Join Labor Day weekend rallies across Hawaiʻi

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association encourages its members, their ʻohana, friends, and allies to participate in peaceful Labor Day weekend rallies taking place across the state during the Labor Day weekend. If you can, feel free to represent in your HSTA shirts at these events.

Hawaiʻi has a rich history of labor solidarity going back to when immigrants were brought here to work the sugar and pineapple plantations. Much of that history is being forgotten, like the circumstances and aftermath of the Hanapēpē Massacre where 16 Filipino strikers, seeking better wages and working conditions, were shot to death in that standoff just over 100 years ago.

HSTA members have also shown their solidarity throughout its history including during strikes that occurred in 1973 and 2001. We appreciate all who have remained steadfast members of our union and ask you to invite potential members to visit hsta.org/join to become part of our ʻohana.

Attacks on public education and labor unions have been ratcheted up this year. School voucher schemes throughout the country have resulted in the closure of public schools. A national school voucher program was signed into law in July, but the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education has indicated, “The governor’s office, in coordination with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, is closely evaluating the program’s structure, its implementation requirements, and its compatibility with Hawai‘i’s constitutional prohibition on the use of public funds for private education.”

At the beginning of this year, Hawaiʻi was still listed as having the highest union membership rate in the country at 26.5% as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those numbers may start to come down a little as hundreds of thousands of federal workers across the country are now being stripped of their collective bargaining rights.

Labor Day is a time for workers and allies to show solidarity in the face of threats to jobs and worker rights. The ultra-wealthy have accelerated their wealth accumulation off the backs of workers and families who struggle even more to stay afloat. President Donald Trump and his billionaire allies have control over the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court and they’re rushing to cut safety net programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), Medicare, and Social Security and take away our freedoms and diminish our democracy.

Stand with us and tens of thousands of people across the country as we rally this Labor Day weekend. Wave your best homemade sign and shout “Workers, NOT billionaires” as we protest these assaults on our rights and our system of government. Bring along your family and friends as we raise our voices – and our fists.

Rally dates, times, locations

Maui
Saturday, Aug. 30, 4:30 p.m. to sunset
Maluaka Beach, Makena

Kauaʻi
Monday, Sept. 1, 9 to 11 a.m.
Kukui Grove Center, Kaumualii Hwy. in Lihuʻe, fronting Macy’s

Waimea
Monday, Sept. 1, 10 to 11 a.m.
Mamalahoa Hwy (19), fronting Ikua Purdy Monument / Parker Ranch Center

O‘ahu
Monday, Sept. 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hawai‘i State Capitol

Na’alehu
Monday, Sept. 1, Noon to 1 p.m.
Hwy 11 near the U.S. Post Office

Hilo
Monday, Sept. 1, 3 to 5 p.m.
Pauahi St. and Kamehameha Ave., Hilo Bayfront

Kailua-Kona
Monday, Sept. 1, 4 to 5 p.m.
Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy, south of Henry St., behind Mormon Temple