ILA President Harold Daggett Sends Message of Support to ILWU President Willie Adams; ILWU Hawaiian Members and Families Suffered Losses In Maui Wildfires

Dear Willie:

We have been watching on television news, the reports from Hawaii detailing the catastrophic wildfires that have been scorching Maui for more than three days. The images of homes and businesses destroyed, coupled with the tragic loss of more than 50 lives, because of this uncontrollable natural disaster, is painful to watch, and we can only imagine how awful to be suffering this devastation first-hand.

Your International Longshore and Warehouse Union have a major presence throughout Hawaii, and we understand that ILWU locals and membership and their families in Maui, were not spared from this developing tragedy. The 85,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association stand ready to assist your members and those locals impacted by what Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green describes as “the largest natural disaster in Hawaii’s state history.”

Hawaii’s unique geography make rescue efforts and getting supplies to Maui even more challenging for this island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean especially with power and cell service out in western Maui. Thousands of families are suddenly homeless; food and supplies will be needed, and the injured will need medical care. The ILWU is not alone in meeting this task to help. Your ILA Sisters and Brothers pledge to offer financial, physical, and moral support wherever needed to your Hawaiian ILWU members, and the residents of Maui. For now, you have our collective prayers.