More than 1,500 hotel and service industry workers are expected to gather in Waikiki on Wednesday afternoon to mark International Workers’ Day and advocate for changes they believe are long overdue.

Cade Watanabe, Financial Secretary & Treasurer of Local 5, expressed concerns about the current state of the industry, stating, “Our industry is broken. For the thousands of hospitality workers in Local 5 who show up every day to serve our guests, we’re struggling to get ahead and can’t provide the level of service our guests deserve.”

Unite Here Local 5, the union representing these workers, highlights issues such as being overworked, understaffed, and undervalued, with pandemic-related cuts still affecting the workforce. Despite increased profits in major hotels in Waikiki and across the state, workers continue to face challenges.

According to the union, the average daily room rate in Hawaii saw a 33% increase in 2023 compared to 2019. However, service cuts like daily room cleaning and in-room dining services have resulted in fewer hours and reduced pay for members.

Watanabe emphasized the financial struggles of the workers, revealing that 76% of members surveyed would not be able to afford a $500 emergency.

With over 7,000 hotel workers in the state anticipating potential labor disputes, approximately 17 hotel contracts in Hawaii are set to expire, with negotiations expected to intensify by the end of June. This situation could lead to strikes and picket lines, further challenging union members.

The rally is scheduled to take place from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Royal Hawaiian Avenue.