>> HAWAI'I BOASTS ONE.

LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES NOTICE COUNTRY.

AT 2.9%, APPROXIMATE IS WELL BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

DOES THAT NUMBER TELL THE WHOLE STORY?

A FEW CHALLENGES FACING THE STATE.

WE EXAMINE HAWAI'I'S JOB MARKET, WHAT'S WORKING, WHAT ABILITY AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR OUR FUTURE NEXT ON INSIGHTS.

♪ >> Daryl: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I...

I'M DARYL HUFF.

THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS BEEN AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE NATION FOR THE LAST YEAR.

AND THAT RATE FELL OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS WHILE EARNINGS GREW.

EVEN WITH THESE POSITIVE TRENDS HAWAII'S JOB MARKET REMAINS A MIXED BAG.

THERE ARE MANY VACANCIES IN CRUCIAL PUBLIC AGENCIES AND SOME KEY INDUSTRIES •AND MANY LOCAL RESIDENTS HAVE TO WORK MULTIPLE JOBS TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

TONIGHT WE ARE EXAMINING HAWAI'I'S JOB MARKET.

HOW CAN IT IMPROVE?

AND WHAT EFFECTS WILL STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES HAVE?

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

MIKE PALMER IS THE CHAIR OF THE HAWAI'I RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION.

HE IS THE OWNER AND MANAGING PARTNER OF HO'OKIPA PARTNERS -- A HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTING FIRM.

PREVIOUSLY HE WAS A GENERAL MANAGER FOR MINA GROUP AND A DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR SEVERAL LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

TINA YAMAKI IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE RETAIL MERCHANTS OF HAWAI'I.

SHE ASSUMED THAT ROLE IN 2016.

PREVIOUSLY SHE WAS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HAWAI'I LODGING AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION AND THE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SUPPORT HERE AT PBS HAWAI'I.

CADE WATANABE IS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY -- TREASURER OF UNITE HERE LOCAL 5 UNION WHICH REPRESENTS MORE THAN 10,000 HOTEL, HEALTH CARE, AND FOOD SERVICE WORKERS THROUGHOUT HAWAI'I.

HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF LOCAL 5 FOR 18 YEARS AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS STAFF DIRECTOR AND SR. VICE PRESIDENT.

AND PAUL BREWBAKER IS THE PRINCIPAL OF THE CONSULTING FIRM TZ ECONOMICS.

HE WORKED AS AN ECONOMICS LECTURER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA FOR 27 YEARS.

HE ALSO SERVED AS THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR THE BANK OF HAWAI'I FROM 1985 UNTIL 2009.

LET ME START WITH YOU, MIKE PALMER.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND, WHAT'S IT LIKE TODAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE WORKFORCE THAT YOU WORKED WITH PRIMARILY?

>> IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING.

I THINK IN HAWAI'I, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN CHALLENGING.

WE'RE ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN HAWAI'I, I THINK NATIONWIDE IS ALWAYS IN THE TOP FIVE LOWEST IN THE NATION.

ANY INDUSTRY, BUT PARTICULARLY FOOD AND BEVERAGE AND HOSPITALITY SINCE IT IS THE CORE OF INDUSTRY IN HAWAI'I IS CHALLENGING.

FINDING GOOD WORKERS, EVERYBODY DEALS WITH IT.

IT'S A VERY HOT TOPIC.

>> MY IMPRESSION, DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE LOST A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM CALIFORNIA AND OTHER PLACES.

THEY WENT HOME AND NEVER CAME BACK.

IS THAT A FAIR EXPLANATION OF WHAT HAPPENED?

>> YEAH.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME HERE TO RIDE OUT THE PANDEMIC.

SOME OF THEM STAYED AND A LOT WENT BACK.

AND PEOPLE COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT THAT DIDN'T COME BACK IMMEDIATELY.

IN SOME CASE IT TOOK THEM A YEAR TO COME BACK.

THAT WAS REALLY CHALLENGING COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

2021 AND IT'S GOTTEN BETTER NOW, BUT IT'S STILL EVERYBODY'S FIGHTING FOR WORKERS.

>> Yunji: TINA YAMAKI IN RETAIL SECTOR.

SIMILAR?

>> VERY SIMILAR.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WORKERS.

IF YOU GO INTO ANY STORE, THERE'S A "WE'RE HIRING" SIGN OR TABLE, WE HIRE IMMEDIATELY.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO FIND WORKERS, SO THEY'RE GOING DOWN TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS NOW AND RECRUITING 16-YEAR-OLDS TO SEE IF THEY WANT TO WORK AND START THEIR CAREER WITH RETAIL.

>> PAUL BREWBAKER, IS THAT OUR PRIMARY PROBLEM WITH OUR WORKFORCE?

SHORTAGE OF WORKERS OR A HIGHER LEVEL PROBLEM THAN THIS?

>> FUNDAMENTALLY A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS.

THERE ARE MORE RESIDENTS IN HAWAI'I AGE 65 TO 74 THAN AGE 15 TO 24.

AND EVERY AGE COHORT OVER AGE 25 IS LARGER.

IMMIGRATION IS PROBABLY OFF THE TABLE, SO THE TIGHTNESS WE ID FACER FACED ON A DAILY BASIS HAS NOT GONE AWAY.

>> CADE WATANABE FROM UNITE LOCAL 5.

YOU FOLKS, PEOPLE MIGHT BLAME A UNION FOR HOW MUCH IT CHARGES FOR EMPLOYEES AND SO ON BECAUSE YOU GUYS WOULD BE A FAIRLY HIGH WAGE FOR SERVICE INDUSTRY, RIGHT?

ARE PEOPLE COMING TO THE HOTEL INDUSTRY, AWAY FROM THESE WHERE BUSINESSES ARE HAVING A HARDER TIME PAYING?

>> PERHAPS.

I THINK PART OF OUR PERSPECTIVE AS WELL IS TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY.

WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE LEAVING THE STATE?

COST OF LIVING BUT PART OF THE PERSPECTIVE IS OUR WORK TO MAKE SURE THESE JOBS ARE THE BEST PAYING JOBS BUT COME WITH THE BENEFITS THAT WE NEED TO SURVIVE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK MAYBE PAUL KNOWS THIS OR OTHER FOLKS.

HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF OUT MIGRATION.

THEY WEREN'T BORN AND RAISED HERE.

THERE ARE SOME FUNDAMENTAL SHIFTS THAT I THINK WORKERS HAVE TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IS AS A UNION, NOT JUST ABOUT THE WAGES AND BENEFITS BUT IT IS ALSO ABOUT LOOKING OR WE LIKE TO THINK LOOKING AT HOW DO WE UPSCALE?

HOW DO WE PROVIDE NECESSARY BENEFITS TO TRAIN OUR WORKERS SO THEY CAN IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS WITHIN ONE PARTICULAR WORK SITE OR CROSS INDUSTRIES.

SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE WORK WE'VE DONE WITH OUR HAIR YET TRAINING TRUST PROGRAM.

WE NOW ARE ABLE TO HAVE LOCAL 5 HOTEL MEMBERS IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY GET WORK AND GET TRAINING ON THE JOB TRAINING THROUGH AN APPRENTICE SHIP PROGRAM IN HOSPITAL.

IN HEALTHCARE, AND HEALTHCARE IS AN INDUSTRY WHERE WE REPRESENT 2,000 WORKERS AS WELL.

WE SEE HIGH TURNOVER RATE.

WE HAVE GOOD, STAGE JOKES.

I WOULD ADD THAT TO THE CONVERSATION.

>>.

>> ALL OF YOU, ALL OF YOU HAVE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES AND PLENTY OF CONSTANT -- CONTACT WITH PEOPLE.

QUESTION FROM MARCUS IN MAKIKI.

WHERE BESIDES LAS VEGAS ARE PEOPLE MOVING FOR EMPLOYMENT?

WE HAVE LOS ANGELES.

SILICON VALLEY, PORT LAND, SEATTLE WITHIN ONE AIRPLANE FLIGHT OF A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVING THERE?

ANYBODY CAN PITCH IN.

>> PLACES LIKE ARIZONA, WASHINGTON, OREGON, THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, WE EVEN HEARD FOLKS MAKING A MOVE TO ALASKA.

THAT'S WHAT PART OF WHAT WE ARE HEARING IN TERMS OF WHERE PEOPLE ARE LANDING.

>> HOW MUCH OF THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING PAID AS MUCH HERE?

>> LOWER COST OF LIVING.

WHAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IN TEXAS, THERE'S A HUGE HAWAI'I CONTINGENCY WHO LIVES THERE, AND WHERE CAN THEY GET THE MOST BANG FOR BUCKS, ESPECIALLY WHEN RAISING THEIR KIDS.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING SOME OF THE FAMILIES COMING BACK WHEN THEIR KIDS ARE HITTING HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE GANGS AND SOME OF THE OTHER VIOLENCE THEY'RE SEEING IN SOME OF THESE CITIES THAT THEY MOVED TO ON MAINLAND.

>> PAUL BREWBAKER, WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING?

AS YOU SAID WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PHYSICAL RESIDENTS, BUT WHICH ALSO HAVE PEOPLE LEAVING IN DROVES.

>> IT'S MORE COMPLEX THAN THAT, AND SO I WOULD CAUTIONS EVERYBODY TO MAYBE FORGET EVERYTHING THEY'VE EVER HEARD ABOUT PEOPLE MOVING.

AND MAYBE LOOK UP THE DATA.

SO PEOPLE MOVING AROUND IS ACTUALLY A GOOD THICK.

THAT'S SORT OF WHAT MAKES AMERICA WORK.

THE EUROPEANS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THERE.

THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT TO MOVE PEOPLE AROUND.

>> CULTURE TOO.

>> FOUNDING FATHER IN OUR STATE SET UP THE CONSTITUTION.

TO SAY YOU'RE ABLE TO MOVE AROUND AT WILL.

MERCHANDISE, LABOR, CAPITAL, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

>> ARE WE IN DEFICIT WHEN IT COMES TO THAT ISSUE?

>> THERE'S PEOPLE COMING AND GOING.

>> I KNOW.

WHEN YOU PUT IT TOGETHER WHAT'S THE NET FOR HAWAI'I RIGHT NOW?

>> IT DEPEND ON WHEN AND WHO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT OF FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE 20 TEENS, TENDENCY FOR NET DOMESTIC RESIDENT OUT MIGRATION WAS DOMINANT.

AND NATURAL INCREASE, BIRTHS LESS DEATHS TRENDING DOWNWARD FOR QUITE A WHILE.

AFTER THE PANDEMIC, IN MIGRATION WENT UP AND OUT MIGRATION WENT DOWN.

I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND WHY AND FOR SURE IT'S GOING TO CHANGE NOW.

>> WHAT I HEAR YOU SAYING, IS THAT RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE ACTUALLY NOT SEEING THAT MANY PEOPLE LEAVING?

>> NOT AS MANY AS BEFORE.

DEFINE NOW.

NOW IS TRUMP 2.0.

ONE YEAR AGO IT WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SITUATION.

>> LET ME ASK MIKE PALMER, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AMOK YOUR -- AMOR WORKERS ABOUT WHERE THEY WANT TO GO.

WHEN THEY STRUGGLE, WHETHER TO STAY OR GO?

>> IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE IN PARTICULAR WE'VE GOT DEFINITELY A YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC.

PROBABLY ABOUT 70 TO 90 -- 80% OF OUR STAFF ARE LOCALS OF THE STUDENTS GOING TO VARIOUS COLLEGES AND THEY'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE A TRANSIENT WORKFORCE.

SO THAT'S A BENEFIT FOR US BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS AN INFLUX OF THAT GOING ON, AND WE GET TO PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME.

WANT TO CHECK OUT HAWAI'I.

I'VE BEEN WORKING IN RETAILER IR FOOD SERVICE ON THE MAINLAND EASILY TRANSLATES TO AVAILABLE JOBS HERE.

WE OFTEN GET SKILLED WORKERS IN THAT SENSE, AND THAT'S ALWAYS CONTINUOUSLY HAPPENING.

IN SUMMER TIME, COLLEGE STUDENTS COME HERE FOR THE SUMMER.

THEY WANT TO SURF, RELAX AND ENJOY HAWAI'I FOR THE SUMMER.

WE'LL HIRE THOSE SEASONAL WORKERS.

BUT WE HAVE THAT CHALLENGE WHEN FALL COMES BACK.

>> Yunji: I KNOW YOU REPRESENT HEALTHCARE.

YOU MENTIONED GREAT TURNOVER IN HEALTHCARE OF.

WHY IS THAT?

>> SAME STRESS IN EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY, TO BE HONEST.

THE ABILITY -- IF OUR MEMBERS IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IN WAIKIKI THAT DRIVES AMONG THE HIGHEST REV PAR RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> EARNING HIGHEST PER ROOM.

>> PER AVAILABLE ROOM.

AMONG THE HIGHEST ROOM RATE WE'RE CHARGING.

IF ROOM ATTENDANTS ARE EARNING $30 AN HOUR BUT HAVING TO WORK MORE THAN ONE JOB, THAT TELLINGS YOU A LOT ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO SURVIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE IN THE SAME VOTE.

WE REPRESENT 2,000 HEALTHCARE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY KAISER IN HAWAI'I.

>> Yunji: LET ME CHAIR FIE.

-- CLARIFY.

WHAT KIND OF JOBS ARE YOU REPRESENTING IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD?

>> IN KAISER WE HAVE 2,000 MEMBERS THAT MAINTENANCE WORK, CLIRCLE WORK -- CLERICAL WORKER, PEOPLE WHO ANSWER PHONE CALLS,.

>> Yunji: THESE ARE PRETTY WELL PAID JOB.

>> YEAH.

SLEEP TECHNICIANS, AND AGAIN KAISER IS A MAJOR EMPLOYER IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, AND OUR PUSH IS TO HAVE THESE LARGE PLAYERS, NOT THE SMALL MOM AND POP.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE AS A LABOR UNION WE WANT SMALL BUSINESSS, WE WANT RESTAURANT TO SURVIVE AND POP LATE OUR HOTELS.

WE WANT A DIVERSE MIX OF OFFERINGS FROM OUR GUESTS SO THEY KEEP COMING BACK.

WE ARE VERY MUCH ALIGNED, OUR INTERESTS ARE ALIGNED AS LABOR WITH OUR SMALL BUSINESS.

>> HERE YOU HAVE THESE -- IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE SAYING THE PROBLEM IS THE COST OF LIVING.

>> THE COST OF LIVING IS PART OF IT, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO DEMAND MORE FROM THE LARGE CORPORATE PLAYERS THAT ARE CONTINUING TO BENEFIT OFF OF THE PEOPLE.

>> Yunji: SAME QUESTION TO TINA.

YOUR FOLKS STRUGGLE TO PAY ENOUGH TO STAY IN BIG, YET KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES.

HOW BAD IS IT FOR RETAIL IN THAT RESPECT?

YOU HAVE ALL THIS PRESSURE TO PAY MORE BECAUSE OF KOOS COST OF LIVING.

>> FOR US THE PANDEMIC, EVERYONE THINKS IT'S OVER BUT IT'S NOT.

ALL RENTS DEFERRED ARE DUE.

LOANS THAT THEY TOOK OUT ARE NOW DUE.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT COME JANUARY, A 2-DOLLAR INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE.

IF YOU'RE MAKING $20 OR $30 AN HOUR, THEY EXPECT THAT ADDITIONAL $2.

YOU CAN'T HAVE A SUPERVISOR MAKING LESS THAN SOMEBODY FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR EMPLOYEES.

BUT THE EMPLOYERS, THE QUESTION BECOMINGS HOW DO I PAY FOR THIS?

>> Yunji: WHAT'S THE REAL -- WE TALK ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING.

YES, THERE'S A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE.

EVERYBODY'S WAGE GOES UP.

WHAT ARE WE PAYING IN RETAIL?

WHAT DOES A MANAGER OF A RETAIL STORE MAKE?

>> THE AVERAGE IS ANYWHERE FROM $16 TO $18 I THINK IS THE STARTING PAY IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

>> FOR A REGULAR LINE EMPLOYEE?

>> YES.

AND IT GOES UP.

SOME NATIONAL ONES PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT THE KIND OF, I GUESS, TRADEOFF IS SOME OF THE LOCAL COMPANIES HAVE A LOYAL BASE BECAUSE THEY TREAT THEIR EMPLOYEES LIKE FAMILY.

THEY DO THINGS WITH THEM.

NOT PIZZA JUST BECAUSE WE'RE BUSY.

THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.

>> THEY CAN HOLD THEIR EMPLOYEES BY HAVING A RELATIONSHIP?

>> YEAH.

IT'S A CULTURE, AND THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF THE EMPLOYEES ARE LOOKING AT.

I'M NOT YOUR A -- JUST A WORKER.

I MATTER.

>> PAUL BREWBAKER, YOU'RE SAYING AT LITTLE BIT MORE STABLE.

HOW BAD IS THE COST OF LIVING WHEN IT COMES TO HOW MUCH PEOPLE ARE MAKING IN THIS ECONOMY?

>> THE CHALLENGE IS, IN ME CASE, I'M THINKING MORE IN THE MACRO CASE.

OUR OTHER GUESTS ARE LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY.

>> A PERFECT MIX.

>> IN ECONOMY ACTIVITY, EVERYBODY HAS TO DEAL WITH IN THEIR OWN WAY.

SOMETHING AS BIG AS THE FACT THAT 50 YEARS PER CAPITA INCOME IN HAWAI'I WAS 20 OR 30% HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

TODAY IT'S 5 OR 10% LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

EVEN THOUGH THE COST OF LIVING, WHICH HAS BEEN HIGH IN HAWAI'I BECAUSE IT'S HAWAI'I.

>> WHAT CHANGED TO DO THAT?

>> WELL, WE STOPPED BUILDING STUFF, FOR ONE THING.

WE STOPPED GROWING TOURISM.

THE FOOTPRINT.

MORE INTENSE ILY PROCESSED INDUSTRY BUT WE HAVEN'T CHANGED.

>> CONSTRUCTION IS NOT WHAT IT WAS BECAUSE THOSE ARE GOOD PAYING JOBS.

>> CONSTRUCTION IS AS HIGH AS IT'S EVER BEEN.

IT WAS HIGH IN 1990.

IF SOMEBODY TOLD YOU YOU'RE MAKINGS AS MUCH AS 1990, YOU WOULDN'T BE THAT HAPPY.

>> TO TALK ABOUT THE COLLEGE LEVEL OF JOBS, COLLEGE DEGREE, GOING TO COLLEGE IN HAWAI'I DOESN'T GUARANTEE YOU'LL HAVE A JOB HERE UNLESS YOU HAVE AN INSIDE TRACK WAITING FOR YOU ONCE YOU GRADUATE.

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE HIGHER EDUCATION AND, YOU KNOW, WANT TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL CAREER?

>> I DON'T THINK HAWAI'I IS AS DIFFERENT AS IT MAY SEEM IN THIS SENSE.

THE EXING TENT OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IS GOING TO AFFECT THE OCCUPATION YOU'LL HAVE IN IN THE INDUSTRIES THAT EXIST.

STRUCTURE OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY IN HAWAI'I, INDUSTRY STRUCTURE IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE ECONOMY.

OTHER PARTS OF THE U.S. ECONOMY AND GLOBAL ECONOMY.

IRONY IS PEOPLE WHO MOVE TO HAWAI'I TEND TO HAVE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT THAN PEOPLE WHO MOVE AWAY FROM HAWAI'I.

WHO HAVE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ATTAIN.

WHO DON'T KNOW.

>> THEY'RE ABLE TO MAKE MORE MONEY WHEN THEY GET HERE.

>> THEY HAVE THE ACTS TO -- ABIY TO MOVE AROUND.

>> THE REST OF THE PANEL, FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE DO YOU GUYS FEEL THE SAME WAY IN GETTING YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE HERE, IT'S HARD TO FIND A JOB COMING OUT OF COLLEGE TO MATCH YOUR DEGREE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

STUDENTS COMING OUT OF COLLEGE, THEIR EXPECTATION BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO SCHOOL WHEN THERE WAS THE PANDEMIC.

THEY WANT TOO WORK FROM HOME.

THEY WANT TO DETERMINE THEIR HOURS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO WORK FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.

IT'S A DIFFERENT GENERATION.

THEY DO EVERYTHING ON ZOOM AND ELECTRONICALLY.

SO I THINK THE JOBS ARE THERE FOR A LOT OF THEM.

IT'S JUST WHAT ARE THESE STUDENTS LOOKING FOR?

>> YEAH.

IT DEPENDS ON THE DEGREE AS WELL, SOME DEGREES, TOURISM, INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT, THERE'S PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES HERE ON THE ISLAND.

AND MAYBE OTHER DEGREES, IT'S A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGING.

I THINK IF THEY REALLY WANT TO STAY IN HAWAI'I, THEY CAN.

THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR BETTER BENEFITS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE COST OF LIVING PLAYS A FACTOR FOR EVERYBODY.

PEOPLE WHO LOVE HAWAI'I, I THINK THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES.

>> ARE COLLEGES LINED UP WITH TERMS OF THE JOBS THAT PEOPLE WOULD EXPECT?

>> JUST AGAIN, LOCAL 5, WE WORK IN HOSPITALITY.

WE HAD TO UTILIZE OUR TRAINING TRUST PROGRAM TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND OUTSIDE OF STATE'S ABILITY.

THERE'S A SHORTAGE.

THAT'S WHERE THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMES INTO PLAY.

THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HOURS AND LABOR.

WE SHOULD BE PARTNERING WITH OTHER ENTITIES TO SKILL UP WHERE THE STATE, FOR INSTANCE, MAY BE FALLING SHORT IN TERMS OF TRAINING ENOUGH LPNs, ONE EXAMPLE.

>> LARGER SHARE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY CONCENTRATED IN HEALTHCARE RELATED ACTIVITY BECAUSE OF THE AGING IN POPULATION.

OLDING PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER, AND WE, TALKING ABOUT MY GENERATION, DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY KIDS AS OUR PARENTS DID.

REPLACEMENT PLAYER PROBLEM COMES IN.

THE TILT OF THE POPULATION TOWARDS OLDER PEOPLE HAS GOTTEN WORSE, AND THERE'S MORE GRAVITY IN THE OLDER AGE COHORTS.

A GREATER NEED FOR HEALTHCARE OCCUPATIONAL AND INDUSTRY ORIENTED SKILLS AND BUSINESSES.

AND AS A CONSEQUENCES THAT, THE TRAINING OR STRATEGICALLY IN SEALINGLY UNRELATED AREAS LIKE FOOD SERVICE AND RETAIL HAS TO FOCUS ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY IS EVOLVING IN A PARTICULAR DIRECTION.

PROBABLY WON'T VEER FROM THAT COURSE VERY MUCH OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DECADES.

>> TINA IN TERMS OF THE RETAIL ENVIRONMENT, IS IT CHANGING ALSO?

AS TIME GOES BY?

>> RETAIL HAS ALWAYS BEEN EVOLVING.

IF YOU WENT SHOPPING 15 YEARS AGO, YOU GOT A PAIR OF PANTS, MAYBE THERE WAS A MOVIE THEATER THERE.

NOW YOU CAN BUY LIPSTICK, GET YOUR HAIR DONE IN THE SAME PLACE.

THINGS FOR KIDS TO PLAY ON.

IT HAS BEEN EVOLVING AND WE HAVE TO DO THAT TO SURVIVOR.

>> ARE THE JOBS IN RETAIL GETTING MORE SOPHISTICATED?

>> IN SOME WAYS THEY ARE.

THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL THAT DON'T WANT TO GET A HIGHER EDUCATION OR CAN'T AFFORD IT.

THEY NEED TO WORK TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF JOBS OUT THERE.

WE ARE WILLING TO TRAIN THEM.

A LOT STARTED OUT IN HIGH SCHOOL, THEY'RE NOW MANAGERS OF THE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT.

SO THEY DO PROMOTE WITHIN, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE THAT.

>> LET ME ASK MIKE PALMER, WE ALL HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WORK IN RESTAURANTS A LITTLE WHILE.

YOU'RE IN COLLEGE, GO TO WORK.

SOMETIMES HOURS MELD WELL WITH YOUR SKILL.

IS -- SCHEDULE.

IS THERE ENOUGH MONEY TO MAKE A CAREER FOR PEOPLE?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

IF THAT'S SOMETHING SOMEBODY WANT TO DO.

ESPECIALLY THE HOTELS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ASPIRE FOR A SERVICE INDUSTRY, FOOD SERVICE JOB IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY BECAUSE THE BENEFITS PACKAGES ARE AMAZING.

PAY RATES ARE AMAZING, THINGS LIKE THAT.

I'VE GOT PEOPLE ON OUR STAFF, I'VE GOT A 69-YEAR-OLD BUSSER.

A 71-YEAR-OLD CASHIER.

I WOULDN'T SAY AS A CAREER BUT THEY WANT TO KEEP BUSY AND DO SOMETHING THAT THEY ENJOY AND INTERACT WITH THE PUM OF -- PUB.

>> WHILE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT, A QUESTION CAME IN.

HENRY FROM McCULLY.

PEOPLE WORKING PAST RETIREMENT CLOGGING THE SYSTEM.

[LAUGHTER] SO PEOPLE CAN'T GET JOBS OR MOVE UP.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A BUSBOY AND DISHWASHER.

>> 69 AND 71, YEAH.

>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE AGING POPULATION.

HOW MUCH IS AFFECTING OUR WORKFORCE?

, THE AGING OF THE POPULATION?

>> PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, IN THE 1920s, THERE WERE 30 PERSONS OF TRADITIONAL WORKING AGE, SAY 18 TO 40E6 64 FOR EACH PERSON 6D OVER.

TODAY ARE TWO.

AND ONE DIDN'T GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE GASHES SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> THERE WERE 30 PERSONS -- >> IN 1920.

>> IN 1920 ITSELF FOR EACH PERSON 65 AND OLDER.

PEOPLE 65 AND OLDER USED TO DIE BACK IN THOSE DAYS.

>> THEY STILL DIE.

>> WOMEN LIVED UNTIL THEY'RE 150 OR SOMETHING.

IT'S CRAZY.

THAT MEANS THEY'RE AROUND LONGER.

AS I TAWNGSD ABOUT -- TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, WE HAVEN'T BEEN MAKING AS MAYBE BABIES.

TECHNICALLY TWO AND A HALF PERSONS FOR 65 AND OLDER.

BY 20 2030, THERE BEING TWO.

THERE'S WAY MORE OLDER PEOPLE FOR THE TRADITIONAL WORKING AGE PEOPLE.

ANOTHER DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TODAY AND A CENTURY TODAY, SOMETHING 65 AND OLDER CAN STILL KEEP WORKING ON DEVICES WE HAVE THAT ARE -- AND ENABLE PEOPLE TO BE ENGAGED IN PRODUCTIVE ENOUGH ACTIVITY.

THEY CAN BE YouTube OR SOMETHING.

THAT DIDN'T EXIST IN THE 1920s.

>> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE INTROS.

YOU'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBABLY IN A SECONDHAND WAY.

HAS THE STATE IMPROVED ITS HIRING SYSTEM FROM THE WAY ITS HISTORICALLY BEEN?

THEY'RE BEGGING FOR PEOPLE TO WORK FOR THEM.

THE CITY IS.

I DON'T THINK THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS HAVE QUITE THE SAME PROBLEM.

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS HEARING ABOUT THAT?

YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW YOU HIRE TO THE STATE?

>> I DON'T TAKE SIX MONTHS TO GET SOMEBODY ONBOARD.

THAT'S THE BIG DIFFERENCE.

I THINK YOU CAN LOSE A LOT OF PEOPLE AND INTEREST THROUGH COMPETING JOBS IF YOU TAKE THEM TOO LONG TO GET THEM ONBOARD.

THAT WAS CRAZY WHEN I HEARD ONE OF YOU MENTION THAT.

IT DUN -- DOESN'T SURPRISE ME.

THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO SPEED UP THAT PROCESS.

>> AND FOR RETAILERS WE HIRE RIGHT ON THE SPOT.

YOU PUT IN YOUR APPLICATION, WE'LL HIRE YOU THEN AND THERE.

>> PAUL, WHAT'S THE IMPACT WHEN YOU HAVE A MAJOR INDUSTRY LIKE GOVERNMENT?

SEEMINGLY UNABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES?

>> PART OF THE PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH INEFFICIENT PROCESS IF THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THAT YOU DON'T ATTRACT THE TALENT YOU REALLY COULD USE TO BE A MORE EFFECTIVE PROVIDER.

IN THIS CASE PUBLIC SERVICES.

I DON'T THINK THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT PER SE IS THAT MUCH DIFFERENT IN HAWAI'I THAN ELSEWHERE.

ONE AREA WHERE IT'S NOTABLY DEFINITELY IS IN FEDERAL DEFENSE ACTIVITY, WHICH IS LARGER IN HAWAI'I THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

LUCKY FOR US BECAUSE THAT'S FREE MONEY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE EXPORT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOT BE AS CONCERNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER SIZE MATTERS AS THE QUALITY OF THE OUTPUT OR QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE OR QUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY IS THERE FOR TALENTED INDIVIDUALS THAT ASPIRES TO PUBLIC SERVICE.

YET ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE INABILITY TO MAXIMIZE THEIR POTENTIAL.

>> I WANTED TO ADD MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT -- ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE SEE OFTEN, AT LEAST WITH OR MAJOR EMPLOYERS, USE OF TECHNOLOGY HAS IMPACTED HIRING PRACTICES.

MAYBE NOT FOR THE BARES.

BARES -- BETTER.

REFERRAL PROCESS USUALLY WORKS OUT WELL.

AUNTIE, UNCLE COME.

THERE'S A JOB OPENING IN HOTELS.

SO MANY INSTANCES AND EXAMPLES OUR MEMBERS REFERRING FAMILY MEMBERS AND THEM NOT MAKING IT THROUGH SOME SYSTEM.

SOME CORPORATE PROGRAM IS IN PLACE THAT IS INVESTIGATING THROUGH APPLICATIONS.

>>> WHAT ARE THEY SEEING THAT THEY DON'T LIKE?

WHAT IS IT TAKING LONG?

>> WE DON'T FLOW.

IT'S ODD.

WE SEE IT IN HENGE AND -- HEALTD HOSPITALITY.

RELATIONSHIPS MATTER AND WHERE WE HAVE ABILITY TO WORK WITH LOCAL MANAGERS ON GROUND.

THESE ARE GOOD, DECENT PAYING JOBS.

EVEN RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

MORE FOLKS ARE FINDING WORK IN HOSPITALITY.

ONE TREND, MAYBE A GENERATION AGO, MEMBERS WOULDN'T BE SO ENCOURAGING OF FRIENDS AND KIDS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT.

>> YOU GO COLLEGE.

YOU GO COLLEGE.

>> YEAH.

AND SOME OF THAT IS BEGINNING TO SHIFT.

IT'S, ONE, OUT OF NECESSITY.

TO PAUL AWE POINT EARLY ABOUT TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY, WE'RE VERY CONCERNED, NOT JUST ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING TO THE ISLANDS BUT HOW DO WE MAKE SURE OUR INDUSTRY IS ROBUST ENOUGH TO KEEP ATTRACTING RETURNING GUESTS AND VISITORS?

THAT IMPACTS SMALL BUSINESSES, LARGE BUSINESSES.

>> LEL ASK THIS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD BLAME THE FACT THAT WE'RE SO DEPENDENT ON THE VISITOR INDUSTRY FOR WORKPLACE ISSUES.

I DON'T KNOW BUT PEOPLE ALWAYS BLAME THE TOURISM INDUSTRY FOR EVERYTHING.

IS IT FAIR TO THROW THAT OUT?

OUR DEFENSE DEFENSE -- DEPENDNEN TOURISM MAKES WORKING HERE LESS ATTRACTIVE.

>> IT'S THE STORY OF THE 20-DOLLAR BILL.

>> TOURISM COMES IN PACE THE HOTEL.

HOTEL PAYS WORKER.

WORKER BUYS A PLATE LUNCH.

RESTAURANT PERSON BUYS VEGETABLES.

VEGETABLE GUY BUYS SHOES.

IT AFFECTS A LOT OF INDUSTRIES.

>> IT'S POINT IS TOURISM IS WHAT WE EXPORT.

WE DON'T HAVE A LONG LIST OF ALTERNATIVE.

NOBODY HAD TO BUILD A -- >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING AT.

>> WE'RE SO DEPEND.

DEPEND -- DEPENDENT ON IT.

>> WHEN I HEAR PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT TOURISM, WE'RE NOT EXPORTING SUGARCANE AND PINEAPPLE ANYMORE.

THAT IS OUR ECONOMY OTHER THAN THE MILITARY.

>> HUGE ON OAHU.

>> YEAH.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF AGRICULTURE MAKES A COMEBACK.

THAT WOULD BE AMAZING.

BUT TOURISM IS HERE TO STAY, AND I THINK IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST PART OF OUR ECONOMY.

>> I SAY WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE IT SO WE CAN CHANCE ON OTHER THINGS.

IF WE HAD TO DEPEND ON GETTING IT RIGHT, AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TOURISM, WE'D BE IN BAD SHAPE.

>> THE STRUCTURES OF OWNERSHIP, RIGHT, MAYBE YOU CAN SPEAK TO THIS PAUL.

>> IN TOURISM, HAS HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON THE -- QUALITY OF OUR EXPERIENCE FOR THE GUESTS.

>> WHAT ABOUT QUALITY OF WORK.

>> THE QUALITY OF WORK.

THE FABULOUS THAT -- FACT THAT E HAVE MORE VISITORS, MORE VISITORS TODAY YET WE HAVE LESS WORKERS WORKING IN THESE HIGH-PAYING JOBS.

MORE VISITORS VISITING THE ISLANDS AND LOCAL PEOPLE HAVING A HARDER OF TIMES SURVIVE IS A STORY WE SHOULDN'T BE PROUD OF.

BUT WE CAN MAKE TOURISM WORK.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE TOURISM WORK LONG TERM.

THAT'S THE QUESTION WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT.

THAT INCLUDE HAVING A SKILLED WORK FORCE.

TO LOOK AT OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT WE RELY ON.

WE'RE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ATTACKS ON CUTS IN GOVERNMENT HE A DIRECT IMPACT.

SO MANY HOTELS DEPEND ON GOVERNMENT TRAVEL.

>> I'LL THROW THIS OUT.

WE ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY.

BUT WE DON'T DIVERSE I ECONOMY.

MAYBE BECAUSE WE CAN'T.

>> REALLY?

>> WE TALK ABOUT IT.

>> I MEAN WHY?

HOW?

HOW DO WE DO THAT.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT.

THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS TALKING ABOUT DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY.

>> I HEARD ABOUT THIS IN THIRD GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES IN ELEMENTARY.

I REMEMBER IT BECAUSE DIVERSIFICATION WAS A GOOD WORD FOR HANGMAN.

AT THAT TIME, JOHN BURNS WAS GOVERNOR.

HIS WAY OF DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY WAS DOING TOURISM.

I HEAR PEOPLE NOT DO TOURISM.

REALLY?

I'M THE ONCE GUY IN THE ENTIRE STATE THAT IS QUESTIONING -- >> NO.

>> WHY WOULDN'T BE FOCUS ON SOMETHING WE DO REALLY WELL AND KILL IT AND MAKE TONS OF MONEY?

>> FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS ALWAYS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT HOW WE SHOULD BUILD OUR HEALTHCARE AND BUILD OUR COLLEGES TO GENERATE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE WORKING AT THE HIGH END OF HEALTHCARE.

BRINGING TECH JOBS HERE AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF BY EITHER CHANGING THE EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE OR WHATEVER.

ALWAYS THAT KIND OF TALK.

>> THAT'S MY POINT.

WE WERE GOING TO DIVERSIFY.

QUESTION THE PRIM MESS.

IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING THAT MAKES A LOT OF MONEY, IT'S GOOD FOR EVERYONE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT COST OF LIVING.

>> PART OF WHAT PAUL IS SAYING.

>> THAT'S ALL WE AGREE ON.

[LAUGHTER] >> THERE'S SOMETHING TO THIS IDEA THAT WE SHOULD MAKE TOURISMWORK.

FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK LONG TERM.

IT'S NOT WORKING NOW.

>> THAT'S THE INDUSTRIY TOWARDS HGEA.

>> HGEA IS LET'S PRODUCE TOURISM.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SUSTAINABLE TOURISM.

AG TOURISM.

>> I'M SAYING -- >> I HEAR SOME FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HOSPITALITY THAT ARE TALKING ABOUT THE QUALITY OF VISITOR.

LOOKING AT -- PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HIGH SPEND.

CAUGHT -- QUALITY OF VISITORS.

>> NO.

NO, WHO WOULD BE SO SILLY TO SUGGEST -- >> I'M HEARING THAT FROM SOME QUARTERS.

THEY HAVE TO RESPECT THE SOMETHING OR OTHER.

>> NO, BUT THE TYPE OF VISITOR THAT IS TURNING TO HAWAI'I HAS CHANGED.

OVER TIME.

AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY SPEND.

>> I GOT 20 MINUTES.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING BECAUSE HOW MUCH IS THE COST OF LIVING HERE AFFECTING OUR WORKFORCE?

YOU GUYS ALL KNOW, YOU SAY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.

PAUL SAYING PEOPLE AREN'T AS FAST AS WE THINK.

SALARIES HERE DON'T KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF LIVING AS THEY DO IN OTHER PLACES.

IS THAT FAIR TO SAY?

>> WHAT WE PAY HERE DOESN'T KEEP UP WITH COST OF LIVING.

>> COST OF LIVING HASN'T CHANGED MUCH.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN HIGHER BECAUSE IT'S HAWAI'I.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN 20, 25% HIGH.

STYLESSOMETIMES MORE, STYLING L. WE USED TO BE A PLACE ON AVERAGE PEOPLE MADE MORE.

HOW DO WE GET MORE TO THAT?

COST OF LISTENING IS GOING TO BE WHAT IT IS BECAUSE IT'S HAWAI'I.

I DON'T WANT TO PICK ON ANOTHER PLACE BUT LOWER COST OF LIVING SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE THERE.

NO OFFENSE.

THIS SHOWS UP IN REAL ESTATE.

>> HAWAI'I'S CONSISTENTLY YEAR AFTER YEAR RATED IN ONE OF THE BEST QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> THAT'S PART OF THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE.

>> I AGREE.

THAT'S WHY WE ALL LIVE HERE AND GET UNDERPAID.

KIDDING.

>> OR BE PART OF THE CULTURE.

THERE'S A THING ABOUT THE WAY WE LIVE HERE AND PEOPLE WE LIVE WITH.

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE INDUSTRY, PEOPLE LEAVING AND MOVING TO THE MAINLAND, WHICH YOU HEAR ABOUT EVERYONE DAY.

YOU'RE FRIENDS MOVING TO THE MAINLAND.

FOR EVERY PERSON DOING THAT, SOMEBODY AT BE MAKE IT NO MATTER WHAT BECAUSE WE LOVE THIS PLACE.

>> WHAT SHE WAS SAYING WAS INTERESTING.

IF THE CULTURE WITHIN THE PEOPLE YOU WORK FOR, THE HOTEL WORKER WHO WORKED 30 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS, NOW THEIR PERSON ARE COMING OF AGE.

THEY'RE HAVING TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO COLLEGE OR NOT.

AND THEY MIGHT BE LESS LIKELY TO GO TO COLLEGE.

ONE, MAYBE YOU GOT TO STICK AROUND AND HELP PAY BILLS BECAUSE WE'RE LIVING TOGETHER.

TWO, COLLEGE EDUCATION YOU GET HERE MAY NOT LEAD YOU TO A JOB THAT KEEPS YOU HERE.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK PEOPLE WANT TO WORK AND GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR A LITTLE BIT QUALITY OF LIFE THAN THE ONE L FOR US.

TO BE HONEST, CAN WE REAL REALISTICALLY SAY THAT?

MIGRANT FATHER WHO HAD EIGHTH GRADE EDUCATION, MY GRAND MOTHER WORKED IN THE MACADAMIA FACTORY MAKING CHOCOLATES.

THEY WERE ABLE TO HAVE A HOME.

ACCEPTEDSEND THREE KIDS TO COLL.

PROVIDE FOR MYSELF AND TWO SIBLINGS.

MY WIFE AND I ARE STRUGGLING WITH MY FIVE AND TWO-YEAR-OLD TO LIVE IN A CONDO THAT IS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND ALL THE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE GOT TO DEAL WITH.

I MEANSI MENTION THAT NOT BECAUS A HOT TOPIC.

IF WE HAVE AMONG THE WORST ROAD CONDITIONS IN THE INDUSTRY, WE GOT TO SPEND MORE ON CHANGING OUR TIRES AND DOING REALIGNMENT AND SERVICING OUR CARS.

PEOPLE THAT GOT TO TRAVEL TWO HOURS TO AND FROM WORK.

CONDITIONS ON THE ROAD MATTER.

KITS TO -- CUTS TO PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE MATTER.

>> THEY HAVE A SMART FORE AND YOU HAVE AN SUV.

IT'S THE GOOD AND BAD.

GIVE AN EXAM TALKING ABOUT ROADWAY.

THERE ARE THREE TIMES MORE REGISTERS MOTORCYCLES IN REGISTERS MOTOR VEHICLES THAN HALF A CENTURY AGO.

EVERYBODY WHO TOOK MY LAST CLASS AT U.H.

DROVE TO CLASS EXPECT FOR ME.

I WAS THE OLE ONLY GUY WHO RODEE BUS.

>> CAN'T FIGURE OUT MASS TRANSPORTATION.

>> WE ALL RODE A BIKE TO CLASS AT U.H..

THE WORLD HAS GOTTEN BETTER IN SOME WAYS, HARDER IN OTHERS.

WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DON'T MENTION THE MAIN DIFFERENCE COST OF HAWAI'I IS PROBLEMATIC IN HAWAI'I IS HOUSING.

YOU'RE NOT LIVING IN A PLANTATION COTTAGE IN HONOKAA, ALL THOUGH THAT WOULD BE COOL.

YOU ARE LIVING IN A BUILDING THAT IS SUBJECT TO DEPRECIATION.

EXPECT NOW YOU'RE IN IT WITH THREE HUNDRED OTHERS.

AND YOU GOT ISSUES PROBLEMS AND GOT AOAO.

>> I THINK THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I'M GETTING AT IN TERMS OF COST OF LIVING, COST OF HOUSING, IT'S CRAZY AND GOING UP.

IT'S GOING UP.

MY SON RENTS AND IT'S GOING UP.

THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF RENTERS IN YOUR GUY'S BUS.

>> TAKING ABOUT HOUSING, THAT IS ONE THING THAT IS HEARTBREAKING.

YOUNG FEELS OR COLLEGE GRADUATE, AMERICAN DREAM IS TO OWN YOUR OWN HOUSE.

IF HAWAI'I THAT IS A CRAZY CONCEPT.

THAT IS A REASON WE'LL SEE PEOPLE LEAVING THE ISLANDS TO GET A JOB ON THE MAINLAND IS BECAUSE THEY CAN BUY A HOUSE FOR LESS OF A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR 158RY -- SALARY OR WHATEVER THEY'RE MAKING.

>> MR. MACRO HERE.

>> THAT IS A MACRO THING.

>> IT IS.

I GET THAT.

IF YOU -- WE LOOK AT OUR WORKFORCE PROBLEM, COST OF LIVING PROBLEM AND ACTUALLY SAID WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A TON OF HOUSES, HOW WOULD THAT AFFECT OUR WORKFORCE?

>> MORE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND A PLACE THEY CAN AFFORD TO LIVE.

>> IT'S HOW AFFORDABLE IS THAT HOUSING GOING TO GO?

>> STILL GOING TO BE A HALF A MILLION DOLLAR CONDO.

>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD MORE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BUILD MORE RICH PEOPLE'S HOMES BECAUSE THEY CAN ALL RIGHT BUY A HOME.

ADDITIONAL HOUSING IS NOT GOING TO BE THE 30TH POPULAR.

>> IT NEEDS TO BE.

>> PROBLEM IS WE DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN.

>> YOU THINK IF WE LET THAT HAPPEN, IT WOULD BE AFFORD J?

>> WHEN WE GO 50 YEARS AGO, WE WERE ALSO BUILDING TEN TIMES AS MUCH AS WE DO TODAY.

IF WE ONLY BUILT FIVE TIMES AS MUCH WHICH IS HALF AS 50 YEARS AGO, THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH HOUSING TO SOLVE THAT PART.

JOBS AND INCOME, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT TRAINING, EDUCATION, STAYING ON TRACK TO MOVE OCCUPATIONALLY IN TERMS OF SKILLS.

BUT THE HOUSING PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE SOLVED AND WE CAN GET BACK TOLD WORK OF -- >> WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?

I'M I THINK TREE -- INTRIGUE THE 50 YEARS AGO WE WERE MAKING MORE THAN OTHER FOLKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SORRY, DARYL.

>> WHEN WAS YOUR BUILDING BUILT?

>> PRE1970S.

>> 80% OF HIGH-RISES BOIL BUILT BEFORE THE "MAGNUM PI."

>> I'M PICTURING THE SPORTS CAR.

>> WE'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO THE WORLD WHERE WE'RE ABLE TO BUILT CAPACITY AND YET DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE OR WHATEVER.

WE CRUSHED THAT.

YOU GRADUATE FROM KAISER, 14,000 BUILDING PERMITS.

AVERAGE ON OAHU, 2500 A YEAR.

>> LET ME GET MORE PEOPLE 1R0689D -- INVOLVED HERE.

HOW DOES THE HOUSING SITUATION AFFECT YOUR ABILITY?

>> IT'S HARD.

EVERYONE'S GOT TO PAY RENT AND RENT IS GOING UP.

PEOPLE WANT TO BUY A HOUSE.

THEY CAN'T DO IT.

IT'S NOT JUST HOUSING.

IT'S CHILD CARE AND A WHOLE BURGEON BUNCH OF THINGS.

MINIMUM WAIL AND TARIFFS BUILDS INTO COST OF LIVING BECAUSE WE PASS IT ON TO THE CUSTOMERS.

THERE'S OLE SO MUCH RETAILERS CAN EAT.

YOU DO SEE HIGHER PRICES.

YOU'RE GETTING $2 AN HOUR, BREAD AND SPAM IS ALSO GOING UP.

IT'S A CHICKEN AND EGG THING.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO NEED FOR FAMILIES TO MULTIGENERATIONALLY LIVING, IS THERE A ROLE IN THE WORKPLACE FOR THAT?

DO YOU FIND YOURSELVES HAVING TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE STUFF MORE OFTEN?

>> YES.

WORKERS THAT LIVE TOGETHER OR FAMILIES ALL COME TO WORK TOGETHER.

TAKE THE BUS OR TAKE ONE CAR.

SOME TAKE CAR AND GO TO DIFFERENT JOBS.

FLEXIBILITY IS ONE ACCOMMODATION WE TRY TO MAKE SO THEY CAN CATCH THE BUS OR GET A RIDE WITH AUNTIE AND UNCLE.

A LOT OF CHEAPER HOUSING IS FAR.

HOURS TWO HOUR COMMUTE.

WHEN THEY TRY TO FIND HOUSING CLOSER TO WORK, THAT IS CHALLENGER.

MOST OF THE JOB'S ARE IN TOWN SO IT'S KIND OF A CHALLENGE.

>> I KNOW SOMEBODY ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLAND BOUGHT A COUPLE OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS, FIXED THEM AND THAT WAS THE ATTRACTION.

WORK FOR ME.

YOU GET CHEAP RENT.

IT'S NOT A FANCY KIND OF THINGS BUT IT'S HOUSING.

>> ARE THERE BIG HOTEL DEVELOPERS OR HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE BUILDING HOUSING FOR THEIR WORKERS?

>> NOT THAT I KNOW OF.

WE PROPOSED JUST GOING BACK ONE STEP ON CHILD ELDER CARE.

IT'S SUCH AN ISSUE THAT IN 2018 WE BARGAINED WITH ALL OUR MAJOR EMPLOYERS, AND VAST MAJORITY OF HOTEL EMPLOYEES A NEW SUB FUND TO HELP MEMBERS IDENTIFY THE RISING COST OF CHILDCARE AND ELDER CARE.

AND IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT BRU IT IT -- BUT IT GOES A LONG WAY.

IN THE INTEREST TO PUT MONEY ASIDE SO PEOPLE ARE AVAILABLE TO WORK.

>> EXPLAIN THAT PROGRAM?

>> WE BARGAINED NOT JUST WAGES BUT BARGAINED AN AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT GOES INTO A FUND THAT OUR MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET A SUBSIDY.

TO OFFSET THE COST OF CHILDCARE.

>> LIKE A CHILDCARE FUND.

>> AND ELDER CARE.

>> SAME FUND THAT WE HAVEN'T YET STARTED IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF TAX ISSUES AND COMPLICATED.

DEMAND FOR HE WOULDER CARE -- ER ELDER CARE IS MORE.

>> I COULD TAP INTO THIS FUND AND OFFSET THE COST.

THAT COULD GO TO HIM.

>> YEAH.

SO IS THERE AN EXPECTATION OR RETAIL OR RESTAURANT THAT BENEFIT IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY?

IT'S PRETTY COMPLICATED.

>> IT IS AND IT'S ALSO VERY COSTLY.

IT'S AGAIN THAT BALANCE.

AS A RETAIL OR -- AND I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAKING FOR YOU.

YOU GOT TO MAKE MONEY BECAUSE YOU GOT TO PAY YOUR WORKER AND RENT AND YOUR TAXES.

GOT TO PAY HEALTHCARE.

IF THE BUSINESS IS NOT DOING GOOD AND THEY CLOSE, YOUR EMPLOYEES' NOT GOING TO GET ANYTHING.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET PAID OR ANY TYPE OF BENEFITS.

IT'S THAT DELICATE BALANCE OF WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD.

>> ALL OF THAT PRESSURE THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUSINESS CLOSES, I'M HEARING THERE'S PLENTY JOBS BECAUSE THERE'S ALL THESE VACANCIES.

IS IT A BAD THINK THING IF THE BUSINESS CLOSES?

>> AFTER THE PANDEMIC THERE WAS A SURGE IN VACANCY.

PEOPLE RESORTING WHERE THEY WANT TO BUILD.

THAT'S GONE.

>> OKAY.

>> LIKE THIS RETAIL WE FOUND OU.

I'M GOING TO RETIRE NEXT YEAR.

NOW THEY'RE HOME BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

STAYING AT HOME IS NOT THAT BAD.

AFTER A YEAR OR SINCE MONTHS, BENEFITS ARE ENDED AND I HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING.

THOSE WHO HAD A COT AGE INDUSTRY FOUND OUT THEY CAN MAKE A LIVING.

OR IF THEY WORKED AT A RETAIL STORM.

THEY KIND OF START THE THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

>> VACANCY IS LESS.

IT'S COSTING YOU MORE TO GET PEOPLE TO WORK?

>> THEY WANT TO STAY AT HOME.

THEY ONLY WANT TO WORK CERTAIN DAYS.

>> NOD LIKE TODAY.

A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE A TETRIS GAME.

>> HOTELS IN WAIKIKI, WE'RE LOOK FOR THE SAME WORKER AND IF THEY'RE NOT HAPPY, THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO EASILY FIND A JOB WITHIN A WEEK.

THAT'S ONE THING.

A ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE IT'S ALWAYS A REVOLVING DOOR.

BUT AS AN EMPLOYER, WHAT OUR GOAL IS, IS TO SLOW THAT REVOLVING DOOR AS SLOW AS POSSIBLE.

THAT'S WHAT I TELL PEOPLE.

YES, COMPENSATION IS PART OF IT BUT LIKE YOU TALKS ABOUT EARLIER, IT'S THE COMPLETE PACKAGE.

CULTURE, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE KEY ON.

THEY ENJOY THEIR CO-WORKERS, THEY'RE GOING TO STAY.

THEY WILL RECRUIT FOR YOU WHICH IS PRICELESS.

I'D SAY 80% OF MY RU RECRUITINGY TEAM BRINGS IN FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW AMAZING THAT IS BECAUSE THEY'RE VETTED AND END UP STICKING LONGER TOO.

>> I DON'T LIKE ENDING SHOWS WITH A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS.

SOMETIMES THAT'S HOW THE TONE BECOMES.

I'D LIKE TO ASK EACH OF YOU, YOU GAVE ME A SENSE OF HOPE.

THANK YOU.

[LAUGHTER] BUT DO WE HAVE HOPE FOR THIS WORKING FORCE?

WE HAVE HOPE FO THIS ECONOMY?

CADE FOR YOU TALKED ABOUT YOUR FAMILY SITUATION, THE CHALLENGE.

YOU STILL HAVE HOPE AND WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL CHANGE FOR THE BETTER?

WIND GOT 35, 40 SECONDS FOR EACH OF YOU.

>> HAVING BEEN BORN AND RAISED ON THE SUGAR PLANTATION IN HAINA, LIKE LIVING AND GROWING UP IN HAWAI'I IS A SPECIAL THING.

AND I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR INDUSTRY LIKE HOSPITALITY, OUR MEMBERS JOIN THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF HOSPITALITY.

WE WANT TO GIVE THAT SERVICE.

AND HOW DO WE ENHANCE THAT?

THERE'S MANY WAYS.

I THINK REALLY THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE ALLOWED REAL ESTATE, LARGE PLAYERS, WE HAVEN'T DRIVEN A HARD ENOUGH BARGAIN AS COMMUNITY WITH THIS BIG CORPORATE ENTITIES.

>> YOU'VE GOT RESTAURANTS SAYING WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD A FAMILY.

RETAIL TRYING TO BUILD A FAMILY.

ABOUT 45 SECONDS LEFT.

TINA.

>> I DO.

RETAIL IS ALWAYS REVOLVING.

THOSE WHO REVOLVE SURVIVE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SURVIVORS.

>> PAUL, YOU'VE BEEN THE MOST HOPELESS.

>> SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T TALK THE ABOUT THESE INDUSTRIES ARE ALL INDUSTRY FOR OPPOSITIONATIONALLY MOST ARE ON THE JOB SITE.

POST PANDEMIC, ONE-QUARTER WORK AT HOME OR REMOTE.

FOR YOUR INDUSTRY AND PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THEM AND AMENITY PACKAGE IS PARTICIPATELY SHAPED BY WORKING AT HOME LIKE DIALEDCARE.

>> IN A SENSE IT'S GOING TO DO EVOLVE IN A POSITIVE WAY BECAUSE IT DOES.

>> THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN BECAUSE EVERYBODY WASP TO -- WANTS TO BE BARREL OFF.

>> THANK YOU.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT -- AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS - MIKE PALMER, CHAIR OF THE HAWAII RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION AND CADE WATANABE, FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF LOCAL 5 AND TINA YAMAKI, PRESIDENT OF RETAIL MERCHANTS OF HAWAII AND ECONOMIST PAUL BREWBAKER.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I -- WITH INFLATION, FEWER EMPLOYERS OFFERING PENSIONS, AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECRURITY IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT.

TELL ME ABOUT IT.

JOIN US NEXT WEEK.

FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I, I'M DARYL HUFF, ALOHA!