Recently, I reported that workers at seven of the largest hotels in the islands voted to strike. Well, apparently, Hawai’i hotel workers say strike is imminent. The affected properties are among the largest and most popular in the state, which will have huge implications for visitors.
The last time Hawai’i saw a major hotel strike was in 2018 when Unite Here! Local 5 members at all Kyo-Ya properties in Hawai’i and across the continental U.S. went on a week’s long strike. The work stoppage forced guests to wait hours just to check-in to their rooms, forced them to change their own bedding, shutdown resort amenities, and more. Maui also experienced a strike recently, though that walk-out ended up lasting only one day, and was more of a demonstration/protest than an actual strike. But I digress.
While there was no indicator at the time of the vote when any disruptions may occurs, Hawai’i hotel workers say strike is imminent now. So, as I said earlier, if you’ve got a stay at any of the impacted properties, you may want to consider alternative accommodations if you can.
Hawai’i Hotel Workers Say Strike is Imminent
Last we heard, union members and management were supposed to be continuing their negotiations. However, it seems that those talks remain fruitless as Hawai’i hotel workers say strike is imminent. To be clear, the union isn’t alluding to when a walkout may occur. In fact, this could all be a scare tactic to push ongoing discussions in their favor. But, if I were planning an expensive Hawai’i vacation, especially if it’s one you’ve been saving your whole life for, I wouldn’t want to chance being impacted by a potential strike. In fact, I’d be making plans to move my accommodations elsewhere if I can.
As a reminder, eight hotels fall under the potential strike action, seven of which are on O’ahu and one on Kaua’i, including:
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
- Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort &Spa
- Moana Surfrider — a Westin Resort Spa
- The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
- Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
- Sheraton Waikiki
- Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort &Spa.
- Sheraton Kaua’i Resort
The Sheraton Kaua’i wasn’t a property that appeared on my first report about this potential strike, but is one that was included in the Monday update. We also learned that the main sticking points which remain are “wages, staffing levels, benefits and preserving some guest services.”
Alternatives
Since I’m recommending anyone with upcoming reservations at any of the above properties find alternative accommodations if they can, I’ll do my best to provide some recommendations. Unfortunately, for the O’ahu properties, these are virtually all of the beachfront options Marriott has. Ditto for the Hilton Hawaiian Beach and the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. On Kaua’i, there are good in-brand options nearby, but the Sheraton is definitely the cheapest of the bunch.
At any rate, for those staying in Waikiki as Hawai’i hotel workers say strike is imminent, if you absolutely must stay with your respective brands, your options won’t offer the same type of experience, and includes:
- Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach
- Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
- The Laylow, an Autograph Collection Resort
- The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach
- Hilton Waikiki Beach
- Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki
- Embassy Suites Waikiki Beachwalk
- HGVC Hokulani
- Ka La’i Waikiki Beach, an LXR Resort (former Trump Waikiki)
- DoubleTree Hilton Alana
- HGVC The Modern Honolulu
If you’re willing to look away from the big brands and consider local chains or boutique brands, here are some properties I’d suggest you consider, especially if you want to preserve your beachfront experience:
- Alohilani Resort
- Twin Fin Waikiki
- Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
- Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
- Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Resort
- Aston Waikiki Beach Tower
- Ilikai Hotel
- Prince Waikiki
- Halekulani
- Halepuna
I’d caution that certain properties, like the Outrigger Reef, the Halekulani, and the Halepuna, may feel impacts from the strike, too. These properties are close to the Sheraton Waikiki, and the last time workers at this hotel struck, they made sure to be as disruptive as possible to surrounding hotels, too. Of course, the same could occur at the Alohilani, Hilton Waikiki Beach, Hyatt Place, and the Twin Fin, as they’re relatively close to the Waikiki Beach Marriott and Hyatt Regency.
Hawai’i Hotel Workers Say Strike is Imminent, Final Thoughts
Again, we don’t have any as to when a potential strike may occur. But, in my opinion, why take the chance? Especially if you’re not someone who can or does visit Hawai’i often. There’s nothing worse than having to waste time waiting in lines all day, especially when the lines are for things like checking into your hotel, getting towels and sheets for your room, and so forth. And while I caution that some of the alternatives may see some disruptions, that is usually in the form of noise and is still far better than dealing with the guest services issues you’ll experience at impacted properties.
So, since Hawai’i hotel workers say strike is imminent, heed their warning and take action if you can.