HILO—Not even the “tsunami that wasn’t” could stop Hawaii Division from enjoying the 33rd Annual Hawaii Division Awards Banquet at the Harry Kamoku Hall in Hilo on the evening of February 27, 2010.

While most of the state—and possibly the country were tuned to their television sets to see what kind of damage might occur on the Hilo bay front from a pending tsunami that was generated from an earthquake in Chile—Moses Moke and his fellow seniors from the Hilo pension club were busy decorating the Hall for the evenings festivities.

Thankfully, the island of Hawaii received the “all clear” signal at about 2:00 p.m. on what otherwise might have been considered another sunny gorgeous day in Hilo. In any case, the ILWU Hall in Hilo is far above the danger zone and would have served as an evacuation center had a tidal wave hit the island.

The awards banquet kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with pupus and fellowship. The outdoor “ballroom” at Kamoku Hall was just about full of members, pensioners, dignitaries, and politicians when Hawaii Division Director, Richard Baker Jr, kicked off the banquet with a rousing welcome and expressions of gratitude to the membership.

After dinner, but before the awards were given out, President Isaac Fiesta Jr. gave a memorable speech about the current state of the Union and the importance of solidarity during trying times. After his speech, Brothers Isaac and Richard Baker presented awards to those units, editors, and individuals who have gone above and beyond their normal duties in the past year or years in order to better the lives of working men and women on the island of Hawaii.

The Hawaii Division Awards Banquet is an annual awards ceremony held in February of each year. The ticket price is usually a nominal fee that, in most cases is picked up by the units for their members to attend. “If you are an ILWU member, and haven’t had a chance to come, go to your next Unit Executive Board meeting and let your officers know that you would like to come out next time, we love seeing new faces,” said Richard Baker Jr

Those units honored as outstanding units for the past year were: Kamaaina Motors - Unit 1413; Yamada Diversified Corp. - Unit 1412; and The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii - Unit 1515 and ML Macadamia Orchards, LP, Ka‘u - Unit 1401.

Those editors receiving awards included: Best Editor of 2008—Theresa Cabulizan of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows - Unit 1516 and Best Editor of 2009—Starr Pascual of Sack & Save (Downtown Hilo) - Unit 1421.

Those individuals honored for their many years of service to Hawaii Division members included retirees Federico Galdones and Eli T. Miura.

Local President Isaac Fiesta Jr. with Christopher Raymond, representing Unit 1413 - Kamaaina Motors, and Business Agent George Martin.

Unit 1401 - MLMO, LP Ka‘u members and supporters: (L-r) Prosecuting Attorney Jay Kimura, Mark Aurelio, President Isaac Fiesta Jr., Juanita Pedra, Desiree Salmo, Lena Davis-Natividad, Victoria Mattos, Business Agent Elmer Gorospe, Representative Clift Tsuji.

Aurelio Mina representing Unit 1412 - Yamada Diversified Corp. with Business Agent Wallace Ishibashi Jr.