The Senate moved with lightning speed this week to pass a measure that would raise Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage to $12 an hour by October and $18 an hour by 2026.

In an unprecedented move on Friday morning, the 25-member Senate voted 24-1 to pass Senate Bill 2018 in just the second week of the 2022 legislative session. SB 2018 gained early support, with 20 senators signing on to the bill.

Sen. Brian Taniguchi, who introduced the measure, said Hawaiʻi has provided much help to employers in the last few years. He pointed to another measure this year that seeks to keep taxes on unemployment insurance low for employers.

“It’s time we help the thousands of struggling, low wage earners in our state,” Taniguchi said.