Local 5 union pushes for safety, job security

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) – By Allison Schaefers. Unite Here Local 5 union members returned to Waikiki and other tourist districts across the state Wednesday to remind Hawaii officials to make health and safety the key focus of the state’s tourism reopening plan.

COVID-19 safety remains a major factor for hotel reopenings

(KHON 2) – By Max Rodriguez. Jamee Gomera, who works reservations at Waikoloa Beach Marriott said she wants to return to work in a safe environment. Gomera said, “We got to get the message out that we want to make sure everyone is safe when we get back, and we want to get back.”

Unite Here Local 5 ‘putting the pressure’ on employers, lawmakers to ensure worker safety

(KITV 4) – Opening the state to tourism has officially been delayed until September 1. Unite Here Local 5 — the union that represents about 12,000 hotel workers in Hawaii — has planned rallies across O’ahu and the state.

US beaches begin reopening, with restrictions varying from state to state

(ABC) – By Matt Gutman , Katie Muldowney , Deborah Kim and Allie Yang. All of this has devastated Hawaii’s tourism industry. Shuttered shops and empty beaches are all that’s left of Wendy Perez’s 31-year career in hospitality, as COVID-19 wreaked havoc on Oahu, the island she calls home.

Column: Help hard-hit tourism workers with safe reopening of industry

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) – By Eric Gill. Our Legislature is getting back to work. What about the rest of us? When can we go back to work? Are we safe to go back to work? How can we go to work when there’s no school for our kids? Will our families have medical coverage when we go to work in a pandemic?

‘Our life is in danger’: Unemployment hits 34% in Hawaii with no end in sight

(USA Today) – By Cristina Silva. For 32 years, Julie Gabot drove more than 80 miles round trip each day to work as a housekeeper at the Sheraton Waikiki, cleaning after tourists who enjoyed the resort’s infinity pool and beachfront views.