On Kauai, ILWU retirees celebrated their Labor Day early as they packed the ILWU Hall in Lihue on August 13 for
their annual picnic. Kauai Division hosts the picnic every year and provided the food, door prizes, and entertainment.
The Big Island alternates Labor Day events for the general membership and retirees. This year it was the old-timers’ turn and about 300 retirees from various ILWU pension clubs gathered for a relaxing day at the Waiola State Park on August 27. Hawaii Division’s full-time officers had spent several days preparing the food and arranging the day-long
program.
Lanai’s Unit 2509, composed of members who work at the Lodge at Koele and the Four Season’s Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, celebrated their Labor Day at Dole Park in the center of Lanai City on September 3. Members enjoyed a day of family fun, entertainment, lucky number drawings, and a lunch of Lanai’s famous and delicious chili made in a giant wok.
Maui Division joined other AFL- CIO unions such as HSTA (teachers) and HGEA (government employees) to celebrate Labor Day at the Wailuku Community Center on September 4. Over 1200 people enjoyed the fellowship, food, music,
children’s games, and door prizes. The Hawaii State AFL-CIO and the Special Report to the VOICE of the ILWU ILWU members celebrate Labor Day ILWU sponsored the event.
The Oahu Longshore Division held their Labor Day on September 5 at the Disabled American Veterans Hall in Keehi Lagoon Park. Over 400 longshore members and their families enjoyed the good food and entertainment. The event also honored all longshore retirees, particularly those who held strong and kept the union together during the 157-day long dock strike of 1949.
It was kid’s day at the ILWU’s Atkinson Building as Oahu Division celebrated the second to last Labor Day event on September 10. The adults and older folks had a choice of playing bingo or listening to the music of the Kapakahi Brothers. For the kids, there was an arcade of eight games with plenty of prizes, two inflatable bouncers, balloon
making, ice cream and hot dogs, and a magic show.
And finally, Kauai Division, in a burst of enthusiam, decided to hold another Labor Day event on October 8 so that it could celebrate the holiday with active members as well as retirees.
There was something for everyone as ILWU Local 142 members celebrated and enjoyed their Labor Day holiday in Hawaii. ◆
Next issue, Labor Day photos from:
Unit 2509 - Lanai Hotels
Unit 4201 - Oahu Longshore
Oahu Division • Kauai Division
Fun and games for Kauai pensioners
Social services coordinator Joanne Kealoha (right) helps pensioners check in as they arrive at the Lihue ILWU Hall on Saturday, August 13, 2005 for their Labor Day celebration.
Conrado Francisco, Frank DeCosta, and former Kauai Division Director Dyna Nakamoto try their luck at BINGO. Kauai Division gave out 20-pound bags of rice as BINGO prizes.
ILWU organizers Bill Udani and Carmelita Fontanilla (foreground) help with the frisbee toss game. Other organizers that assisted with the Kauai Labor Day were International Representative Tracy Takano, Ron Clough, Merlita Crespin, and Zemaida Andaya.
Pensioners participated in several games, including the ring toss (above), which was almost like playing horseshoes. There was also a dart game which involved popping balloons—some of which had prize slips inside—a putting game, and BINGO.
