Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the main stories we've been following today:
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The region will be influenced by breezy east trade winds over the next several days. Dry, but cloudy conditions are expected, with rain showers favoring the windward exposures and higher terrain. The Kona region slopes along the Big Island will be the exception, where thicker cloud cover and better rain chances are likely during the day.
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Today's Big Stories
1. Union workers at Hawaii's largest hotel go on strike
About 2,000 workers went on strike Tuesday at Hawaii's largest resort, joining thousands of others striking at hotels in other U.S. cities.
Unionized workers at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort — the largest Hilton in the world — began an open-ended strike at 5 a.m. They are calling for conditions including higher wages, more manageable workloads and a reversal of cuts implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic such as limited daily room cleaning.
Hilton representatives didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment on the strike.
Greg and Kerrie Sellers woke up Tuesday to drum beats, whistles and chants that they could hear coming from below their balcony at the resort.
“We heard the commotion from when we first woke up this morning," Greg Sellers recalled as they sat on a bench overlooking a lagoon outside the resort. "I don’t know that it’s going to have a great impact on our time here. I guess we’re sympathetic to the cause because ... the working rights over in Australia are much, much better than what they seem to be ... over here.”
Beachgoers sunbathing or sitting under umbrellas at the stretch of Waikiki beach near the resort could hear the strikers in the distance as hotel guests enjoyed the pool, shops and restaurants throughout the sprawling resort.
Outside on the street, workers marched and chanted bearing signs with slogans such as “One Job Should Be Enough,” which reflects how many Hawaii residents work multiple jobs to afford living in a state with an extremely high cost of living.
With the start of Tuesday's strike, more than 4,000 hotel workers are now on strike at Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott hotels in Honolulu, San Diego and San Francisco, according to the UNITE HERE union. They will strike until they win new contracts, the union said, warning that more strikes could begin soon.
More than 10,000 hotels workers across the U.S. went on strike on Labor Day weekend, with most ending after two or three days.
It was unclear how the strike would impact hotel services. The union warned that hotels where workers are striking may suspend services while trying to operate with skeleton staffing, and picket lines will run outside hotels for up to 24 hours a day.
2. Groundbreaking held for affordable workforce housing in Waikoloa Village
In an ongoing effort to solve the state’s affordable housing crisis, Hawaii County broke ground on Tuesday for a new affordable workforce rental housing development in Waikoloa Village.
The new Na Hale Makoa will have 139 one-, two- and three-bedroom units serving households earning up to 140% of the Area Median Income, plus one resident manager’s unit, according to a release. Each unit will come with a washer/dryer, range, refrigerator, vinyl plank flooring, window coverings, ceiling fans, a private lanai and storage closet.
The pet-friendly community will also include a recreation center with a kitchen for meetings/gatherings, a resource and technology center with high-speed internet access, management office and keiki playground. Picnic areas and walking/biking paths will be throughout the area.
Construction will take just over a year with move-ins anticipated for the first quarter of 2026.
Applications will be accepted around Sept. 2025.
3. Public preschool opens in Windward Oahu for the first time
Early education hit a milestone in Windward Oahu when the Benjamin Parker Elementary School opened two new public preschool classrooms. They are the first of their kind in Kaneohe, part of the Ready Keiki initiative to ensure all Hawaii keiki are equipped to enter kindergarten.
On Monday, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke together with Executive Office on Early Learning Director Yuuko Arikawa-Cross and area legislators Representative Lisa Kitagawa, Representative Scot Z. Matayoshi and Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, visited one of the two classrooms.
The two classrooms can accommodate 40 students. Keiki experiencing specific learning, language and family situations were given priority enrollment.
“The opening of these two preschool classrooms at Benjamin Parker is not only a huge step for our Windward Oahu community but a testament to the importance of expanding early education across the state,” said Lt. Gov. Luke in a news release. “Whether here in Kaneohe, Hilo, or Wailuku, keiki across Hawaii, no matter where they live, should have access to high-quality early education.”
Starting Oct. 1, families living and working in Windward Oahu are encouraged to apply for open enrollment to EOEL’s Public Prekindergarten Program for remaining seats through the online portal. All families, regardless of priority group, are encouraged to apply. Call EOEL at 808-784-5350 for more information.
See where child care centers and public and private preschools are located in Windward Oahu on the Ready Keiki map.
4. U.S. Department of Homeland Security gives Hawaii $803,330 to prevent targeted violence
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is giving the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement Office of Homeland Security a $803,330 grant to prevent targeted violence.
Targeted violence refers to violence that is premeditated and directed at specific individuals, groups, or locations. Perpetrators often select targets based on grievances. This may be motivated by religious ideologies, political beliefs, conspiracy theories or they may be victims of bullying.
“This award demonstrates a commitment by DHS’ Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships to help us protect our communities from increasing threats of targeted violence,” said Frank Pace, OHS Administrator, in a statement.
The Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant will help improve the state’s targeted violence prevention training for nonprofits, public and private schools, and government agencies. It will also be used by OHS to help Guam develop its targeted violence prevention program, according to a release.
5. Queen's Bath closed through winter for public safety
The Ocean Safety Bureau has closed the access gate to Queen’s Bath through the winter in the interest of public safety, effective immediately.
“Access to the gate is closed due to hazardous ocean conditions and anticipation of the winter season,” said Ocean Safety Bureau Chief Kalani Vierra in a release. “We urge the public that entry in these hazardous conditions can result in injuries or drownings, and neglecting these warnings places our first responders' lives unnecessarily at risk.”
Kauai residents and visitors can speak to county lifeguards at any lifeguard station, visit the Safe Beach Day website or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984 for up-to-date information on ocean conditions.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Thursday, Sept. 26
- President Joe Biden welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House. The two leaders discuss 'the state of the war between Russia and Ukraine, including Ukraine's strategic planning and U.S. support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression'. Vice President Kamala Harris separately meets with President Zelenskyy at the White House and discusses the administration's 'unshakeable commitment to stand with Ukraine until it prevails in this war'
- House of Representatives Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump hearing on 'The Ongoing Investigation of the Butler, Pennsylvania Security Failure: The Secret Service's Reliance on State and Local Law Enforcement'
- New York Appeals Court hears oral arguments in Trump Organization’s attempt to overturn civil fraud judgment
- Unemployment weekly claims report
- Former FOX News host Tucker Carlson continues 'Tucker Carlson Live' tour with a stop in Greenville, SC, featuring guest Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
- Batman becomes first superhero with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- 15th Presidents Cup golf tournament: U.S. vs. International Team of non-Europeans.
In Case You Missed It
One of the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study events in 2024. (Photo courtesy of the University of Hawaii)
UH Maui hosting Saturday event to recruit more people to wildfire exposure study
TOn Saturday, the University of Hawaii Maui College is inviting the public to attend a free Wellness Fest on the Great Lawn with food, live music, health consultations, karaoke, a keiki zone and more.
The goal of the Wellness Fest is to recruit more participants to a longitudinal study that looks at the health and social impacts of the Maui wildfires.
More than 1,200 people are already participating in the study, but UH Manoa researchers are hoping to enroll more people at the event, according to a news release.
Earlier this month, the state of Hawaii provided $2.3 million to expand the study, allowing it to increase its reach to 2,000 participants. Researchers are hoping to enroll more children and first responders, and to build the infrastructure for a comprehensive survivor registry targeting up to 10,000 survivors.
At Saturday’s event, UH Manoa Professors Ruben Juarez and Alika Maunakea, who are the lead researchers in the study, and other researchers will discuss the study’s findings, deliver individualized results to participants, and help them connect with health care providers.
The event will occur on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at UH Maui College’s Great Lawn.