Former labor leader David Kahaiula Trask Jr., a major force in bringing collective bargaining to Hawaii’s public employees and whose union has become the largest in the state with nearly 43,000 members, died Friday in Honolulu. He was 93.

Trask was executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association from 1969 to 1981 at a major turning point in its modern history.

Trask, who came from a family of leaders who believed in progressive social change, represented Maui for 11 years in the Hawaii Legislature, first being elected in 1954 when the Democrats took control of the Legislature. He served six years in the House and five in the Senate.

He was part of a family known for union and Hawaiian activism.

Acting Lt. Gov. Shan Tsu-tsui said Hawaii has lost a great labor leader.

“It is because of his belief that positive social change happens only through labor organizing, uniting and speaking with a strong voice, that Hawaii’s public employees have a better tomorrow,” Tsutsui said.

U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz said Trask helped to ensure public-sector workers were treated fairly and with respect.

“David Trask was a fierce advocate for the working people of Hawaii. He made his mark uniquely, fighting for economic equality and social justice throughout his life,” Schatz, D-Hawaii, said.

State House Speaker Joseph Souki said that with Trask’s death Hawaii has lost a true champion of the ordinary worker.

“His life and his passion were all about supporting the ordinary guy and standing up for the rights of workers, whether it was through the labor unions or political channels,” Souki said.

Former Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi said he and Trask disagreed at times during labor negotiations, but he always liked Trask.

“We remained good friends,” Ariyoshi said. “He cared about Hawaii in his own way.”

Ariyoshi said Trask once explained why he used a strong voice by saying, “I’m not angry. It’s just for emphasis.”

Trask expanded his union’s membership beyond supervisors and department heads by organizing public workers in a variety of jobs.

He used his power as an instrument for social change, serving as deputy personnel services director under Gov. John Burns and helping to draft a public-employee collective bargaining law.

As HGEA executive director he successfully backed the enactment of laws that allowed public employees to participate in collective bargaining in 1970 and also supported his union’s affiliation with the Association of Federal, State, and Municipal Employees in 1971.

“David took it to a completely different level in terms of making it into a union and a dominant force,” said Tom Coffman, author of “Catch a Wave,” a book about the Democratic Party’s rise in Hawaii. “He really put the public workers on the map.”

Trask was born into a prominent political family. His father, David Trask Sr., was an early member of the Democratic Party in Hawaii.

His late older brother, Arthur K. Trask, a lawyer active in the Democratic Party, was a member of the Statehood Commission and a supporter of Hawaiian rights and sovereignty.

His first cousin, the late Tommy Trask, was head of the ILWU.

Trask’s son Peter is a labor attorney and was appointed to oversee the United Public Workers union after the conviction of former Director Gary Rodrigues on money laundering and embezzlement charges in 2002.

His nieces Mililani and Haunani-Kay are leaders in Hawaiian social activism.

HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira said public workers are grateful for David Trask’s service.

“Many of the rights and benefits that these employees enjoy today can be traced back to his influence and efforts,” Perreira said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Trask family.”