Blog Archives

Public should take priority when framing ‘public policy’

Posted on April 14, 2020 by freecatholic808 — 5 Comments

The landscape is not as bleak as it might seem in the shadow of COVID-19. House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke has just given low-wage workers reason to hope. She is reported to have said recently when asked about the state…

Do legislators feel the “fierce urgency of now?” Voters want to see that they do.

Posted on October 2, 2019 by freecatholic808 — Leave a comment

This OpEd was first published in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, Oct 2, 2019. I have the privilege of working with various nonprofits on issues of community well-being. These nonprofits are doing courageous work on shoestring budgets, filling the potholes in…

Speaker Saiki cites Obama to explain failure to raise the minimum wage. Really???

Posted on June 5, 2019 by freecatholic808 — Leave a comment

While Speaker Saiki’s recent OpEd (Honolulu Star Advertiser 5/27/2019) makes passing reference to “a blue state like Hawaii,” his arguments for why the legislature failed to ensure a raise for working people are more likely to make them see red.…

Tagged with: Living wage, Minimum Wage Hawaii, Scott Saiki, Sheela Jane Menon, Sid Goldstein
Posted in I BLOG, Justice, Living wage, Uncategorized, Workers' Rights

‘Democratic’ lawmakers fail to pass living wage for Hawaii workers

Posted on May 3, 2019 by freecatholic808 — 5 Comments

National and local research has shown that raising the minimum wage is good for the economy. Yet, despite an avalanche of calls from workers, clergy, enlightened businesspeople, mental health experts and doctors, Hawaii lawmakers let the minimum wage bill die…

PLEASE CALL/EMAIL NOW: There is still time to raise the minimum wage for Hawaii’s struggling workers

Posted on April 29, 2019 by freecatholic808 — Leave a comment

GUEST POST BY GARY HOOSER This past Friday, the House was unable to get the approvals needed from their Finance Committee to pass the minimum wage bill out of the Conference Committee. Unless another committee meeting is scheduled tomorrow, April…

Tagged with: Fight for $15 Hawaii, Living Wage Hawaii, raise up Hawaii
Posted in I BLOG, Living wage

A living wage aids mental health and allows workers to be more present at work. That’s good for business.

Posted on April 25, 2019 by freecatholic808 — Leave a comment

Time is of the essence! Please email these legislators now: Rep. Aaron Johanson – repjohanson@capitol.hawaii.gov Rep. Sylvia Luke – repluke@capitol.hawaii.gov Sen. Brian Taniguchi – sentaniguchi@capitol.hawaii.gov Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran – senkeithagaran@capitol.hawaii.gov Sen. Stanley Chang – senchang@capitol.hawaii.gov For the bill to pass…

Tagged with: Living wage, mental health, Trisha Kajimura
Posted in I BLOG, Living wage, Uncategorized

Working multiple jobs and not able to meet basic needs? There is no aloha in condemning workers to less than a living wage.

Posted on April 25, 2019 by freecatholic808 — Leave a comment

Tagged with: Fight for $15, Keali'i Lopez, living wage HI, Nate Hix
Posted in I BLOG, Living wage, Uncategorized

“All faith traditions say take care of the vulnerable.” Tell lawmakers we need a living wage now.

Posted on April 24, 2019 by freecatholic808 — 1 Comment

A living wage would benefit not just workers, but businesses and the overall state economy as well. Time is of the essence! Please email these legislators as soon as possible, but definitely by the end of the day on Thursday,…

Tagged with: Fight for $15 Hawaii, Living wage, Rev. David Gierlach
Posted in I BLOG, Living wage, Uncategorized

Poverty undermines children’s health: Hawaiʻi families need a living wage now.

Posted on April 24, 2019 by freecatholic808 — Leave a comment

You can help: please call the following members of the conference committee for SB789. Let them know you want them to pass a $15 minimum wage bill this year for ALL workers. REPRESENTATIVES Johanson (586-9470); Luke (586-6200), Cullen (586-8490) and…

Tagged with: Dr. Robert Pantell, Fight for $15 Hawaii, Living wage, raise up Hawaii
Posted in I BLOG, Living wage, Uncategorized

Families are leaving Hawaii for lack of a living wage. Tell lawmakers to enact a $15/hour minimum wage now.

Posted on April 24, 2019 by freecatholic808 — Leave a comment

"Because of not having a living wage… I can't afford my tuition… I can't start my career here, and I can't start my life here. I have to move out." – Ma Glidolet Rallojay, UH Manoa student. Go to https://t.co/m2ermm6lzZ…

Tagged with: Living wage, Ma Glodilet Rallojay, UH Manoa
Posted in Family and Friends, I BLOG, Living wage, Uncategorized