Legislative conference committee passes minimum wage bill
A Hawaiʻi legislative conference committee on Friday afternoon agreed on amendments to the minimum wage bill, which would raise Hawaiʻi's minimum wage to $12 an hour this October and eventually to $18 an hour in 2028.
Hawaiʻi House, Senate to vote on raising minimum wage to $18
A committee of Hawaiʻi senators and representatives on Friday agreed on legislation that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2028.
Measure to raise Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage to $18 an hour gets legislative approval
In a big win for low-wage workers, House and Senate lawmakers approved a measure Friday to raise Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage from $10.10 an hour to $18 by 2028.
Advocates hope lawmakers pass minimum wage bill on Friday
Raise Up Hawaiʻi estimates over 88,000 workers currently earn minimum wage.
Friday deadline looms for Hawaiʻi lawmakers to raise minimum wage
Supporters rallied in events across the islands to urge lawmakers to agree on a final version by Friday. If they do not agree on terms, the measure will be killed. The sticking point has been how much the raises will be and how fast they will be implemented.
Working families need help, not gamesmanship
There is no good reason for the House and Senate to be at loggerheads over the minimum wage and the Earned Income Tax Credit bills.
Supporters rally to raise minimum wage to $18 as bill advances back to House
At a Labor for Living Wages rally at the Hawai’i State Capitol on Wednesday, Kona Rep. Jeanne Kapela said current wages cannot begin to satisfy the state’s highest cost-of-living standards in the nation.
Don’t let House gut the minimum wage bill
Working families and our economy have been suffering for decades with wages that fail to come close to a livable standard. Fortunately both chambers are finally acting like this deficit needs to be closed. We need them to stand by their promises to workers and our economy, and finally push this bill over the finish line and on to the governor’s desk.
Editorial: Help for Hawaiʻi households
For too many families living in Hawaiʻi, the answer to, “How’re you doing?” is, “Just hanging on.”
Senate, House clash over Hawaiʻi minimum wage bills
The vast majority of those who testified at Monday’s LCA meeting favored the 2026 date for the increase, with 113 testifying in support of the 2026 date and 11 individuals testifying in support of the 2028 date. Five favored a Hawai‘i Chamber of Commerce proposal for $15 an hour by 2027, and 11 favored no increase at all.
Hawaiʻi lawmakers tussle over one minimum wage bill
A clash of wills and philosophies among state lawmakers over how to raise Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage now appears centered on one bill at the legislature instead of two.
Minimum wage bill crosses over to Senate
While some of the opposition was from the perspective of business owners worried about the increased labor costs, most were concerned that the bill does not do enough.
Standing for $18 minimum wage
This demonstration comes after the state House pivoted away from the original minimum-wage proposal, Senate Bill 2018, that would have incrementally increased the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2026.
Wage measures still alive
A bill in the state House of Representatives that would increase the minimum wage cleared a committee hurdle Tuesday.
Hawaiʻi minimum wage bill advances despite criticisms
Worker advocates called for a faster increase to $18 an hour consistent with a bill passed in January by the full Senate in a 24–1 vote.
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.