Thousands of hotel workers in Waikiki are voting today on a potential strike that could impact the visitor experience across Hawaii. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 5, are demanding better wages, more staff and fair labor practices. This comes as employees at the Grand Wailea Maui are already striking over similar issues this week, highlighting the general unrest in Hawaii’s hospitality industry.
Workers at the Grand Wailea resort are represented by the same union, UNITE HERE Local 5. The separate action at the Grand Wailea occurred because their strike focused on addressing unfair labor practices and poor working conditions that had reached a critical point at that hotel. Today’s broader strike authorization vote, which also includes Waikiki hotels, aims to address similar grievances at multiple hotels, highlighting widespread problems in Hawaii’s hospitality industry across the state.
The context and the grievances in Hawaii hotels.
The possible strike in Waikiki stems from long-standing grievances that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Issues such as job security, staff shortages, automation, and inadequate wages and benefits have been a source of tension between the hotel and its employees in the past.
Today’s strike vote focuses on several main issues:
- Higher wages to reflect Hawaii’s extreme cost of living.
- Better staffing to relieve the burden on employees.
- Protection against unfair labour practices.
The strike at Grand Wailea Maui.
This strike reminds us of the larger issues at play in the Hawaiian hotel industry. For a detailed look at the Grand Wailea Resort, check out our comprehensive Grand Wailea Hotel review. During our last stay in early July, we found the staff to be exceptional and had no idea what was going on behind the scenes.
Employees at the Grand Wailea Resort began their strike on August 6, 2024. Negotiations are currently underway between resort management and the striking employees, who are represented by the same UNITE HERE Local 5.
Potential impacts on tourism in Hawaii.
Hawaii’s tourism industry, still on the road to recovery, could face significant disruption if a strike were to occur in Waikiki. Hotel management teams will have to balance immediate operational challenges with long-term labor relationships. For travelers, this could mean adjusting plans and expectations. Yet it also presents an opportunity to support workers’ rights and advocate for fair treatment in an industry that is the backbone of Hawaii’s economy.
The included hotels are located on all islands.
Examples include Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, Sheraton Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Grand Wailea Resort and the Sheraton Kauai. A full list of hotels can be found here.
The vote by hotel workers in Waikiki to authorize a strike is more than a brief labor dispute.
Rather, it is part of a long struggle for fair labor practices in Hawaiian hotels. Therefore, the outcome of today’s vote and strike at the Grand Wailea will likely have implications for the entire Hawaiian tourism industry and everyone involved, including visitors.
