FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE • January 13, 2014 CONTACT: Donna Domingo, Local President (808) 864-1509

ILWU Local 142, ’s largest private sector union, makes three key endorsements for 2014 election Colleen Hanabusa for U.S. Senate, for U.S. House 2nd Congressional District, and for Lt. Governor of the State of Hawaii

HONOLULU—The ILWU Local 142, Hawaii’s largest private sector union with 18,000 members statewide, endorsed Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa for U.S. Senate, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui at its most recent Political Action Committee meeting on Oahu. The ILWU met on December 12, 2013 to discuss the union’s legislative priorities for 2014 and to make early endorsements for elections that will be held this summer and fall.

“We are very proud of the fact that we do not make ‘paper’ endorsements,” said Local 142 President Donna Domingo. “We endorse candidates who we believe really work for the benefit of our communities— and many of our members canvass, phone bank, sign-wave, and vote for them.”

The ILWU has long-time working relationships with both Colleen Hanabusa and Shan Tsutsui. “The key to Congresswoman Hanabusa’s endorsement is the trust that has been built with her over the years she worked as an attorney for the Hawaii Longshore Division and served as State Senate President,” said ILWU Hawaii Longshore Division Director Nate Lum. “It boiled down to our long-standing relationship with Colleen and her record of solid achievement on behalf of Hawaii’s people,” added Domingo.

The ILWU gave Shan Tsutsui his first union endorsement when he first ran for office in 2002. “Our Union respects the Lt. Governor’s commitment to making life better for working families,” said Domingo, who lives on Maui. “In addition, unions are about bringing people together to solve problems, so we appreciate that Shan has a similar perspective on finding solutions.”

ILWU Local 142 first endorsed Tulsi Gabbard when she ran for Congress in 2012. “Congresswoman Gabbard is friendly to labor, supports working people’s issues, and is showing that she can be an effective leader on the national stage,” said Local 142 Secretary-Treasurer Guy Fujimura. “We believe that she is an energetic, principled, and productive member of Hawaii’s congressional team.”

ILWU members work in major industries—including agriculture, longshore, tourism, healthcare, and retail— on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and the Big Island.

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ILWU Local 142 • 451 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu HI 96814 • (808) 949-4161 • www.ilwulocal142.org