November 19, 2018 — Living Wage Hawaii and its supporters look forward to the 2019 legislative session, as the majority of elected officials have confirmed their support for raising the minimum wage to a living wage.

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“We are excited that we finally have the votes to get a living wage bill passed in 2019. This will be a huge benefit to our entire community,” said Nate Hix, founder of Living Wage Hawaii.

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The passage of this Democratic Party ideal —that all full-time workers should be able to afford their basic needs— is coming to Hawaii, after a majority of representatives, senators, and Governor Ige have all confirmed their support to move the minimum wage up to a living wage.

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This summer both the Democratic Party of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu passed resolutions urging the state legislature to increase the minimum wage up to a living wage.

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Based on a Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism study, a living wage today is estimated at $17 an hour.

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The Democratic Party followed up by sending out a questionnaire asking Democratic candidates if they support this party ideal, to move the minimum wage up to a living wage. All but six of the candidates who responded to the questionnaire agreed with this change.

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Combined with the questionnaire that Living Wage Hawaii sent out to all legislators, 27 representatives support this change as well as 17 senators and Governor Ige.