On May 1st, 2024 we hosted our 4th Annual May Day/ International Workers’ Day March and Rally, in collaboration with the Defend and Respect Hawaiʻi’s Workers Coalition. May 1st, May Day, or International Workers’ Day is a holiday honoring workers that is celebrated all over the world. First proclaimed in 1890 in commemoration of the struggle of American workers for the 8 hour workday, May Day celebrates what workers have overcome.
Legislators killed almost all of our progressive bills this session, prompting us to bring our May Day March and Rally straight to the Capitol to express our disappointment.
After marching to the Capitol, our speakers shared about the history of May Day and its significance for the HWC. They demanded an end to the genocide in Gaza, the cancellation of RIMPAC, gave a legislative recap, and shared updates on organized labor in Hawaiʻi including the Hawaiʻi Nurses Association and UNITE HERE Local 5.
In response to the legislature killing Academic Labor United (ALU)’s bill that would have established a collective bargaining unit, ALU President, Dianne Deauna, shares, “We want to send a message to the legislature; all you did was make a bunch of very smart, very capable people very angry.”
In this spirit, we donʻt agonize; we organize. It’s an opportunity to build worker power rather than let it lead us to despair. Together we will build a Hawaiʻi that puts workers first.
Mahalo to KITV’s Diane Ako for covering the march and rally. Read this excerpt from the full article:
“About 200 people took to the streets, calling attention to their cause. Unite Here Local 5 Senior Vice President Eric Gill noted, “Working people are standing up. It’s long overdue. It’s good for society.”
Raymond Catania, 74, is a state retiree who needed to keep working after that retirement to make ends meet. He is now a home health aide. His wife is a hotel housekeeper who also works as a home health aide. Between them, they have four jobs. “For most working people, even though they don’t want to admit it, one job is not enough. They have to work side jobs,” he said.
This year’s march and rally to the Capitol concludes the May Day at the Legislature! Week of Action that highlighted key legislative priorities such as housing for locals and fire survivors, protecting water resources, access to quality and affordable childcare, tax relief for working families, clean elections, and Hawaii’s support for a ceasefire resolution in Gaza.”
“The only answer to organized greed is organized labor.” – Thomas Donahue
To get organized, contact:
HWC Oʻahu Organizers:
- Nelson Salvador, nelson@hawaiiworkerscenter.org (Filipino workers, restaurant workers)
- Shantell Calarruda, shantell@hawaiiworkerscenter.
org (COFA workers, restaurant workers)
HWC Maui Organizers:
- Krizhna Bayudan, krizhna@hawaiiworkerscenter.
org (Lāhainā workers) - Axel Beers, axel@hawaiiworkerscenter.org (Maui Tenants & Workers Association)
- Alan Lloyd, alan@hawaiiworkercenter.org (Maui Tenants & Workers Association)
Mahalo to our community partners who joined our “May Day at the Legislature: Week of Action”!
Defend and Respect Hawai‘i’s Workers Coalition
Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice
Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action
Unite Here! Local 5
Hawaiʻi Nurses Association
Hawaiʻi State Teachers Staff Organization
Academic Labor United
Common Cause
Maui Tenants Association
ILWU International
Our Hawai‘i Action
Clean Elections Hawai‘i
Catholic Charities Hawai‘i
Democratic Socialists of Oʻahu
HCAN Speaks!
Chamber of Sustainable Commerce
HULI PAC
Anakbayan Hawaiʻi
Tagnawa for Maui
Gender Equity Movement Club at University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa
Rise for Palestine
Hawai‘i Filipinos for Truth, Justice & Democracy
Hawaiʻi Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Jewish Voice for Peace Hawai‘i
Kaua‘i for Palestine
Kona 4 Palestine
One Fair Wage
Citizens for Peace Hawaiʻi