Sakadas (Filipino plantation workers) arrived in Hawai‘i 100 years ago. Hawaii’s plantation economy was built on their struggle and sacrifice.Today, tourism has replaced plantations. Like the sakadas, many Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew workers are of Filipino descent. They continue our fight.
Over 100 workers and community members rallied in support of these workers who are fighting for a fair process to decide whether to unionize.
AiKea organized a tour of Waikiki for The Neighborhood Funders Group. We spoke to them about the history of tourism in Waikiki, the tourism industry today, and the plight of non-union hotel workers at Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew. At the end of the tour, some participants went to the Aston Waikiki Beach and delegated management in support of the workers. Thank you to our friends at the Hawai’i Peoples Fund for connecting us with The Neighborhood Funders Group.
AiKea members attended the Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board Meeting to inform board members and the community about our campaign for affordable housing. Look out for us at your Neighborhood Board Meetings in the near future!
AiKea and FACE (Faith Action for Community Equity) held a vigil to support the workers at Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew who want a fair process to decide whether to unionize. Workers and community members alike were moved by the stories of these workers and the overwhelming support from the community.
Local Filipina/o American community leaders went to the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel because Aston management told their housekeepers no Ilocano at work. This is illegal and discriminatory. Over 80% of Aston workers (and 98% of their housekeeping workers) are of Filipino descent.
The community members shared words of support to the housekeepers in Ilocano and English. But security yelled at them to “be quiet” and kicked them out. Mahalo Dr. Christine Lipat, Charlene Cuaresma, Amy Agbayani, Deanna Espinas, Jeff Acido, and Grace Caligtan for supporting the workers’ right to organize and speak their own language!
AiKea celebrates Filipina/o American History Month by speaking to 3 Filipina American leaders who are fighting for positive change in our communities, in Hawai’i and beyond.
Justin and Angela hosted a coffee hour in Waianae to talk about affordable housing and AiKea’s campaign to stop illegal vacation rentals. This is just the start of the work we’re doing to organize the Leeward coast to build power in these communities.
If you’d like to get involved with our organizing work, contact us.
AiKea stands for healthy communities that promote health as a basic, human right. Healthy communities recognize that giving and receiving care are fundamental aspects of living.
We attended the FACE Long-Term Care Summit to support the work FACE is doing to advocate for long-term care in Hawai’i. In 2016, Hawaii’s legislators will have the chance to pass a bill that will provide resources each day — for a year! — to pay for eldercare needs. It’s time to care for our kupuna! Visit the FACE website to learn more.
AiKea went to Leeward Community College’s Filipino Heritage Month celebration. We spoke to students, faculty, and staff about the workers at the Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew who are fighting for a fair process to decide whether to unionize. Many of these workers are of Filipina/o descent.
Many posted photos on social media in support of the workers.
AiKea members were part of a panel on women workers & class struggle in Waikiki, hosted by UH Manoa Women’s Studies and moderated by Professor Monisha Das Gupta.
Aina Iglesias, Lisa Grandinetti, Cecille Daniels, and Gemma Weinstein talk about the Aston Waikiki Beach and Hotel Renew workers who are fighting for a fair process to decide whether to unionize. Kaiser worker Gracie Esperanza talks about the workers’ recent victory securing a new union contract that saves their pensions.