In order for a living wage to become a reality, we need to vote for candidates who support a living wage. If we don’t give our governor and state Senate the help they need to pass this in the House, it’s possible a repeat of 2018 will happen, where every minimum wage bill was killed without even getting put to a vote.

Of the 34 House races with more than one candidate on the ballot, 27 have at least one living wage supporter running.

As many of these candidates are being significantly outspent, it will take enormous people-power to get them elected. Hawaiʻi voters have shown tremendous ability to fight and win for policies despite being out-funded by the opposition, and this year could be no different.

A victory here to guarantee a living wage for all workers would mean that we wouldn’t have to continue to work two or three jobs just to put food on the table. Our keiki wouldn’t have to come home to an empty house at night because their parents are busy working in order to afford rent. Our high school and college graduates wouldn’t need to continue to flee to the mainland just to live a dignified life.

A living wage will build an economy that supports all workers, and this will require voting for the candidates who support this vision. The names of all candidates in every state race are published online in the Living Wage Hawaii 2018 Voter Guide at livingwagehawaii.com.

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