There are three stories in this issue of the VOICE where awards and honors are given to individual union members and the union organization at their work places (we call them units in the ILWU). On page seven there are stories where Kauai and Maui Divisions recognized their outstanding unit leaders and units. On page eight is a story on how Hawaii Division has been honoring their units and unit leaders at a Recognition Banquet which is now in its 36th year. Oahu Division also honors their unit leaders, but this function was put on hold this year.

If you want more information about your union or union contract; if you have a problem on the job; if you want to become more involved with your union, the first person you should talk to is your union steward or unit officer.

Unit officers and stewards are elected by the members of your unit to help their fellow union members on the job. They serve as volunteers and receive no extra pay or special treatment.

If you don’t know who your officers or stewards are, ask your fellow workers. Some units will post the names of the officers and stewards on the union bulletin board.

Hawaii Division has two offices where a clerk will answer your call from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday (closed on holidays). Leave a message if you get the answering machine during their lunch break.

Hilo Office
Ann Chong works out of the Hilo Office. You can usually reach Elmer Gorospe, Delbert DeRego, and George Martin at the Hilo Office.

Honokaa Office 
Sui Sin Poy Coloma works out of the Honokaa Office. You can usually reach Gregory Gauthier in Honokaa.

The main office in Maui Division is in Wailuku at 896 Lower Main street. The ILWU also has an office in Lahaina, Phone: (808) 667- 7155; 840 Wainee St. Unit H4 & H5 and on Lanai. These offices are open as needed for meetings and other activities.

Maui is the largest Division in the ILWU with close to 9,000 members. Maui Division includes Molokai and Lanai which requires travel among the islands to service members. Maui is also the only division which still has a sugar company. Most of Maui’s members work in the tourism industry.

The Hawaii Longshore Division shares their phone number with the main switch board of the Honolulu ILWU Office. Longshore members should ask for the Longshore Division or Lynette Mau who can direct you to your business agent

Oahu Division shares their phone number with the main switch board of the Honolulu ILWU Hall. Serena will usually answer your call and you should ask for Oahu Division and talk to Division Clerk Lisa Maehara. Lisa can direct you to your business agent or take a message.

After hours you can also phone or email your business agent directly. Check with your Unit Chair who usually has their business agent’s cell phone number and email.

Kauai Division held their Recognition Banquet on March 15, 2013, at the ILWU Hall in Lihue.

The award winners were: 

Outstanding Unit Leader for units with up to 30 members—Bryon Ponte from Unit 3408 - MidPac Auto.

Outstanding Unit Leader for units with 31 to 99 members—Richard Brun Jr. from Unit 3514 - Mori Golf/Kauai Lagoons. 

Outstanding Unit Leader for units with 100 or more members— Rhonda Morris from Unit 3511 - Grand Hyatt Kauai. Outstanding Female Unit Chair—Edwina “Ipo” DeMello from Unit 3402 - Foodland. 

For the 36th year in a row, Hawaii Division held its Recognition Awards Banquet on February 23, 2013, to honor and recognize members, units, and pensioner clubs who have demonstrated leadership in supporting the ILWU and promoting its programs. And as it has in many of those nights, it rained in Hilo. But despite the sound of pounding rain and coqui frogs, the program was filled with camaraderie, music, food, and aloha

Over 50 ILWU members, retirees, and family members marched in the January 21, 2013, Martin Luther King Day parade from Ala Moana’s Magic Island to Kapiolani Park. Dozens of unions, religious groups and community organizations march in the Honolulu event to celebrate Dr. King and his contributions to civil rights.

ILWU International Secretary-Treasurer Louis Goldblatt (center) at the Local 142 Convention held at the Ilikai Hotel from September 8-13, 1969. (R-r) Oahu Division Director Jose Corpuz, Goldblatt, and Hawaii Regional Director Robert McElrath.