“I want to extend my congratulations to the units and individuals we are honoring tonight. All of you, not just the winners of these awards, but all of you here—members, families, retirees, the full-time officers—have done a tremendous job in serving our members and your community. All the good work that our union, the ILWU, has accomplished this year in protecting our rights as workers and our civil rights in society, in making Hawaii a better place for working families—all that we have accomplished would not have been possible without your participation, without your contributions, and without your support. On behalf of the officers and members of this union, thank you.”
HILO—Local President Fred Galdones expressed his thanks to Hawaii Division members at their annual Awards Dinner on February 18, 2006 at the Harry Kamoku Hall in Hilo. Over one hundred members and pensioners attended the event, which is held each year to celebrate the outstanding units and individuals who work to strengthen and build the ILWU on the Big Island.
Division Director Richard Baker Jr. focused his remarks on the importance of supporting ILWU-endorsed candidates in the upcoming elections. “We need to stand up and get involved in the Political Action Program,” he said. “With the stroke of a pen, laws can be changed and your rights taken away. We need to get out there and vote, and vote for the right people—union endorsed candidates.”
Galdones also addressed the elections in his remarks, comparing the records of ILWU-endorsed Senator Daniel Akaka with Ed Case. “Case voted five times last year for business over labor,” Galdones said. Galdones explained that Case voted to cut funds for OSHA, voted to prevent companies from being sued, and voted with House Republicans over 40 percent of the time. Galdones also noted that in the AFL-CIO’s voting scorecard on important labor issues, Neil Abercrombie scored 100%, 93% and 100% over the last three years, and Daniel Inouye scored 100%, 100% and 94%. Daniel Akaka had a perfect score of 100% every year, voting for working people on labor issues. Ed Case scored 86%, 80%, and 68%—voting against working people more often the longer he has been in office.
Awards
The following units were recognized for their achievements in 2005. Outstanding Unit, 1-29 Members: Unit 1412 - Hawaii Transportation Co. and Unit 1418 - Kuwaye Trucking, Inc. Outstanding Unit, 30-99 Members: Unit 1412 - Yamada & Sons, Inc. Outstanding Unit, 100 & Over Members: Unit 1402 - Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. and Unit 1515 - The Fairmont Orchid. ◆
(Left) George Martin accepts the award for Outstanding Unit, 30- 99 Members on behalf of Unit 1412 - Yamada & Sons, Inc. (Above) Richard Baker Jr. with Unit 1418 - Kuwaye Trucking, Inc. Chairperson Roland Shimaoka Jr. Shimaoka accepted the award for Outstanding Unit, 1-29 Members. Unit 1412 - Hilo Transportation Company also won an award for Outstanding Unit, 1-29 Members.
Senator Daniel Akaka attended the Hawaii Division awards dinner and was met with a standing ovation. Akaka thanked ILWU members and pensioners “for all that you’ve done for the families in Hawaii—all that you’ve done with spirit, pride, and hard work.” (L-r) Akaka, Business Agent Roy Jardine.
Jose Salinas and Arthur Reeves accept an award for Outstanding Unit, 100 and Over Members from their Business Agent Wallace Ishibashi Jr. Salinas and Reeves are members at Unit 1515 - The Fairmont Orchid. The Fairmont Orchid also won this award for the year 2004.
Benjamin Badua received honorary lifetime membership recognition from the union for his 22 years as an ILWU member. Badua was an active unit leader and helped to build Unit 1516 - Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. (L-r) Badua, Business Agent Richard Kaniho, Unit Secretary and Editor Theresa Cabulizan.