Maui Wildfires
The horrific tragedy of the Maui Wildfires has caused devastation to life, families, and property of our Sisters and Brothers in Hawaii that has affected us all, and there has been an outpouring of assistance from around the world. IFPTE’s Executive Council approved a $9,000 contribution to both the Hawaii American Red Cross and Salvation Army in the amount of $4,500 each. IFPTE matched IFPTE Local 121’s contributions, located at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Fortunately, the Local was not affected by the wildfires. Many thanks to Local 121 President/Western Federal VP, Jamie Uyeunten, for her Local’s thoughtful approach to recommending donations that went towards immediate relief for those most in need. Read Sister Uyeunten’s letter to her Local members...
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“Dear Local 121 Members,
By now all of us know about the Maui fires. While IFPTE Local 121 does not have bargaining units in Maui, many of us have family and friends on Maui or know of family or friends that have loved ones on Maui. In this respect, Hawaii is a small place, separated from anywhere near by the vast Pacific Ocean; however, we are strong in our bonds of aloha and ohana, family. Our ohana goes beyond blood and in a sense everyone in Hawaii is part of our calabash family – like a calabash serving bowl, we are a mix of diverse cultures coming together whether for potlucks backyard barbeques, church, or one of many gatherings or sometimes just in our minds and spirit when apart; so diverse but yet still one big family, one big ohana.
So, when news started coming, and still coming as the full impact is still not yet known, with so many still unaccounted for, we again felt the emotions, fear, terror, sadness and grief; the overwhelming despair and helplessness from not knowing and not being able to reach or hear from loved ones. This tragedy affects us all and will affect us all for years to come. With this in mind, and sadness in our hearts, your IFPTE Local 121 Executive Board called an emergency meeting to take action on what our membership can do and belief with what our membership would want us to do. The need is here and now. There is an urgent need for food, water, shelter, medical supplies, volunteers … the list goes on. Two organizations experienced in providing relief efforts have said that right now, at this moment due to logistics, money donations allow them to deliver what is needed for relief the quickest way possible. So much held is needed, and on behalf of the membership of IFPTE Local 121, the Executive Board of IFPTE Local 121 has approved monetary donations of $4,500 each for a total of $9,000 for Maui relief through the American Red Cross Hawaii, and the Salvation Army Hawaii – Maui Wildfire Relief efforts.
IFPTE Local 121 sends our condolences to all of those impacted by the devastating wildfires on Hawaii’s island of Maui. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who are affected. IFPTE Local 121 is here to help in every way that we can, in solidarity for our Maui community and Hawaii.”
“Ikaika Ma Ku`ikahi”
Strength Through Unity
Jamie Uyeunten – IFPTE Local 121 President