Honolulu hotel workers earn wages set primarily through collective bargaining with UNITE HERE Local 5 and the statewide minimum wage law, since Hawaiʻi preempts city-set living wages and county pay floors above the state minimum.
Unlike Los Angeles or Long Beach, Honolulu does not have a hotel-specific living wage ordinance. Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §387-2 sets a statewide minimum wage that ratchets to $18.00 per hour by January 1, 2028, and HRS §387-9 preempts local wage floors above the state level. Most large Waikīkī hotels are unionized under UNITE HERE Local 5, and master contracts establish above-minimum hourly rates, healthcare contributions, and workload limits. The City and County of Honolulu enforces only the prevailing wage on city-funded construction projects under ROH Chapter 6 — not hotel operations.
Wage violations are pursued by the state Wage Standards Division, with back wages, civil penalties up to $500 per violation, and possible criminal charges for willful nonpayment under HRS §388.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu protects designated 'exceptional trees' under Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) Chapter 40, Article 8. Removing or destroying any exceptional tre...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. HOA and condo covenants under HRS 421J and 514B commonly regulate ornament...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size and blower noise are governed by HOA and condo covenants under HRS 42...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants ...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu requires DPP building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas line plumbing, electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, or structural roofs/pergolas. Stand...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no smoker-specific ordinance. Hawaii Department of Health air pollution rules under HAR Chapter 11-60.1 apply to large commercial sources, not r...
See how Honolulu's hotel living wage rules stack up against other locations.
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