The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Hawaii’s largest hotel, has commenced an indefinite strike this morning, as reported by the union around 5 a.m. today. Nearly 2,000 Hilton Hawaiian Village workers are directly involved, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing hotel labor movement organized by UNITE HERE Local 5. This action is part of a broader nationwide strike, which also includes major hotel properties in Honolulu, San Diego, and San Francisco.
Key issues in Hawaii hotel strike.
The primary demands of striking hotel workers are securing higher wages, reducing excessive workloads, and reversing service reductions that occurred during the pandemic. Significant disruptions in expected services, including housekeeping, front desk operations, and restaurant staffing, are expected. This current strike follows the Labor Day weekend walkout, which impacted eight major hotels across Waikiki and Kauai. Union leaders argue that while hotels have seen rising profits, workers face unsustainable workloads and woefully insufficient pay.
The union says, “Too many hotels took advantage of the pandemic by cutting staffing and suspending guest services that were never restored, causing workers to lose jobs and income – and creating painful working conditions for those who carry the increased workload.”
How Does This Impact Hawaii Visitors?
Travelers should be ready for disruptions across services at Hilton Hawaiian Village, with the possibility of strikes extending to other major resorts. For a smoother stay at this time, consider smaller hotels, boutique accommodations, or vacation rentals as alternative lodging options that might avoid strike-related issues.
Comments on our previous strike coverage earlier this month included strong opinions about Hawaii’s tourism industry. One reader argued, “The hospitality industry must support livable wages,” while another urged, “Avoid the overpriced, foreign-owned hotels and rent a short-term vacation rental instead.” Some expressed empathy for workers’ challenges, with remarks like, “Many workers have to work two jobs to make enough to live comfortably.” Others expressed frustration over reduced services, saying, “I am sure that during the big cutback in services, the hotels are reducing their room rates accordingly.”
Check your reservations, anticipate delays, and stay informed about Hawaii’s ongoing labor issues. This fluid situation could affect your travel experience. If you are staying, would you consider asking for a room discount because of the lack of full services?
We welcome your input!
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I agree that the noise and disruption doesn’t forward their cause-I am pro Union but I believe these workers aren’t a good representation for Unions -( from a resident who usually loves Hilton Beach )
I am currently staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I can get my own towels, etc, and am quite capable of cleaning up after myself. However, I cannot tolerate the bullhorns, drums, whistles etc from the striking workers who are just trying to turn my once in a lifetime vacation that I blew vacation days at work and thousands of dollars on into a living nightmare. I can only tolerate being in the hotel room if I’m loaded up with alcohol. I Hate Hate Hate These Workers
Equating wages and prices is not easy. Hotels employ many workers on lower pay scales but they are also subject to the rise in taxes, rents as well as the profiteering by many large suppliers to them. This will affect their costs to varying levels. The negative press on Hawaii residents not wanting tourists and Governor Green’s effort to increase taxes on tourists have had a negative effect on occupancy rates so the fixed and step costs have to covered by higher prices. As I posted elsewhere I believe we need compromise to improve wages as well as job security for workers and commensurate profits which in turn affect stock prices and People’s pensions and savings investments. So I am probably not
In favor with either camp. I think as a frequent visitor we are paying more for less but I think my issues are lower priority than helping
Those on low pay and keeping
Hospitality businesses in business.
Although HTA’s email announcing their Sept. 30 – Oct 2 Hawaii Tourism Conference features “Developing Hawai‘i’s Visitor Industry Workforce Pipeline” as a headline, there is scant mention of workforce industry topics in the agenda, and only 1 hour dedicated to this topic on the last day of conference sessions.
I know Workforce is not the focus of this conference, but it still seems like a missed opportunity to recognize a key element of Hawaii’s tourism experience –the people who provide it.
I have seen hotel prices skyrocket from pre-pandemic prices, making Hawaii not so attractive as a vacation destination for us any more. I doubt that wages for hotel workers have increased the same percentage as the hotel prices. With the reduction of employees and added workloads, plus the high cost of living in Hawaii, that’s just not right.
Problem here is now the hotels will just bring in workers from other countries like Haiti, Mexico, India and the middle east as they have been doing in the Main land USA and Europe, Britain.
Brexit has made that much more difficult why so many big corporations and investors like Soros spent so much to prevent it and still are.
I am not sure what “Brexit” has to do with Hawaii …most Hawaiians probably never heard of it and why would they?
I see both sides of this dispute and think we need a compromise to improve life for the hotel workers and ensure properties continue to be profitable to provide employment.
However, this is politically a very interesting situation. Governor Green is preaching against Short Term Rentals and trying to bring actions to suppress them saying visitors should switch to hotels while Local 5 members are proposing people switch from Hotels to Short Term Rentals. I find it surprising that members of the Union are opposing the Governor’s agenda in this area.
Union employees from other locals don’t cross picket lines. If and when a settlement is reached don’t be surprised if hotel rates and possibly resort fee’s increase. In the end the tourist will just pay more.
I do not know what the typical wage is for those workers. I know how very true it is that many of them Have to work two sometimes 3 jobs to make ends meet.
Just like all other people in other states. Nj you have to work at least two jobs as well just to pay the property taxes.
Wow, my family and I was staying in the Hilton village recently. We left on the 17th of September. Didn’t see this going on during our visit? I feel sad for the local Hawaiian folks, that are trying to survive the high cost there. We got great service, from those that worked there, hope they get what they need financially? They tried to get us to signup for a newer timeshare. Glad we didn’t with this going on, what’s going to happen later???
JMHO. it’s a battle, the union wants more hours, the hotels have found that they can do with less. I personally have no problem with less housekeeping service because I’m pretty neat, however, it’s a fact that many folks (understandably) would like daily housekeeping on their vacations because it part of Being on vacation
Best regards
They sure have a point for going on strike. The hotels are charging enormous room rates and pay little to their employees.
Athena hotels will pay them more money;but not out of their pockets. Unfortunately they will increase their rates and guests pay for it
This is a perfect example of why STVR’s are necessary to the economy
of Hawaii. If you eliminate the STVR’s the hotels have no competition and can control the Market. Our cleaning staff and local service contractors are greatly appreciated and well compensated. The hotels pricing has increased dramatically since the end of Covid, and it is sad to think that they have done nothing to support the local communities with more jobs and an equitable living wage.
Hotels still compete with one another. They don’t collude on pricing. There are already far too many STVRs in Hawai’i. At the very least, no new ones should be permitted. And as properties get sold, the STVR permit should also sunset.
Drew808:
I strongly disagree.
STVR’s don’t compete with hotels, employ thousands of HI residents and contribute billions of dollars to the states GDP every year. They also pay extremely high property, TAT and GEC taxes and their owners pay HI income taxes on their profits.
The above $, if they were to be removed from the state, would be financially catastrophic to the state’s economy.
I’ll leave it at that.
Homes are being scooped up by off-island residents for conversion to STVRs. It’s driving the price of housing through the roof and forcing Hawaiians to leave, fundamentally changing the nature of the very place you supposedly love. It needs to stop. Relying on others to pay your mortgage and a little side income is slowly destroying Hawaii.
Drew808. Don’t drink the kool-Aid. The market determines the price. Instead of building affordable housing, (as they could/should do) the politicians are trying to “take” STRs which is unconstitutional and they know it.
There now are “affordable” homes on the market but only if the politicians would subsidize them if they were “homesteads” by slashing real estate taxes and subsidizing electricity and financing. But they won’t do it.
Just fyi, prices on those STRV’s on Maui have been going down in Maui, but nobody can afford the rising HOA fees, mostlly due to the insurance companies raising their premiums by 1000% (yes, you read that right!) On the other hand, timeshare visitors are back at the resorts ….So, at the end it’s not individual owners making any profit, but insurance companies and time share resorts like the Westin…(PS: I am a Realtor & PM, but don’t own any short term rentals or timeshares)
There is a Common Denominator, Unions and Hawaii looking at Hotel workers, look at 55,000 SEIU works in Social Services and Hospital in LA, 33,000 at Boeing in Seattle, Textron Aviation in Wichita (Beechcraft), Frontier Airlines Flight Attendants, 45,000 Dockworkers on all East and Gulf Docks, UAW at Stellantis Plants (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep) and West Coast Docks are next! There are no coincidences! Election Season chaos.
Myself and 6 family members have reservation at embassy suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach walk Sept 30 thru Oct 7. Does anyone anticipate striking problems at this location and time frame? Any info info is helpful
Im here on holiday with my family from Australia, this is my kids first trip overseas and we have saved for a long time to get here, we are here just three nights on a stop over. I am supportive of all humans being paid a living wage, but this has been very hard for us. My kids have special needs and have been upset and scared from the constant noise. It has also been confronting to have protestors scream through a megaphone that ‘this is our island, this is our home’ which sounds like they dont want us here whenever we walk to the beach. In terms of service disruption, we have had to grab our own towels and toiletries, our rooms are not made up and we have had to empty our own bins. The bar and restaurant at the pool have been closed and there is no room service etc. These are all minor inconveniences and first world problems, however when you have been trying to get your nervous kids excited about a holiday, to have all the luxuries cut off has been disappointing.
I am so sorry to hear that. Hawaiians are not bad people. Don’t be afraid to talk to them. I wish they would have protested when those mega resorts were being built. However, it got worse when those resorts became time shares and locals not finding affordable housing. At least that has been the problem here on Maui. Still, no strikes in hotels here, probably because they temporarily housed them after the fires. Honolulu can be stressful. I was just there last week. You should ask for a refund from the Hilton. They make enough money. Hope you will have a better experience where ever you go next.
STR customers aren’t affected. We also try to keep our cleaning staff and local manager happy and treat them as the high value partners they are. I’d guess most STR owners do the same.
What is STR?
Short Term Rental
Usually a condo that’s owned by a private party and rented to families and couples for a few days to several weeks. Available on most large travel sites under the “vacation rental” button. Or Google it with the desired destination.
I agree. STRs serve a distinct market group within Hawaii tourism. These visitors will not just convert to being hotel guests; they are choosing STRs for reasons other than just a lower nightly rate. By discouraging STRs, Hawaii is cutting off an important, respectful, and loyal visitor base. STR guests are often more attuned with the values & needs of the communities they visit, than hotel guests generally are.
Aloha Rob+Jeff. I seriously don’t think that the hotels would give you a discount for lack of services. Many people will have to readjust their lodging options if they want a hassle free vacation. Just another ongoing issue that will make people rethink going to Hawaii. I do believe the employees are entitled to their demands. I support them and hope for a quick resolve for them.
Just came back to Maui from Honolulu. Stayed at the Outrigger which was fabulous except that I had to wait until 3pm to check in and that my room was not cleaned the next day (would have been ok, but I didn’t know ….). Regarding tourism, Waikiki was packed. In fact, I have never seen that many peope in Waikiki. On the other hand, Kaanapali Beach was empty before I left …never seen it that empty in mid September, so may be everyone is now going to Honolulu instead? Happy to be back in Maui!
I have seen hotel prices skyrocket from pre-pandemic prices, making Hawaii not so attractive as a vacation destination for us any more. I doubt that wages for hotel workers have increased the same percentage as the hotel prices. With the reduction of employees and added workloads, plus the high cost of living in Hawaii, that’s just not right.
We had reservations for Maui but changed them to Oahu when I started seeing protests about visitors on Maui. IMHO Maui is getting what they asked for.
Katheryn, Our recent guests (Kihei condo) have made very positive comments after their stays in our condo. And I’ve never heard of any “protests” on Maui against visitors. Switching to Oahu is your business but please don’t blame it on false rumors. The “coconut internet” is driven by a few people that are driving their own (old) self-serving agenda and are trying to take advantage of the Lahaina fire and comments by a few politicians that need to be voted out. They do not speak for the vast majority of Maui residents. Please reconsider Maui the next time you come to Hawaii. You’ll find Maui will welcome you with open arms and warmest Aloha.
I was just there in September and it was so crowded that I was happy tobe back in Maui. Maybe there are less tourists this month due to the strikes at major hotel chains. Enjoy!
I would like to see Hawaiian’s findings.
My suspicions were alerted when the fact that The individual was an electrical engineer was revealed and there is an attempt to claim it was the result of Hawaiian property and negligence. I may be too cynical but something here smells and it is not an overheating lithium cell.
Wow, does anyone know how long the strike will last?
Unless the headline was changed after your post it clearly states it is an “indefinite” strike.
I read “indefinite,” just wondered if someone on the inside knew more.