As Hawaii braces for what would be the largest hotel workers’ strike since 1990, visitors to the islands need to be prepared for potential disruptions. Over 5,000 workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 5, are ready to strike at seven major Waikiki hotels and one Kauai property, with the potential of more coming. They are demanding higher wages, better staffing, and improved working conditions.
There are things to do to prepare for what appears to be an eventuality, and we’ve got those for you below.
The likelihood of authorizing a Hawaii hotel strike is very real.
Workers are actively preparing by signing up for strike benefits and much more. The situation suggests a walkout could happen anytime if negotiations do not progress quickly. Workers have expressed their readiness to strike for as long as needed to achieve their goals, indicating a high likelihood of this occurring. Hawaii travelers should be aware of the situation and consider taking steps to minimize any impact on vacation plans.
Which hotels could initially be impacted.
Below is a list of all the hotels where workers are represented by UNITE HERE Local 5. Not all of them are involved in the immediately planned strike action. The workers at the hotels below in bold are those that have been the most outspoken about both their grievances and readiness for a work stoppage. Those are the locations where a strike action is likely to occur.
Oahu: Ala Moana Hotel, DoubleTree Hilton Alana Waikiki, Hale Koa Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, The Ilikai Hotel, The Imperial, The Kahala Hotel & Resort, The Modern Honolulu, Plaza Hotel – Airport, Queen Kapiolani Hotel, Ramada Plaza Waikiki, Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Sheraton Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Waikiki, Turtle Bay Resort, Waikiki Beach Marriott, Waikiki Resort.
Maui: Kaanapali Beach Club, Sheraton Maui.
Big Island: Royal Kona Resort, Waikoloa Beach Marriott.
Kauai: Sheraton Kauai.
Seek options and communicate with your Hawaii hotel.
To be prepared, visitors should check hotel and credit card policies, any travel insurance, confirm reservations including dining, understand and consider all options, and stay updated with the latest changes.
We suggest contacting the hotel to inquire about their contingency plans during a strike and what services might be impacted. Hotels affected are preparing and should know what services might be limited or unavailable. Confirm whether amenities, including housekeeping, dining, and room service, might be included, and ask what alternatives the hotel plans for guests.
Consider alternative accommodations.
If your chosen hotel is on the list of those potentially impacted by the initial labor action, consider looking into alternative accommodations as a backup. Other hotels and Hawaii vacation rentals found across the web may be able to provide more consistent service during a strike. A backup plan can help ensure your Hawaii vacation experience is good, even if the strike proceeds.
Understanding the grievances in the Hawaii travel industry.
The potential strike reflects deep issues within Hawaii hospitality, impacting workers and visitors. Workers are demanding fairer wages and better conditions. They argue that the industry’s recovery should benefit those who sustain it. Adopting a flexible attitude and empathy for the local workforce may help ensure a more harmonious visit at this time.
Conclusion about a Hawaii hotel strike.
While the likelihood of a hotel workers’ strike in Hawaii may present significant challenges for visitors, being proactive and prepared can help minimize any potential disruptions. Stay aware, consider alternatives, and enjoy a great Hawaiian vacation despite potential service interruptions. Awareness and flexibility can help you navigate the situation with less stress.
Check your island reservations again and carefully. If you are at or close to a striking hotel, move. We stayed in Kaanapali during the Sheraton strike. Many properties are close in that area, and few (especially us) were spared the constant noise and clatter of cow bells and loud music and megaphone announcements. It went from sunrise to well past sundown. At one point we visited that picket line and expressed our support, but would they please try to keep the clatter down before 8am. We were given a semi-polite no. We still talk about that horrible trip. Since then we check news wires for any rumblings of strikes anywhere near where we stay. For the strikers: You really get people’s attention, for better or worse.
I noticed they’re not suggesting short-term vacation rentals because the Hawaii tourism association and Governor Green are totally against short term vacation rentals, and in the back pocket of the hotel owners, simple as that, This could be why there’s no mention of STR‘s in This article!!
Did I miss it or do we have dates for these strikes?
Not sure that the Hale Koa should be on the list. It’s a self supporting GSE (Government Sponsored Enterprise) and employees are hired through the USAJOBS.gov site. Regular hotel workers often point to the benefits, retirement, and working conditions the HK folks have as an example of what they would like. Have no idea about wages but the employee turnover is very low…
Best Regards
Unfortunately some STR owners are now losing money and may have to sell at a loss or subsidize their investments out of their own pockets.
Not all investments are profitable, that’s just the way it is,
especially in a situation as complicated as the Hawaii tourist market.
I get it, people who are losing money feel better when they can blame someone else for their loss.
Remember the rule of holes, “When you are in a hole stop digging.”
This is not a case of normal investments that didn’t work out. This is a controlling entity that is trying to unilaterally strip a select group of people of their legal rights and livelihoods. That’s not the same thing as weathering economic downturns or pandemics.
There is an attempt to destroy people’s lives with a flick of the pen.
Are these victims blaming others? Yes, of course they are. And your blasé attitude about it is hurting your community.
Pat,
This is a very complex situation with no easy solutions.
You are correct, investing in a short term rental is a far from normal investment but it has abnormal risks that no one can
reasonably anticipate. This situation is so complicated that
it could easily take 3 or 4 years for everything shake out
and settle down. No one should be depending on a STR
for their lively hood. There are lot of Air BnBs all over the US
that have been sold at a loss or been foreclosed in the last
year. It sucks but it’s the reality of the situation.
I’m not going to engage in an argument about whether codified property rights are complicated, or whether short-term rentals are a normal or abnormal investment with normal or abnormal risks, etc.
The important point in the context of this thread is that we need a balanced market with multiple affordability options for both visitors and residents. For Hawaii in particular, to be healthy we need a balanced number of hotels, STRs, and housing for all income levels. As you have inferred, achieving this balance will involve adjustments for everyone involved. But arbitrarily cutting off our revenue legs and causing undue suffering in our communities is not the way to achieve the desired balance. Sadly, we are already seeing the effects of this haphazard method of governing.
We also need other industries. Agriculture is starting to come back with new crops like coffee. Native Hawaiians should follow the lead of the mainland Native American tribes. There are plenty of incentives and capital available. Politicians need to either promote these sorts of important expansions or retire. Continuing to just raise tax rates on shrinking GDP is unacceptable.
Aloha BOH,
Mahalo for the info regarding the potential strike. Do you happen to know if a “strike date” has mentioned?
Mahalo
Hi Eric.
No date but the word imminent has been used.
Aloha.
Thank you so much for your updates on Hawaii. My husband and I had reservations at the Hawaiian Village 8/30/24 and had to cancel but, we always appreciate your information!!
Pam H.
That was my question exactly, even though I am staying at an Outrigger the 2 nights I will spend in Honolulu next month …