Rep. Roy Takumi: Workers deserve a (barely) living wage
It would raise the living standards for women, the elderly, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders who are disproportionately in low-wage jobs.
Religious leaders take a stand to raise minimum wage in Hawaiʻi
Our faith demands concern for the poor that is the tap root of the Christian ethic of economic justice.
An $18 minimum wage won’t raise prices dramatically
But a living wage increase will go a long way toward providing financial stability for many in Hawaiʻi.
How can the state support workers and businesses?
Clearly, the state can improve economic conditions for residents by creating truly affordable housing and raising the minimum wage.
Pros and cons of raising Hawaiʻi's minimum wage
What can you buy for $10? Two gallons of unleaded gas... a gallon of milk? It's not enough for a plate lunch anymore… maybe a mini if you're lucky. You may have to settle for a few musubi. That’s how far $10 goes these days. Not far at all.
Raise wages, workers’ living standards, enhance public health
Now more than ever, we see that wage levels in Hawaiʻi need to be raised substantially to improve workers’ living standards and safeguard the public’s health.
Hawaiʻi senate votes to raise minimum wage by October
But the House of Representatives may seek a slower wage increase after businesses raised concerns with the Senate’s proposal.
Bill for $18 minimum wage clears first hurdle
The increase would be historic, giving the state the highest minimum wage in the nation, matching its highest-in-the-nation cost of living. This high cost of living is particularly pronounced on Kaua‘i, which is the most expensive of all the islands.
Hawaiʻi Democrats must raise minimum wage
All Hawaiʻi workers should be able to make ends meet with one job, and it’s our legislature’s responsibility to make that a reality.
Raise Up Hawaiʻi demands higher minimum wage
An increased minimum wage would not only put food on families’ tables but put money in their pockets for spending at local businesses.
Minimum wage has stayed at $10.10 for 4 years. With high inflation, will lawmakers make any changes?
The latest state data show a single adult would need to make about $17 to $18 an hour at a full-time job to afford to live in Hawaiʻi.
Economic recovery should focus on working families
And Hawaiʻi’s lawmakers should pass legislation that supports workers’ well-being.
House must act on living wage: Our keiki deserve to thrive
Our representatives need to give us some hope that we can prosper here. That our keiki can prosper here. Raise the minimum wage.
Children struggle with pressures of poverty
These children grew up disadvantaged, with no clear avenues of escape, in a society that is permitting, even encouraging, a widening gap between the rich and the poor. Why are we OK with this?
Hawaiʻi House leaders shelve bills that would help workers
House leaders are resisting union pressure to revive bills this year that would raise the minimum wage and exempt jobless benefits from state income taxes.
Dark clouds are looming over Hawaiʻi even as the economy appears to be improving
Economic experts say many people are worse off than they were before the pandemic and a lower unemployment rate is simply masking deeper problems.
House leaders ignored the needs of Hawaiʻi’s workers
They killed bills to raise the state minimum wage and to help the unemployed.
Labor leaders urge lawmakers to move minimum wage increase
Teamsters, ILWU and Local 5 leaders ask House Speaker Scott Saiki to schedule a floor vote by Wednesday.
State, city hoodwink the poor, rest of us
“Sickening, just sickening,” writes Joel Fischer, Waiʻalae resident.
House leadership bails out businesses but bails on worker relief
Unemployment insurance benefits should be exempt from Hawaiʻi income tax, but a Senate bill calling for that has unfortunately stalled.