Hawaii
Nearly 5,000 Hawaii hotel workers could walk off the job as vote to strike looms
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Nearly 5,000 hotel workers at some of Waikiki’s biggest hotels, such as Hilton Hawaiian Village and Sheraton Waikiki, could walk off the job if they vote to strike on Thursday.
Their union, Unite Here Local 5!, claims they have not gotten a raise in two years to meet rising inflation and want better staffing conditions.
“You know, living paycheck to paycheck is so hard for me because I have kids,” one worker at Hilton Hawaiian Village said.
Hawaii News Now has reached out to the hotels involved in negotiations and is waiting to hear back.
The chair of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Mufi Hannemann, says the timing is unfortunate as the industry has been working to recover from the Maui wildfires a year ago.
“You don’t want to see strikes happen. That’s the last option we want to see,” Hannemann said.
“Hopefully, they can come to an agreement. I’m the eternal optimist, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that will happen.”
But Hanneman says there is some good news. The June Hotel Performance Report shows that despite the overall state occupancy being down about 1% from last year, every island but Maui surpassed its 2023 June numbers. The Valley Isle is down 13%.
“Its numbers are a drag on the rest of the state, and we need to continue our focus on Maui,” said Hannemann.
To try to turn that around, Hannemann says the HTA will launch a multimillion-dollar campaign in September aimed at Southern California, with a special emphasis on marketing Maui.
Back on Oahu, the overall state of Hawaii’s tourism sector is far from the minds of Tuesday’s 1,000 picketers who could be going without a paycheck if they vote to strike on Thursday.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Emergency crews responded to a medical incident offshore of Kualoa Regional Park Tuesday.
The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department said rescuers were called around 1:01 p.m. for an unresponsive adult man aboard a vessel about 10 miles offshore in Kaneohe waters.
Crews met the vessel near Mokolii, also known as Chinaman’s Hat, where a lifeguard boarded and began CPR and oxygen treatment.
The man was transported to Kualoa Regional Park, where Honolulu Emergency Medical Services took over care and continued advanced treatment.
No additional information about the man’s condition was immediately available.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Kilauea began a new episode of lava fountaining at its summit today, prompting an ashfall advisory for parts of Hawaii Island.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Episode 46 started at 8:17 a.m. inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater, with activity confined to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The volcano remains at watch alert level and orange aviation color code, indicating heightened unrest with increased potential for eruption hazards.
The National Weather Service issued an ashfall advisory through 8 p.m. for areas downwind of the summit, including Volcano and Mountain View.
Light and variable winds shifting southeast are expected to carry volcanic gas and ash across the summit region and toward the north and northwest areas.
Tephra, including ash and Pele’s hair, is most likely within about 3 miles of the vents, but lighter material can travel much farther.
Officials said impacts are expected to be limited, though ash particles can irritate eyes and lungs, especially for those with respiratory conditions.
Residents are urged to limit exposure by staying indoors when possible, closing windows and doors and wearing masks and eye protection if going outside.
People with water catchment systems should cover and disconnect them to prevent contamination.
Anyone observing ashfall is encouraged to report conditions to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at hawaiiash.science/report_form.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One of the world’s premier adaptive surfing events is getting underway in Waikiki.
AccesSurf Hawaii is hosting the 2026 Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships this week, with competition beginning Tuesday, May 5, and running through Friday, May 8, at Queen’s Surf Break.
Now in its 18th year, the championships are part of the Adaptive Surfing Professionals World Tour and bring together more than 90 adaptive surfers from around the world competing across multiple divisions.
Organizers said the championships highlight not only elite competition, but also community, culture and inclusion.
“The Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships is a powerful gathering of athletes, community and purpose,” said AccesSurf Executive Director Zoe Lewis. “We are proud to host this in Waikiki, where adaptive surfers can compete at an elite level while also experiencing the culture, community and spirit of Hawaii.”
Events began Monday with an opening ceremony at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, kicking off a week of competition and activities.
In addition to the surf competition, the week includes special events such as the Hawaiʻi premiere of The Incredible Paulk on May 6 and a community pau hana gathering on May 7.
Surf competition runs daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will also be streamed live online.
The public is invited to attend and support the athletes, with the week wrapping up Friday with an awards ceremony.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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