Hawaiʻi’s workers have faced the threat of COVID-19 head-on for nearly a year. It’s critical that the legislature, led by House Speaker Scott Saiki, gives them the respect and dignity they deserve by raising the minimum wage.

At $10.10 per hour, the current minimum wage leaves full-time workers far short of the $17 per hour that’s needed to afford their basic needs. They must skip meals, work multiple jobs, live in overcrowded housing, or depend on help from others just to survive.

For three straight legislative sessions, 2018–20, Saiki and the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives have betrayed the Democratic Party’s commitment to a $15+ minimum wage.

Bills doing this haven’t been voted down, though. Instead, Speaker Saiki killed all $15-plus minimum wage bills in committee, blocking them from a final vote.

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