Amid inflation fears, Hawaiʻi business owners and consumers brace for rising prices

Advocates for low-income residents say even a small increase in inflation hits the the poor and the working class the hardest―like Nicco Ferraro of Whitmore Village.

Ferraro said he already struggles to pay his rent on the day it’s due.

“What I’ve already done is the past is I’ve skipped meals just to have that extra money to pay rent,” he said. “I ride a bike to work a lot these days so I don’t have to spend a lot on gas.”

Gavin Thornton, executive director of Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, added: “You and I might be able to afford a 5 percent increase in our grocery bill. But if you’re already eating rice and ramen, you can’t really work that into the budget.”

The pressure on prices will also increase pressure to raise wages, experts said.

“We’ve been pushing for the minimum wage to be raised,” said Sergio Alcubilla, of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center. “It’s crazy to think our minimum wage of $10.10 an hour wasn’t raised this year by the legislature considering we have the highest cost of living.”