Royal Kona Resort workers ratify new contract
Royal Kona Resort workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 5 voted the evening of Oct. 28 to ratify a new contract, following nearly 2 years of negotiations and bargaining with management.
The agreement was approved by 100% of the employees voting.
Highlights include historic wage increases, better job security language, protections in the event of a major emergency and more.
Their previous contract expired in January 2025.
Royal Kona Resort workers spent the time since taking various steps to secure a fair contract, including a 1-day strike in December 2025, rallying outside the property on a consistent basis, engaging with hotel guests and getting support of community members and elected leaders.
“We were ready to do whatever it takes to win the fair contract we deserve … and in the end it was worth it,” said Royal Kona Resort 18-year maintenance veteran employee Daniel Hauanio on Wednesday evening after the new contract’s ratification. “It was hard, but I didn’t give up because I know we weren’t just fighting for Royal Kona workers, we were fighting for our families and for our community.”
Local 5 also filed an unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board against Royal Kona Resort, declaring an impasse in the middle of contract negotiations and saying the resort implemented changes to working conditions without negotiating.
The federal government found in March that the hotel had violated federal labor law by making changes to working conditions without bringing the union to the table first.
“Ultimately, we won because Royal Kona Resort workers did not give up and did not allow management to treat them like they were second-class,” said UNITE HERE Local 5 President Gemma Weinstein following Wednesday evening’s ratification vote. “The hospitality industry continues to be Hawai‘i’s No. 1 industry and we need to make sure these jobs continue to be good jobs for future generations, whether it’s in Waikīkī or on our neighbor islands.”
Local 5 — since a 40-day strike in 2024 at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikīkī on O‘ahu — has secured new contracts for 8,000-plus workers at 24 hotels throughout Hawai‘i.
Royal Kona Resort was the last hotel to settle, marking the end of the contract cycle.
Photo from the night of Oct. 28, 2026, following the ratification of a new contract by employees represented by UNITE HERE Local 5. The new agreement was approved by 100% of those voting and follows nearly 2 years of negotiations with resort management. (Courtesy Photo: Angelina Spence)- Photo from the night of Oct. 28, 2026, following the ratification of a new contract by employees represented by UNITE HERE Local 5. The new agreement was approved by 100% of those voting and follows nearly 2 years of negotiations with resort management. (Courtesy Photo: Angelina Spence)
Local 5 represents 11,000 workers throughout Hawai‘i who work in the hospitality, healthcare and food service industries.
It is an affiliate of the international UNITE HERE, which represents 300,000 workers throughout the United States and Canada.
