Longshore workers marching down a waterfront street carrying union picket signs and an American flag — Waterfront march: “We want full recognition — I.L.A.” Seamen and teamsters refusing to move scab cargo.

Waterfront march: “We want full recognition — I.L.A.” Seamen and teamsters refusing to move scab cargo.

Long Live the Longshore

Union Strong.

Earned, never given. Stronger together.

Rooted in Hawaiʻi and connected to longshore workers and families around the world. We honor those who came before us, stand beside one another in times of need, and serve the communities we call home.

Shop Pena Palaka Why We're Here

The work is what we do.
The way we show up is who we are.

When one of our own is hurting, we show up. When our communities are in need, we show up. When hardship reaches another port, we show up.

Everything we have is earned, never given. We carry it with gratitude—and use what we have been blessed with to bless others.

Union Strong is not only something we wear. It is how we live.

Kauaʻi longshore workers and family members holding strike signs in 1949 — Kauaʻi longshore workers and families, Local 136, standing for equal pay for equal work in the 1949 strike.

Kauaʻi longshore workers and families, Local 136, standing for equal pay for equal work in the 1949 strike.

Portrait of Fullerton “Hopena” Pokipala smiling with the Hawaiian flag and Nā Mokulua behind him

Hopena “Pena” Pokipala holding a wooden paddle beside outrigger canoe hulls

The First Collection

Pena Palaka

Made in honor of Fullerton “Hopena” Pokipala—a Kailua waterman, longshoreman, entrepreneur, and connector whose life was formed by aloha and freely given back through it.

Every line and symbol carries part of his story: the work, the water, the people, and the place he called home.

Read Pena's Story Shop the Collection

This is what Union Strong looks like.

Not a slogan. A way of standing together.

Longshore union negotiating committee seated around a table reviewing documents — Union negotiating committee at the table — members reading proposals together.

Union negotiating committee at the table — members reading proposals together.

Honor Our Own

We remember the members who came before us and those taken too soon. Their names, stories, work, and service remain part of who we are.

Group photograph of ILWU convention delegates in a union hall beneath a Welcome Delegates banner — Delegates gathered for the ILWU convention — locals from across the coast in one hall.

Delegates gathered for the ILWU convention — locals from across the coast in one hall.

Stand Together

In illness, loss, hardship, and crisis, we carry the weight together. No member and no family should have to stand alone.

Nineteenth century dock workers posed on a wharf in front of tall sailing ships — A dock gang beside tall ships — the waterfront before cranes and containers.

A dock gang beside tall ships — the waterfront before cranes and containers.

Serve Beyond the Docks

Our responsibility extends into the communities where we live. From Hawaiʻi to longshore communities around the world, we show up wherever help is needed.