Sorry for the missing text of the article early in the video. This video was a technical nightmare. Took me nearly 20 hours to upload it to RU-vid. The first time that's ever happened, as most of my videos take less than 10 minutes to upload. Not sure what happened, but hope I can get that resolved.
I feel like youʻre trying to have a balanced view, but I think you need to learn more about Hawaiiʻs long history of labor unions and strikes in Hawaii. There were many sugar strikes, that were crucial to support middle class and poor families in Hawaii dating back to plantation days. We have plantation workers who fought for generations and all locals have benefitted from those fights. If you learn about the history of labor in the U.S. I think youʻd have a more well rounded view. We only have the weekend, minimum wage, healthcare, no child labor you can thank a union that has fought for your rights as a worker. Strikes are the last resort after negotiations have happened behind the table, and management has refused workers demands. What you didnʻt mention was how much money in profits Hilton Hawaiian village has made, and how that money should be shared with workers because they worked for it. Youʻve put the full focus onto just workers and "budget" but workers shouldnʻt have to suffer for the sake of investors that want record profits. Strikes are about money, but they also are about working conditions, safe chemicals so workers donʻt have lifetime disabilities. Think about mean packing plants in the 1920ʻs and how unregulated industry was and how unsafe foods were in the US before workers fought against management.
Mahalo nui loa! So many don't know the vibrant labor history in this state - formerly Hawaii Territory. The ILWU staged the longest labor strike in this state, and THEY WON. Then the Feds came in and arrested the leadership. People want the omelet, but they don't want to break any eggs.
You have some very valid historical information. I had relatives who were in the union administration back there in the 50's and 60's. They were good but sometimes things change and what is the real reasons. To be able to afford especially the now generations, who sometimes view money as it grows on trees. Remember that phrase. Yes I'm an old timer who has seen both the good and the bad. So he has a point of respecting and living within your means. We didn't have a new car till the late 60's. So.... yes learn how to budget as well. More doesn't always make things better.
$60,000 sounds like a lot of money but it really isn’t. I live in LA and a single person could not live here on that salary. Especially when you figure, about 30% of that goes to taxes. Then if you’re paying $2,500 - $3,000 a month in rent and add in utilities and food. That is not very much money to live in Los Angeles, I can’t even imagine trying to live in Hawaii on that salary with kids as a single person?! I’m disappointed that you made it sound like that person was living the high life on that annual salary.
Why assume that the people on strike are not financially literate? There really are people who live paycheck to paycheck. People who work multiple jobs because the one just doesn't pay enough to cover the essentials. You mentioned that the one worker had 3 jobs and sent home money to the Philippines. My mother was a teacher in Honolulu and worked 2 jobs to make sure we had enough. She also sent home money to the Philippines, and was able to save a little. We shopped at local thrift stores to make ends meet. Why jump to the conclusion that these hotel workers who are going on strike aren't the same? That they are just spending their wages frivolously?
I love your channel! Also, protests are a last resort to express their freedom of speech. By law, unions have a right to strike if it gets to that point. There are legal protections in place to eliminate frivolous strikes. Therefore, if a union goes on strike, that’s something to pay very close attention to. By its very nature, there are no convenient protests. Again, I love your channel!
This is a sad situation, I feel for the workers who struggle to make ends meet but I’m thinking that increased wages continue the cycle of raising living costs. Also, Hawaii is already a very expensive place for tourists and too many increases in hotel and food costs will drive away tourists. No easy solution.
Interesting point. Should unskilled labor be paid a living wage, something any kid could do? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; higher skilled workers in HI tended to earn less than comparable mainland workers, while lower skilled and entry level workers tended to earn close to the mainland average. Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the United States. My dad grew up on the plantation, so I'm a big supporter of organized labor and striking is really the only bargaining chips they have. We live in a service oriented society where the pay is generally on the lower side. Is it a question of why should workers in the service industry be paid a comfortable living wage when the rest of us had to work hard to be in a comfortable position?
You are totally right. More money isn’t always the answer. People there know how to budget? Seems like the more money you have the more you spend. Then I always see people going to Vegas as you say or spend thousands on illegal fireworks. More money and money management is key
Budgeting and civic duties are taught at home - you are one of a kind but you are not rare FOR MANY is like a foreign language… things won’t get better it will be worst… thanks for your feedback!!
Many years ago, I worked in a front desk position in Waikiki. Before that I worked in a couple restaurants in Waikiki. At the time, the money was good, but no where enough to live the life I wanted. I remember my manager(s) always emphasized to strive for a promotion. But most of my co-workers were content with what they had. I moved away and applied at several hotels on the mainland, and reality check set in. Shortly after, I chose a different career and have never looked back.
I think the union should provide their workers financial planners who can help them achieve their financial goals. It’s not always how much you make but how much you spend on things you don’t really need. Some people have more financial responsibilities like that housekeeper who has to send money back to the Philippines. Maybe a financial planner can help. I see many young people making a lot of money and complain they can’t buy a house. But if they put the money they spend on the daily Starbucks coffee, eating out all the time, streaming subscriptions, and Amazon purchases, they could probably have enough money to put a down payment on a house. Life is hard in Hawaii and you have to sacrifice a lot if you want to live in Hawaii. When wages go up, prices go up because companies have to pay for those wages so then we are back to where we started. It’s all relative.
And I thought hotel prices went way up in the last few years. I don't like staying in Waikiki, so I looked at Kapolei... 🤑 Who stays way out there that they are able to charge so much?
For an Hawaiian "influencer," your knowledge of the LABOR history is so bad. You sound like a suburban mainlander who makes pronouncements with no information. Hawaii has a strong and proud labor history that is only nurtured by SOLIDARITY. This benefits all workers. First off: you don't cross PICKET LINES. Everyone understands if you have to go to the hospital, but if you can cancel a reservation to a hotel whose workers are on strike, or can afford the cancellation fee, CANCEL THE DAMN RESERVATION. You already posted about replacement workers before. They're called SCABS. Learn some things, and decide which class you want to support. It is your choice. But stop speaking out of ignorance.
City Council received a controversial 64% salary increase in 2023 and raise going to get more this year. It shows that our wages does not balance with the economy. Hawaii, what industries does it have that is not related to the tourist industry?
Sooo...just comparing.....how much are the teachers getting? Maybe union workers have had it so good that they do not know what the real world is like.
I know that you posted the video today. Just wanting to know is the Hilton Strike going on today September 27, or was this filmed at an earlier date. Thanks
I am pro union but I don’t support strikes -ideally there should be more diplomacy I do agree that workers in Hawaii earn good wages and that there is extreme consumerism in Hawaii and lack of financial literacy
$60,000 sounds like a lot of money but it really isn’t. I live in LA and a single person could not live here on that salary. Especially when you figure, about 30% of that goes to taxes. Then if you’re paying $2,500 - $3,000 a month in rent and add in utilities and food. That is not very much money to live in Los Angeles, I can’t even imagine trying to live in Hawaii on that salary with kids as a single person?! I’m disappointed that you made it sound like that person was living the high life on that annual salary.
I agree with you. I supply the hotel with goods for the stores and the demonstrators deliberately block the cross walks creating a huge traffic jam in the whole area. The store’s sales are almost nothing. I am a victim of their actions and they lost my support.
If they increase wages it will cause an economic snow ball effect… we all need to realize that wages need to increase gradually but NOT by the amounts they demand- what will happened if they are all fired. I bet they will be thousands who will try … something to think about
They're actually making good money for what they do. I suspect the reason they can't live as they would like is because Uncle Sam is taking the lion's share of what they make. I think you should have calculated in what the actual take home would be after taxes.
