Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, January 26, 2020

A THIRTEEN DOLLAR AN HOUR MINIMUM WAGE BY 2024 "is not a 'good first step.' It's actually a step backward," says Gary Hooser, founder of Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action and the Pono Initiative. The former state Senator released a statement this past week, saying, "Anyone working 40 hours a week deserves to earn a wage sufficient to provide a dry and safe place to sleep, three meals a day, and basic health care." Hooser was referring to the joint state Senate, House of Representatives, and Governor's proposal calling for stepping up the minimum wage from $10.10 per hour over time.
     He noted that the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism "has determined that for a single person without children the hourly wage needed to simply subsist is approximately $17.50 per hour (plus or minus depending on the island, etc). Note this is the State of Hawaiʻi's official subsistence wage and includes no-frills whatsoever… just the basics of staying alive."
     Hooser linked the wages to Hawaiʻi suffering the second-highest homeless rate per capita in
the United States. "Our current minimum wage sits at $10.10 per hour and nearly 50 percent of our residents live on the very edge of poverty. Almost everyone is working two jobs or more, simply etching out a life devoid of the extras, so many of us take for granted. Thank god we have our warm weather and beautiful natural environment to help get us through the days."

Former state Sen. Gary Hooser says a $13 an hour minimum wage by 2024 would nothelp enough in uplifting working people  living in poverty in Hawai`i. Photo from GaryHooser.com

     Hooser pointed out that the Governor, House, and Senate, with much fanfare, announced as a "good first step" their plan to increase Hawaiʻi's minimum wage to $13 per hour by 2024. Hooser said, "Let's do the math. In their own press release, the Legislature and the Governor talk of studies that show how single individuals and families are struggling to make $28,296 to $77,052 a year.
     "Unfortunately, the $13 an hour they propose by 2024 doesn't actually add up to helping anyone get even to that lowest threshold; $13 an hour, 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, adds up to only $27,040. The inadequacy of the $13 per hour offer is even more apparent when you calculate the inflation which will accrue between now and 2024.
     "Remember, a subsistence wage now is $17.50 per hour and nearly half of our population lives on the edge of poverty. And here we are listening to the magnanimous offer of $13 – in 2024." Hooser said that the most recent "position" of the Hawaiʻi Senate (via House Bill 1191 SD2) was $15 per hour by 2023. "So no, $13 per hour in 2024 is not a good first step - unless, of course, the intent is to step backward. And no, the other elements of the package (tax credits and housing initiatives) do not replace the basic need to pay people fair wages for a fair day's work.
     "A 'good first step' is allowing legislators to publicly vote on what a clear and strong majority have said they publicly support, which is at least $15 per hour. An even better first step would be passing a measure that reaches the $17 target and includes annual cost of living increases. That is the step Hawaiʻi's working families need and the only step that will ensure they eventually achieve a true living wage."
     Concerning small businesses that fear negative impacts from having to increase their workers' wages, Hooser said they "need only look at the recent history in Hawaiʻi for reassurance.When Hawaiʻi's minimum wage was increased from $7.25 to $10.10, there were no increases in bankruptcy, no increases in unemployment, and no increases in inflation (outside the normal trend). It is well past the time that everyone in Hawaiʻi who works 40 hours a week can afford a dry, safe place to live, eat three meals a day, and go to the doctor when they are sick. Anything less is immoral and unacceptable."
     Hooser suggests contacting legislators. State Senators list and contact info is here. State Representatives list and contact info is here. Visit Living Wage Hawaiʻi and Raise Up Hawaiʻi.