Workers and living wage supporters to hold rally for $18 by 2026
The path to a living wage needs to start now.
HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi — On Tuesday, March 8, 2022, workers, advocates and supporters of a living wage will gather at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol to rally in support of legislation to raise the state minimum wage to $18 by 2026.
Workers have been struggling for decades in Hawaiʻi with wages that come nowhere close to meeting the cost of living. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has reported that more than $18 is needed to afford basic needs. More than one in three workers earn less than this amount, a leading cause of widespread poverty throughout the islands.
$10.10 Minimum Wage is Lowest Amongst Blue States - Amongst all states controlled by Democrats, Hawaiʻi’s $10.10 minimum wage is the lowest. Compared to our highest cost of living this is shamefully low.
Large Gap Needs to Be Closed Quickly - With inflation driving costs higher, it's crucial our minimum wage closes that gap as fast as possible. Delays in achieving a living wage will continue to push local families to move out of the state and make the lives of those remaining extremely oppressive.
Senate Passed SB2018, House Needs to Now - SB2018 achieves $18 by 2026 and is supported by Governor Ige. This will put workers on a great path towards achieving a living wage. Rather than delay the passage of a bill until the last few weeks of session, the House needs to remove the risk of last second disagreements and worry from working families, and pass this bill now.
Hawaiʻi worker Jhoe Rosales commented that “Because Hawaiʻi is so expensive, I have to work three jobs and it is totally exhausting to meet my needs. We have to live harshly in this state that has no benefits to survive long-term. If the minimum wage increases to $18, I would not have to work three jobs.”
Rep. Jeanné Kapela (HD5) added, “A living wage is a human right. When Hawaiʻi's cost of living continues to soar, legislators should be committed to putting people’s needs before corporate greed by raising the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2026, and delivering financial security for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Senator Laura Acasio (SD1) said in support that “Hawaiʻi’s working families have been struggling for far too long to not get the justice they deserve. Workers need to be paid a living wage as soon as possible.”