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Hawaii lawmakers hopeful as Inflation Reduction Act heads to Senate

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Hawaii lawmakers hopeful as Inflation Reduction Act heads to Senate


WASHINGTON — Some members of the Hawaii’s congressional delegation lauded this week’s shock settlement between Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on a sweeping measure geared toward lowering inflation, addressing local weather change and reducing well being care prices for thousands and thousands of People.

These hopeful lawmakers mentioned that the invoice, referred to as the Inflation Discount Act, couldn’t come at a greater time for his or her constituents: A examine launched in mid-July discovered Hawaii was the most costly state to dwell in amid record-high inflation within the U.S.


What You Want To Know

  • Some members of the Hawaii’s congressional delegation lauded this week’s shock settlement between Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on a sweeping measure geared toward lowering inflation, addressing local weather change and reducing well being care prices for thousands and thousands of People
  • These hopeful lawmakers mentioned that the invoice, referred to as the Inflation Discount Act, couldn’t come at a greater time for his or her constituents: A examine launched in mid-July discovered Hawaii was the most costly state to dwell in amid record-high inflation within the U.S.
  • Except for the local weather and vitality provisions within the proposal, Democrats say there are different components throughout the deal geared toward serving to People cope with increased client costs, together with reducing the prices of prescribed drugs

“The Inflation Discount Act is crucial to addressing most of the largest challenges we face. From reducing drug prices to tackling the local weather disaster and making the wealthiest firms pay their justifiable share, this invoice will ship actual change for the American individuals,” Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, mentioned in a Twitter submit on Thursday.

Lawmakers are hoping to vote on the invoice subsequent week, although it faces a tricky highway forward within the 50-50 Senate. Each vote is essential and Democrats cannot afford to lose a single vote on their aspect of the aisle, within the face of common Republican objection.

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The compromise happened two weeks after the laws gave the impression to be at an deadlock. Manchin wished to place local weather provisions and different components on the invoice on maintain amid inflationary pressures, within the wake of July’s report which confirmed that inflation hit a 40-year excessive.

After that growth, Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, spoke completely to Spectrum Information concerning the negotiation course of. Case has constantly mentioned that inflation and local weather change had been two of his largest priorities in Congress.

“Senator Manchin is entitled to his causes, and he’s entitled to its relationship along with his constituents,” he mentioned on the time. “In fact, his state is clearly nonetheless reliant upon an trade that we’ve got to alter. So, one can no less than perceive his place … it’s a really tough and irritating time.”

The proposal contains $369 billion for local weather and clear vitality provisions. If handed, the laws would represent the largest local weather funding ever taken up by Congress.

“I’m happy to report that this might be, by far, the largest local weather motion in human historical past,” Sen. Brian Schatz wrote on Twitter. “Practically $370 billion in tax incentives, grants, and different investments in clear vitality, clear transportation, vitality storage, dwelling electrification, climate-smart agriculture, and clear manufacturing makes this an actual local weather invoice.”

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“The planet is on hearth,” he continued. “Emissions reductions are the principle factor. That is monumental progress. Let’s get it executed.”

Except for the local weather and vitality provisions within the proposal, Democrats say there are different components throughout the deal geared toward serving to People cope with increased client costs, together with reducing the prices of prescribed drugs.

Even earlier than the latest soar in inflation, costs in Hawaii had been already a few of the highest within the nation. The state can also be coping with the worst unemployment fee adjustments within the nation, based on a examine launched by WalletHub. The examine discovered that Hawaii ranked fourth within the nation for unemployment claims.

Angi Gonzalez supplies political information protection from the Spectrum Information Washington, D.C. bureau on points and lawmakers from Hawaii.



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Hawaii

First Alert Weather: Trades back off slightly, generally dry to close out the weekend

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First Alert Weather: Trades back off slightly, generally dry to close out the weekend


Moderate to locally breezy trade winds will bring in passing showers, mainly during the overnight and morning hours for windward and mauka areas. The winds will back off slightly Sunday into Monday. A slightly wetter trade wind pattern will begin on Tuesday, but no major rainfall is expected.

Download HNN’s weather app for everything you need to plan your day.(Hawaii News Now)

In surf, a medium-period north-northwest swell will slowly decline Sunday. A slightly larger swell is anticipated to arrive Tuesday and peak Tuesday night. Some small southwest swells will maintain some small waves for south shores, with a slightly larger swell Tuesday into Wednesday. Surf on east shores will remain small through the week.



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76th Annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade blossoms in Waikiki

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76th Annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade blossoms in Waikiki


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Crowds filled up Kalakaua Avenue Saturday morning for the Aloha Festivals’ 76th annual Waikiki Hoolaulea.

The Aloha Festivals, first held in 1946, commemorate seven decades of Hawaiian celebrations through music, dance, and traditions.

The parade moved to Waikiki from Ala Moana Beach Park, down Kalakaua Avenue, to Kapiolani Park.

This year’s theme is ʻAʻa I Ka Hula. Each float in the parade is designed to honor the theme.

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Hundreds of volunteers were hard at work finishing up the last-minute details for the floats on Friday.

Aloha Festivals is known as the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the U.S.

Intricate and vibrant floats with thousands of fresh flowers and plants will be on display with traidtional pa’u riders, marching bands, decorated vehicles and the 2024 Royal Court.

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The floral parade is slated from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The roads will be closed at approximately 8 a.m.

Earlier this year, Aloha Festivals placed in USA Today’s 10 best cultural festivals in the US, alongside Merrie Monarch.

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For more information about the parade and other Aloha Festivals festivities, click here.



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These Hawaii Flight Attendants Don't Get Paid For This

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These Hawaii Flight Attendants Don't Get Paid For This


Flight attendants for major airlines flying to, from, and within Hawaii—such as Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest, American, and United—are at different stages of addressing compensation issues. Here’s a look at each airline’s current status and what’s ahead as Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines prepare to unite their flight attendant workforces under a single operating certificate.

Hawaiian Airlines.

Before joining forces with Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines has yet to introduce boarding pay for its flight attendants, which covers time spent assisting passengers before takeoff. Despite being a key carrier to, from, and within Hawaii, HA hasn’t taken public steps to implement boarding pay, and their union has not indicated any immediate moves toward achieving this compensation. As industry trends shift, pressure may mount on Hawaiian to reconsider its stance, especially as the integration with Alaska progresses.

Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines (pre-Hawaiian acquisition) flight attendants rejected a contract proposal in August that didn’t include boarding pay. Represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), they continue to push for this benefit, aligning with the growing trend for fair compensation.

The rejected three-year deal would have increased pay by 32%, offered retroactive pay, and included highly desired boarding pay. As negotiations continue, Alaska’s flight attendants remain focused on securing improved compensation, especially in light of the impending integration with Hawaiian Airlines.

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Southwest Airlines.

Southwest’s flight attendants ratified a new contract earlier this year that included a 22% pay raise but did not feature boarding pay. Despite discussions around this issue during negotiations, Southwest’s focus on shorter domestic routes may have made boarding pay less of a priority. This decision aligns Southwest with other major carriers that don’t compensate flight attendants for boarding time.

American Airlines.

American Airlines recently became the first major unionized airline to secure boarding pay, marking a significant win for its 28,0000 flight attendants. Following a prolonged campaign and a strike authorization, American’s flight attendants will now receive half their regular rate during boarding. This groundbreaking achievement set a new industry standard and re-energized flight attendants across other airlines in pursuing similar compensation.

Delta Air Lines.

Delta made headlines in 2022 by introducing half-pay for boarding, becoming the first U.S. airline to offer this benefit despite not having a unionized flight attendant workforce. This move was seen as an effort to stay competitive and help curb unionization efforts.

Delta’s decision created momentum across the industry, influencing negotiations at American Airlines and encouraging flight attendants at other carriers to pursue similar compensation packages. It’s estimated that, on average, a Delta flight attendant might earn an additional $20 per flight for boarding time.

United Airlines.

United Airlines flight attendants actively demand boarding pay in their ongoing contract negotiations. They have planned a significant “day of action” on October 17 at United’s corporate headquarters in Chicago to protest the stalled talks, reflecting a growing dissatisfaction with the current pay structure. The recently inked deal at American Airlines might add momentum to United flight attendants’ efforts, potentially influencing their ability to secure boarding pay as well.

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What’s Next for Hawaii Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian?

Here’s what their flight attendant union said about the joint labor force as a single carrier:

When they unite as a single carrier, the union representing Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants aims to “combine the best from each Flight Attendant Contract in addition to other improvements.”

The tentative joint contract will require approval from all flight attendants in the merged group. This includes negotiating boarding pay, an issue gaining momentum across the industry. With Delta and American Airlines leading the way, pressure is mounting for Hawaii-serving airlines to compensate flight attendants fairly, potentially reshaping industry pay standards.

Do you think Hawaii flight attendants should receive boarding pay?





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