Big Island advocates ask legislators to support living wage
From childcare to college, Hawaiʻi Island advocates Jennifer Kagiwada and George Donev told lawmakers that a living wage will transform the community.
Enact living wage to boost keiki health
As a doctor I see the price too many children pay in the form of ailments that can be traced to poverty. I urge lawmakers to enact a real living wage to help my most vulnerable patients have a better shot at life.
Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi: raising the state’s minimum wage
“Insights” on PBS Hawaiʻi looks at the pros and cons of raising the state’s minimum wage, and how it will affect our local economy.
Without a living wage we have no future
Young people are continually told that we are the future, but we have no future here if the minimum wage doesn’t go up to $17 and also keep up with inflation in the coming years.
A living wage will help Native Hawaiians
A 2016 statewide poll revealed that above 70 percent of Native Hawaiians live paycheck to paycheck. A third say they struggle to pay for food. This cannot continue.
Bills to boost minimum wage to $15 an hour gain momentum at legislature
With the state's cost of living one of the highest in the nation, the issue is a top priority for lawmakers this year.
Working students would appreciate minimum-wage increase
As a young adult responsible for her living expenses in the most expensive state of the U.S., I know first-hand the challenges of barely getting by despite living very frugally.
Failure to enact a living wage will hurt businesses
As businesspeople we invite others to join us in doing the right thing and stop opposing giving workers what is their due: a just living wage. As lawmakers, we can do right by working families. If we have the will.
A living wage supports mental health
Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness but also living without the toxic levels of stress caused by factors such as poverty, abuse and unpaid family caregiving.
Hawaiʻi needs higher minimum wage
I’ve spent 45 years in corporate America with operations in Hawaiʻi, and it’s mind-boggling to me that employers in Hawaiʻi put up resistance to increasing the minimum wage.
Lawmaker says increase to minimum wage ‘definitely’ happening this year
During a hearing regarding HB 1191 on Jan. 31, public testimony was widely in favor of the measure, with most of the dissent coming from business owners and associations.
Local connection: raising Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage
$15 an hour is not a living wage. It is the minimum for someone just hoping to live with dignity and independence.
Guarantee of living wage would help our communities thrive
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is clear: $21,000 a year—that’s what full-time, minimum-wage workers make at $10.10 an hour—simply does not allow them to meet basic needs in high-cost Hawaiʻi. It is by no stretch of the imagination a living wage.
Hawai‘i house committee passes bill to increase minimum wage
Under HB1191 HD1, the minimum wage for employees not receiving employer-sponsored health insurance will gradually increase until it reaches $15.00 in 2024, and $12.50 in 2024 for employees who are receiving employer-sponsored health insurance.
Lawmakers must put living wage over corporate profits
Two legislative newcomers urge senior colleagues to prioritize working families over business interests.
Hawaiʻi Democrats should raise minimum wage significantly
I urge our Democratic legislators to do the right thing by working together to increase Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage significantly in each of the next two, or preferably, four years.
Here’s what a living wage actually means in Hawaiʻi
The term is designed to show the minimum someone needs to earn to support themselves and their family if they’re working full time.
Lawmakers plan initiatives on minimum wage, elections in new session
“We need to concentrate on prosperity for all,” said Rep. Ward, (R, Kalama Valley- Queen’s Gate-Hawaiʻi Kai). “We’re becoming increasingly the haves and have-nots, and I think we have to narrow that.”
Minimum wage hike gets immediate support as legislature convenes
The Hawaiʻi legislature convened its 30th biennial session Wednesday, and its leaders wasted no time proclaiming that a top priority would be increasing the state’s $10.10 per hour minimum wage.
Workers need $17 minimum wage
Providing a $17 minimum living wage will help to restore the dignity for those who want to work hard and take care of their own.