[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S1394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          DEATH OF THOMAS YAGI

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I want the people of this Nation to know 
about the passing of Thomas Yagi, a caring and passionate man who 
sparked Maui's labor movement nearly a half century ago. He was a good 
friend and one of Hawaii's great native sons. I ask unanimous consent 
that the following editorial from the Maui News, dated January 12, 
1995, entitled ``Tom Yagi: A True Giant of His Times,'' be submitted 
for inclusion in the Record.
  There being no objection, the editorial was ordered to be printed in 
the Record as follows:
                     [The Maui News, Jan. 12, 1995]

                  Tom Yagi: A True Giant of His Times

       In the past decade alone Maui County's population has grown 
     by more than 40 percent, which means a good many people 
     living here now don't know just how big a figure Tom Yagi was 
     in Hawaii's labor movement. Without question, he was as big 
     as they come.
       Mr. Yagi, who died Monday at the age of 72, remains 
     unchallenged as Maui's most esteemed labor leader. Through 
     sweat, persistence and undying commitment to his cause in the 
     face of powerful opposition, he rightfully earned that 
     status. No part of his struggle came easy.
       Back in the 1940's the word ``union'' was a dirty word to 
     the owners of the giant plantations and their pawns in state 
     government. Tom Yagi was a plantation warehouseman with a 
     young family determined to make a better life for himself and 
     those workers like him. He knew that wasn't going to happen 
     on paychecks of a dollar a day.
       He linked up with the International Longshoremen's and 
     Warehousemen's Union and began to organize meetings, although 
     most had to be held in secret, shielded from the vengeful 
     plantation supervisors. The enemies of labor tried to equate 
     the word ``union'' with the word ``communist,'' and 
     congressional committees attempted to summon Hawaii's ILWU 
     leaders to testify about their ``subversive'' activities. Tom 
     Yagi, like his union colleagues, refused.
       The success of the labor movement in Hawaii stands among 
     the most significant social revolutions in this country's 
     history, and it's not possible to overstate the role Tom Yagi 
     played in it. For 30 years he led the Maui division of the 
     ILWU, and never during that time did he change the focus of 
     his mission--better wages, better health care, better 
     education and a better life for the working class.
       And he did it all in a rather mysterious fashion, 
     commanding respect even from those on the opposite side of 
     the table from him. While many union activists embraced 
     militancy, Mr. Yagi somehow managed to achieve his objectives 
     more so with diplomacy. He never shied from confrontation, 
     no. But most often his keen ability to see more than one side 
     to every dilemma led to solutions that averted conflict. For 
     this he was as revered by those he fought against as by those 
     he fought for.
       Despite all his many accomplishments in the labor movement, 
     the greatest source of pride for Tom Yagi was his family. In 
     addition to his wife Miye, he also leaves behind two sons, 
     six daughters, 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 
     That the Yagi family has long been synonymous with community 
     service on Maui is yet another testimony to the greatness of 
     the man, Thomas Seikichi Yagi.
       Maui has truly lost one of its most favorite sons.
       

                          ____________________