Civil Cafe 2020 legislative preview rehashes minimum wage, homelessness

But while it is terrific that state legislators acknowledge that the cost of living is out of reach for most Hawaiʻi residents, it is also clear that the proposed $13 an hour is not a “livable wage.” That was confirmed by Gavin Thornton, executive director of Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, who pointed out that the current rate, $10.10 an hour, is $21,000 annually. Under this year’s proposed legislation, the wage would be $13 in 2024, which would hardly keep up with inflation.

Thornton’s organization is pushing for a $17 minimum wage by 2025. “Today, we need to figure out a way to make it possible to make ends meet. Nearly half [the population] don’t earn enough,” referring to the ALICE report by the Aloha United Way. Pointing to the number of people migrating off the island, he said that Hawaiʻi has the lowest wages in the nation when figuring in the cost of living.

Thornton encouraged the legislature’s goal of expanding early childhood education for Pre-K kids, calling it a “smart investment.” His Appleseed “Wish List” includes a greater hike in the minimum wage, as well as paid family leave to care for family members and newborns.