injustice faced by the Pacific Beach Hotel workers who won an election to be represented by the ILWU over two years ago and are still struggling to get a fair contract with their employer—the HTH Corporation. HTH also owns King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort on the Big Island and the Pagoda Hotel in Honolulu.

When the 200-room Kapalua Bay Hotel opened in 1978, it was a place local people called the “end of the road”, because that was where the paved road turned into a dirt road, which continued along the shore of the leeward coast of West Maui. There were no houses or developments beyond that point.

We have a chance this year to turn our country around because voters are discovering the truth about George W. Bush and his way of life and everything that they stand for.