Hawaii has the lowest real wages in the nation, meaning workers are poorer here than in any other state. This is in large part due to our local legislators refusing to increase our worst-in-the- nation minimum wage, forcing employees to fight for livable wages on their own.

This exploitative labor environment has led to the “One Job Should Be Enough” strike by 2,700 Unite Here Local 5 employees, where negotiations have stalled over a $2.30 difference in hourly wages.

A mere $9 increase in room rates would completely cover the higher wages and create enormous benefits to our workers and our state, yet Kyo-ya has refused to budge. We need to come together as a society and demand fair wages for Local 5 and all workers, to ensure that one job is enough for everybody.

Nate Hix

Wilhelmina Rise

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.