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.

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.)

The Halele`a Spa negotiating committee L-R: Hawaii Division Director Elmer Gorospe, Business Agent Calvin Corpuz, Timothy Johnson, secretary Rain Cruz, chair Juan Garcia-Neveu. “We saw so many smiles on people’s faces as we were explaining the contract,” said Cruz.

2018 is a big election year in Hawaii. Politics and unions have always gone hand in hand. Politicians could never get very far in elections without union endorsements. Union members provide invaluable support and manpower to the candidates’ campaigns, and not to mention contibute votes through our membership. With the upcoming election year, politicians have been appealing to ILWU members in hopes of the union’s favor.

KAUAI — Over 40 golfers from all divisions gathered on the beautiful and challenging courses at Hokuala and Poipu Bay on September 2-3, 2017.

The 64th ILWU State Golf Tournament was a great opportunity for fellowship and camaraderie amongst the divisions.

“Some are there just to have fun, others to compete, but sports are always such a great opportunity for connecting with others in the union,” said Kauai Division Director Pamela Green.

Unit 3201 Nawiliwili Stevedores (Kauai): L-R Kaylene Rita, Sean Jardin, Jeffrey Thomas.

Unit 4404 Pepsi (Oahu) L-R: Ryan Kauweloa, Earl Ahlo, Gaylen Teraoka, Blaine Kahalewai.