Supporters of the bill were vocal from the start, citing the rising cost of living for the importance of the measure.

“Everybody knows somebody or struggling themselves that are just trying to make ends meet and that’s in large part due to the low wages everybody makes,” said Nate Hix, director of Living Wage of Hawaii.

“We haven’t gotten a raise in over four years now. So getting something going and this is getting us on the right track and is obviously way better than nothing,” Hix said.