HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – While workers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village fight for better wages and a bigger workforce, they are also heading into another fight — for unemployment benefits.

They could be eligible, but maybe not, if they do too much damage to the hotel’s income.

At the picket line at the Kalia Road entrance to the Hilton Hawaiian Village, like his colleagues, 9-year bellman Gerritt Vincent filed for unemployment but may not know for years if he will get paid.

“They told us we shouldn’t really expect much, but just to apply because you know, we’re worth it,” Vincent said.

Vincent says with no money coming in, unemployment payments would be helpful.

“I told my kids, ‘We’re sorry. We’re not going to go to McDonald’s. I told my wife, ‘Sorry, we can’t go to Target for next few days, we’re going to have to eat what we have at the house,’” he said.

Cade Watanabe, UNITE Local 5 financial secretary-treasurer, said, “We’re telling all of our members not to depend on it, not to expect it.”

That’s because it depends on how much the strike impacts Hilton’s bottom line.

Under Hawaii law and court rulings, if a strike has little or no impact on operations, workers are eligible for unemployment benefits. If the company loses 20 to 30% or more of its revenue, the workers are not eligible.

Even experts, like state House Labor Committee Chair Scot Matayoshi, can find it confusing.

“It’s honestly kind of counterintuitive to me, too,” he said.

It seems backward because strikes are designed to damage and even shut down the employer, but if the union succeeds in that, they don’t get unemployment.

Matayoshi says the law seems structured as a compromise, supporting striking workers without disabling their employers.

“If the strike is to such an extent that the whole business gets shut down, especially a crucial business, like a hospital, then unemployment benefits are withheld as perhaps incentive not to do that,” he said.

But it also creates another conflict between owners and workers. Employers will fight the unemployment applications, by offering the state Labor Department proof of business disruption severe enough for the state to deny the benefits,

“That’s something that will take a lot of time, ” Watanabe said. “That also will require the employer to share their financials.”

Financials the union will challenge on behalf of its workers, in disputes that can go on for years.

And every dispute is unique.

For example, nurses who were locked out from Kapiolani Hospital, didn’t leave voluntarily and the hospital still operated. But the Labor Department says the nurses’ eligibility is still under review.

While the law confusion seems to require change to the law, even with all the power labor has in the state, unions fear that by opening up the labor laws at the legislature could lead to unexpected negative consequences.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

(BIVN) – Three decades ago, the last local sugar plantation closed in Hāmākua. For the next two weeks, Honokaʻa town will host Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival in reflection on that era. 

From the Honokaʻa Heritage Center news release promoting the event:

The 2024 Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival, is a community-driven heritage event that will honor the stories and people who built the economy and culture of the Hāmākua Coast. Timed to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1994 closure of the last local sugar plantation, the Festival will salute surviving plantation workers, highlight the contributions of each of the various ethnic groups that immigrated to work on the plantations, showcase sustainable agricultural initiatives with promise for the post-sugar era, and explore the roots of resilience in the local community as it confronted the economic and social impacts of the closure.

The Honoka‘a Heritage Center is working closely with local community groups to organize and host a diverse lineup of fun, family-friendly events across Honoka‘a Town over a two-week period (Oct. 5-20, 2024). The Festival is expected to attract at least 6,000 attendees, from around the island and state, as well as from overseas.

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Festival highlights include:

Recognizing the Sugar Workers Luncheon – Sat., Oct. 5 (Invite only)

If you or a family member worked for Hamakua Sugar Company, please contact (808) 437-1947 for tickets to this free luncheon saluting the sugar workers.

Screenings of New Documentary Film, “Roots of Resilience: Stories of Hāmākua Sugar” (Free to attend)
Throughout the festival, attendees can view free screenings of the Honoka‘a Heritage Center’s new film based on its 2023 oral history project. Roots of Resilience: Stories of Hāmākua Sugar is a one-hour documentary that features compelling first-person stories of local sugar workers, their families, and community members, capturing the profound impact of the sugar plantation era on the Hāmākua Coast. Screenings at the Honoka‘a People’s Theatre on Oct. 11 (5 pm and 7pm), Oct. 12 (2 pm) and Oct. 13 (5pm and 7pm).

Softball Tournament – Sun., Oct. 6, 9 am (Free to attend)
An Intergenerational Softball Tournament at Honoka a County Park will bring back the friendly competition of the old “camp against camp” games. Refreshments available for purchase.

Photo of final harvest parade, courtesy the Honokaʻa Heritage Center

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Family Friendly Fun at the Hāmākua County Fair – Sat., Oct. 12, all day (Free to attend)
The Hāmākua County Fair promises a day full of excitement for everyone:10:00 a.m.: Parade through Honoka a Town ʻ11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Live music on the main stage at the Honoka a Park Complex (Hālau Kuaunu, Ryan Hiraoka, Kingside, Pas & Sala, Hui Hoʻokani, the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, Kalapana Awa Band and more!)

All Day:

Vendors throughout the Honoka‘a Park Complex, including local food and artisanal crafts.

Keiki activities: Pumpkin patch, costume contest, races, STEM games, face painting, and bounce house.

“Sugar Town” inside the county gym features vendors of all things sweet, student art show, sale of festival merchandise, lucky number drawings, demonstrations, and commemorative Pogs.

Hāmākua Energy Agriculture and Sustainability Expo, with exhibitors offering information, demos, games, and giveaways focused on sustainable agriculture and ranching. Attendees can explore traditional and modern farming techniques and learn how to incorporate sustainable practices.

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On Māmāne Street, visitors can enjoy the Mutt Contest and Poi Dog Pageant at the former Bank of Hawaii parking lot; and a Cultural Village at the Honokaʻa Heritage Center with cultural exhibits and demonstrations. The Plantation Worker Hub at the Honokaʻa Union Hall will be a place for workers and their families to gather, share stories, and even record oral histories.

Cultural Heritage Events – Oct. 14-17 & 20 (Free to attend)
Cultural Heritage Events will celebrate some of the diverse ethnic groups who immigrated to work on the plantation, put down roots, and contributed to the unique “local” culture that characterizes Hawai‘i today:

Japanese Night: Oct. 14, 5 p.m. – Presentation by Dr. Patsy Iwasaki about Katsu Goto, plus food, followed at 7 p.m. by the film “Picture Bride” at the Honokaʻa People s Theatre.

Portuguese Night: Oct. 15, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. – Portuguese games, food, demos and exhibits at the Honoka‘a Heritage Center.

Filipino Night: Oct. 16, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. – Guest speaker on Filipino contributions to the labor movement, with refreshmants at the Honoka‘a People s Theatre.

Puerto Rican Night: Oct. 17, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. – Dance to Katchi Katchi music at the People’s Theatre; meet master cuatro maker John Guzman; food and exhibits.

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Hawaiian Night: – Postponed; date TBA

Plantation Night at Honokaʻa High School Football Game – Oct. 18, 6 p.m. ($4 Seniors, $8 General admission)

Join us to root for the home team while honoring the Sugar Workers during the halftime show.

Golf Tournament – Oct. 20 (Paid player registration required, free to watch)

The festival will conclude with a Plantation Golf Tournament at the historic plantation-era Hāmākua Country Club.

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Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Honoka‘a Heritage Center is deeply grateful to the County of Hawai‘i for seed financial support and logistical assistance. We also wish to thank the many generous corporate sponsors whose donations have make the Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival possible. To date, the list (still in formation) includes: Sugar Legacy Sponsor: Hāmākua Energy; Sugar Mill Sponsors: Honokaʻa Hospital and Skilled Nursing, KTA Super Stores, CPB Foundation, Kualoa Ranch, and Turo; Sugar Harvester Sponsor: Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company; Sugar Cane Sponsors: HFS Federal Credit Union, Isemoto Contracting Co., Creative Arts Hawaii, Hawaii Affordable Properties, Honua Ola Bioenergy, Dodo Mortuary, Inc., Big Island Mechanical and Construction, Hawaii Johns, HPM Building Supply, Walmart, R. Sakata Insurance, and Bank of Hawaiʻi; and Sugar Planter Sponsors: Kuwaye Trucking, Donna’s Cookies, Kuhio Grille, Hawai‘i Community FCU, Kolea Hop Water, and I Luv Dumplings.

A growing number of community partners have provided generous in-kind support throughout the planning of the Festival. They include Hāmākua-Kohala Health, Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water, Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope, Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Hawai‘i Community College, and Honoka‘a Public House.

The full schedule of events can be found at the Hāmākua Sugar Days website. 

A beloved character from a series of animated films is making its way to the Hilo Palace Theater for the first time with the production of “Shrek the Musical,” which opens today.

Director Jennie Kaneshiro was not sold on the idea when deciding what show to pick for the Palace’s fall musical, but after her husband watched every option she had on her list, he encouraged her to watch “Shrek the Musical.”

“I watched it, and I immediately just saw how special the show is. It’s an anti-fairy tale that delivers a message of nonconformity by embracing who you are and celebrating that,” Kaneshiro said. “It flips the very idea of a fairy tale on its head, and I love that about this show.”

“Shrek the Musical” is based on the 2001 DreamWorks Animation film “Shrek” and was adapted in 2008 for the stage, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire.

A diverse cast and crew of all ages will bring the story and characters to life at the Palace Theater thanks to colorful costumes, elaborate dance pieces, and many humorous moments.

“In true DreamWorks style, there are plenty of laughs for adults and keiki. It’s truly a fun show for the whole family,” Kaneshiro said. “During rehearsal, we’ve just been laughing and laughing. It feels like we’re always in celebration mode, which makes the environment so fun.”

As he channels his inner ogre every night, Kyden De Sa has been working on all of the aspects that make the character of Shrek iconic, including his Scottish accent.

“I grew up with the film, and it is great source material to pull from. I think the role is intimidating in the sense that it’s a cult classic and well-known,” De Sa said. “It’s a challenge, especially with the specificity of this character, but one that I’m eager to take on.”

The musical follows a similar plot line as the movie, but the addition of songs and dance provides a different outlook on each character.

Theon Weber will be playing the lovable and hilarious Donkey, who sticks by Shrek’s side — much to his dismay. Danny Randerson will shrink by a few feet to play the dictatorial antagonist, Lord Farquaad, as he pursues a princess.

Angie Roiniotis is playing Princess Fiona, who experiences a tumultuous journey of learning self-love and acceptance with the help of an unlikely ally.

“These are iconic characters, but we have to make them bigger and bolder for the musical version,” Roiniotis said. “The musical really brings out the magic of the movie that people know and has a great message for keiki in the show and watching in the audience. Although, I think there’s a little something for everybody.”

To help alleviate the workload for Kaneshiro, Robin Ziroli joined the production side of the show as an assistant director after falling in love with the humor and the theme.

“At first glance, the show is outrageous with its farting, burping and nonstop jokes, which is truly so fun,” Ziroli said. “I’m personally excited for my princess-obsessed daughter to watch such a different version of fairy tales and to see a fierce, strong princess like Fiona.”

During the audition process, Kaneshiro was pleasantly surprised by the amount of new faces she saw and all the talent they possessed. She decided to jump into the unknown with several fresh actors and crew members and help them through their first musical theater experience.

“I was truly blown away by the new talent and open hearts of so many of these performers. It’s been a cool experience to grow this show, and it feels like a real community theater moment,” Kaneshiro said. “Musical theater takes a lot of courage — similarly to ‘Shrek,’ which is about embracing who you are no matter what and celebrating that.”

According to cast members, Kaneshiro and Ziroli have worked together to create an uplifting atmosphere for the all-ages cast and crew.

“I love working with Jennie and Robin and especially in this setting. They’ve created a close-knit community and have instilled just encouraging, good vibes,” De Sa said. “It’s setting a great example for the keiki in the show on how stage productions should be while also nurturing their passions.”

Each year, the Palace Theater’s fall musical productions serve as its flagship fundraiser, which helps further its mission to restore, revitalize and sustain the historic building as a venue for educating and entertaining the Hilo community.

According to Palace’s Executive Director Phillips Payson, ticket sales from “Shrek the Musical” will go directly toward supporting the mission and ensuring the theater will continue to produce quality entertainment for generations to come.

“Shrek the Musical” will be showing for three weekends, beginning tonight, and closing on Sunday, Oct. 20. Performances will start at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are available online at hilopalace.com.

Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.