Lawmakers didn’t pass a minimum wage hike, but are getting raises of their own
State lawmakers who couldn’t reach a deal to increase Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage of $10.10 an hour are being criticized for accepting pay raises for themselves.
The raises, proposed by the state Salary Commission, automatically go into effect since House and Senate leaders did not reject them this session.
Those who advocated for raising the minimum wage say they're appalled.
"You're here to serve the people. You're here to uplift the people. So if you're getting a pay raise and the people you serve continue to struggle, then you have to start asking some questions," said living wage advocate Marissa Buendicho.