Kupau, ‘giant in labor
By Susan Kreifels
movement,’ laid to rest
Star-BulletinHe was a king of the poor, emptying his pockets of coins for Kalihi neighborhood kids every night when he came home from work. Emptying his pockets of bills later to loan their parents.
He was the king of one-liners, of fast driving and Kalihi eateries.
And he was king of the negotiating table, a fearless collective bargainer but at the same time a person of big heart in the right place.
Family, elected officials, and brothers and sisters of the union buried Walter H. Kupau yesterday after eulogizing the labor leader with the highest praise: tough, passionate, an icon of the poor, a man of his word, a man with a vision for Hawaii ahead of its time.
"He was a true giant in the Hawaii labor movement," Sen. Daniel Akaka said in a letter read at the service. "Life today is better for the common person."
Kupau served as financial secretary, business representative and chief negotiator for the 7,000-member Hawaii Carpenters Union Local 745 and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the union since 1978.
He died Aug. 11 on Kauai of a heart attack while conducting a training seminar for union staff members. Kupau was 63.
Funeral organizers estimated up to 2,000 people attended a memorial service at Borthwick Mortuary. He was later buried at the Hawaiian Memorial Park.
Douglas McCarron, general president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, traveled from the mainland to attend the service.
"The organization and structure he put in place has served as a model in the United States and Canada," McCarron said at the service. "Every operation and individual put the needs of the individual first. They understood that because Walter understood. He never forgot what it was like to work with tools."
Bruce Coppa, executive director of Pacific Resource Partnership, a joint contract between labor and management, said Kupau was a visionary who knew tough measures would be necessary to keep Hawaii's economy and the union strong.
"He foresaw a day when management and labor would have to live together to improve the industry," Coppa said. "He knew it would not be as good as the '80s."
Friends and colleagues shared many light moments with Kupau -- his ability to laugh at himself, his passion for local food, and how he managed to get over his fear of flying after a session with a hypnotist he found in the yellow pages.
Under Kupau's guidance Local 745 became the fifth-largest union in the state and took an active role in local community issues, politics and public service.
Kupau is survived by his wife Davenie and sons John Anthony K.I., William "Billy," Terence, Walter Jr. and Lance.
"My cousin told me dad was the originator of good acts," William "Billy" Kupau said at the service. "He was always helping the little person."
