Local 142, Hawaii Longshore Division receive special recognition at annual AOTOS awards
Local 142 and the Hawaii Longshore Division received a special recognition award at the 55th annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards in New York on October 25 for their exceptional response to the catastrophic wildfire in Lahaina, Maui, in August 2023.
The AOTOS awards are presented annually to maritime industry figures for exceptional careers and achievements. The United Seamen’s Service (USS) sponsors the event. Proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad for the U.S. merchant marine, seafarers of all nations, and U.S. government and military members overseas.
Local 142 was one of the first organizations on the ground in West Maui after the fires. They began organizing relief efforts before federal and state agencies could respond.
The wildfires created unprecedented challenges for the island of Maui and the Lahaina community. Local 142 and the Hawaii Longshore Division established a response team that organized the shipment of containers from all over the world filled with essential items such as non-perishable goods, water, clothing, power generators, baby formula, and diapers. They held support meetings for members and the community, heard members’ stories and connected them to services and pro-bono legal support, which helped members navigate the process of filing insurance and FEMA claims.
The leadership of Local 142 and the Hawaii Longshore Division worked collaboratively with shipping companies and ILWU employers to provide support to the people of Maui. On the island of Oahu, Local 142 members from Island Movers transported goods from around the island to the Port of Honolulu where Hawaii Longshore Division members loaded containers with relief supplies for delivery to Maui. When containers arrived in Maui, Local 142 members from Tri-Isle Inc. trucking ensured the safe delivery of essential items to the residents impacted by the fire.
The union worked with Kaiser Permanente and other healthcare partners to set up mobile, free, walk-in clinics and first aid stations in West Maui so people could access healthcare and fill prescriptions. They also set up a Maui Fire Relief Fund through the ILWU Credit Union, which continues to assist members today.
While the story of the wildfires has dropped from the headlines, Local 142 and the Hawaii Longshore Division have continued to play a major role in relief and recovery efforts, securing permanent housing for ILWU members, and fighting for a just and equitable rebuilding of Lahaina.
Local 142 President Chris West received the award. He said he was accepting the award on behalf of the Local 142 members impacted by the fires
“We’re here to recognize the grit of the 2,800 ILWU members that were victims of the fire in Lahaina just over a year ago,” West said. “Much was lost during the fire, but much was gained as well, and the members of Local 142 displayed resilience and fortitude. We are very proud to be here tonight to accept this award–not for us, because doing what we did, taking care of the members, that’s what we’re elected to do, and that’s what we do every single day–but to accept this award on behalf of the Local 142 membership.”