BUSINESSES THAT SURVIVED COVID 19 INDUCED GOVERNMENT LOCKDOWNS WERE BEGINNING TO SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AS THEY RE OPENED WITH FEWER RESTRICTIONS BUT THEN A NEW PROBLEM DEVELOPED, NOT ENOUGH EMPLOYEES.

WE TALK WITH HAWAII BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE NEXT ON INSIGHTS.

HELP WANTED.

GO TO ANY SHOPPING CENTER IN HAWAI’I AND YOU WILL NO DOUBT SEE THE SIGNS HANGING IN STOREFRONT WINDOWS.

AS LOCAL BUSINESSES RECOVER FROM THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF COVID 19 THEY ARE DEALING WITH A RECORD NUMBER OF VACANT POSITIONS AND A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS TO FILL THEM.

JOIN OUR LIVE DISCUSSION AS WE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACING HAWAII BUSINESS OWNERS DURING COVID 19.

THIS LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M OLENA HEU.

ACROSS AMERICA EMPLOYERS ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING WORKERS AND HAWAII, IN PARTICULAR, HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY AFFECTED BY THE LABOR SHORTAGE.

WHILE THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 6 PERCENT HERE IN HAWAII UNEMPLOYMENT HOVERS AROUND 9 PERCENT.

AS OF MAY 2021, NEARLY 80 PERCENT OF HAWAII FIRMS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND CANDIDATES TO FILL THEIR OPEN POSITIONS.

85 PERCENT HAVE AT LEAST ONE OPENING, 65 PERCENT HAVE BETWEEN ONE AND TEN OPENINGS AND 30 PERCENT HAVE ELEVEN OR MORE OPENINGS.

ON SEPTEMBER 4TH FOUR FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS TO HELP THOSE WITHOUT JOBS EXPIRED AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LOST BENEFITS.

WILL BUSINESSES SEE AN INCREASE IN APPLICANTS NOW THAT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS HAVE TIGHTENED OR WILL THE RECENT SPIKE IN COVID CASES COMPLICATE THE EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES?

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

YOU CAN EMAIL, CALL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS.

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

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

SHERRY MENOR MCNAMARA WAS APPOINTED THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAWAI’I IN 2013.

SHE IS THE FIRST WOMAN, FIRST PERSON OF ASIAN DESCENT, AND THE YOUNGEST PRESIDENT AND CEO IN THE ORGANIZATION’S 170 YEAR HISTORY.

SHERRY WAS BORN IN JAPAN AND RAISED IN HILO WHERE SHE GRADUATED FROM WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL.

PRIOR TO HER APPOINTMENT SHERRY HAS WORKED WITH ESPN, THE SONY CORPORATION, THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE, AND U.S.

SENATOR DANIEL AKAKA.

ALONG WITH HIS WIFE OF 24 YEARS, MARION, DON MURPHY IS THE OWNER OF THE ICONIC IRISH PUB, MURPHY'S BAR & GRILL IN CHINATOWN IN HONOLULU.

DON IS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY, DONATING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THROUGH HIS CHARITABLE FUNDRAISERS.

DON WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME FOR HIS WORK SUPPORTING UH ATHLETICS.

NATE HIX IS THE DIRECTOR OF LIVING WAGE HAWAII, A LOCAL ADVOCACY GROUP FOCUSED ON ENSURING ALL WORKERS ARE PAID A LIVING WAGE.

NATE IS A FORMER TEACHER AT CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL IN KANEOHE, WINDWARD OAHU AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING TOWARD CREATING A HIGHER LIVING STANDARD FOR ALL OF HAWAI‘I’S RESIDENTS.

AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM IS SHANI BRYANT.

SHANI IS A MANAGER AT ALTRES, OVERSEEING ALL FACETS OF RECRUITMENT, PLACEMENT, CUSTOMER SERVICE, BILLING AND TRAINING FOR THE HONOLULU AND AIEA INDUSTRIAL STAFFING TEAMS.

A 30 YEAR VETERAN OF THE EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRY, SHANI DONATES MUCH OF HER TIME HELPING STUDENTS LEARN RESUME WRITING, INTERVIEWING AND JOB SEARCHING SKILLS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

AND MY FIRST QUESTION IS GOING TO BE ACTUALLY SHERRY.

WE WARD AVENUE OVERPASS TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT A STUDY THAT HELD IN MAY AND ALSO, MOST RECENTLY IN JULY.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE NUMBERS THAT YOU SAW WHEN IT COMES TO EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESSES?

>> SURE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

BACK IN MAY, HEARING A LOT ABOUT BUSINESS IS NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND WORKERS.

DECIDED TO SURVEY OUR MEMBERSHIP ACROSS THE STATE AS TO HOW PREVALENT THIS ISSUE WAS.

SURE ENOUGH, MORE THAN 85% SAID THEY HAD WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

RATE, SIZE OF BUSINESS AN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES, AS WELL AS HIGH PAYING JOBS AS WELL, FAST FORWARD, PERCENTAGE DIDN'T COME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

IT WAS JUST WAIVERING AROUND THAT PERCENTAGE LEVEL.

SO YOU CAN SEE IT'S STILL CHALLENGE AND NOW, WITH THESE NEW MANDATES.

>> IT WILL FURTHER FORCE MANY BUSINESSES TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE NOT SHORTAGE IN THEIR BUSINESS, WILL NOT GET WORSE.

>>Olena: SO IN THAT SURVEY YOU DID FIND THAT 86% OF BUSINESSES WERE STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS IN MAY.

THEN YOU WERE FINDING THAT IT WAS SIMILAR IN JULY AS WELL.

>> CORRECT.

THERE WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT CHANGE THERE.

>>Olena: WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> I THINK THERE'S FEW REASONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THAT.

ONE, SOME EMPLOYEES ARE NOT COMFORTABLE RETURNING TO THE WORK YET.

AND ANOTHER IS SOME EMPLOYEES DECIDED THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO WORK IN THAT INDUSTRY AIDEN AND FIND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND RETRAIN FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

THREE, CHILD CARE.

MANY STAY HOME AND NOW, THAT STUDENTS AREN'T ABLE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, BUT AT THAT TIME, IT WAS CHILD CARE WAS ISSUE.

MANY CONTRIBUTING FACTORS AND SO THAT IS WHY GIVEN SUMMER MONTH, THE PERCENTAGE HAS NOT GONE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

MOVING OVER TO YOU WITH RESTAURANT AND A BAR.

WE'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING THAT THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING PEOPLE TO JUST SHOW UP FOR WORK.

>> YEAH.

PAST FEW MONTHS, WE NEEDED BACK OF THE HOUSE KITCHEN HELP AND I HIRED 2 OR 3 GUYS THAT JUST DIDN'T SHOW UP FOR WORK.

CAME IN, INTERVIEWED, GOOD INTERVIEW, GREAT.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.

DIDN'T SHOW.

I HEARD THAT FROM SEVERAL OTHER GUYS I KNOW IN THE INDUSTRY.

>>Olena: WHY DO YOU THINK THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I GUESS IT'S COMBINATION OF A LOT OF THINGS.

JUST GOT USED TO NOT WORKING.

DECIDED TO GET A JOB.

MAYBE GOT COLD FEET.

AND I DON'T KNOW.

CRAZY.

>>Olena: WITH COVID NUMBERS GOING UP AND GOING DOWN, DO YOU SEE A DIRECT IMPACT WHEN THE NUMBERS DO GO UP IN TERMS OF BUSINESS?

>> OH, YEAH.

THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AGO, WE HAD ONE OF THE BEST WEEKS WE HAD IN YEARS.

THIS IS GREAT.

REALLY TURNING AROUND.

NUMBERS, WHEN THAT NUMBERS REALLY START TO SPIKE, BUSINESS JUST PLUMMETED.

HEARD THAT FROM A LOT OF GUYS IN THE THE INDUSTRY.

>>Olena: TALK ABOUT HOW YOU'RE HELPING PEOPLE FIND JOBS AND LOSS HELPING EMPLOYERS FIND WORKERS.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING CURRENTLY.

>> >> I'VE DONE THIS FOR 30 YEARS.

THIS IS THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, IT'S BEEN HARDEST STRUGGLE.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS WE'RE NOT SEEING NORMAL POCKETS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR WORK.

NORMALLY, YOU WOULD HAVE SUMMER HIRES.

THAT IS WHERE THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY PICKS UP SUMMER HIRES.

>> YOU DIDN'T HAVE COLLEGE KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL.

OUT OF SCHOOL AND ALREADY WORKING PART TIME JOBS.

DIDN'T HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR CAREER CHANGE.

HAVE A JOB.

BUT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

THOSE PEOPLE I THINK HUNKER DOWN.

SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WITH COVID.

I WANT TO LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT JOB RIGHT NOW.

I'M GOING TO STAY HUNKERED DOWN WHERE I'M AT.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES.

NOT SO MUCH, SOMEONE SICK AND, STAY HOME FOR 4 DAYS.

WHO IS GOING TO WATCH THEM?

START A NEW JOB.

SHOULD I JUST WAIT?

PEOPLE ACCESS TO, JUST DON'T RIGHT NOW.

HAVING TO GET REALLY CREATIVE ON HOW TO MAINTAIN, NOT LOSE ANY EMPLOYEES.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO HELP THEM WITH.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

NATE, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AS FAR AS PEOPLE BEING AFFECTED BY COVID 19 AND HOW IS THAT AFFECTING THOSE THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO HELP.

>> YEAH.

SO BIG STRUGGLE ESPECIALLY FOR WORKERS ON THE LOWER END.

WHO WORK RISK GETTING COVID POTENTIALLY.

HAVE GO HOME, NOT PROVIDE FOR FAMILY, THEMSELVES.

DIFFICULT FOR THEM WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES PROTECT THEMSELVES AND MAKE ENDS MEET FOR THEMSELVES.

>>Olena: MINIMUM WAGE.

>> COST OF LIVING VERY HIGH.

WAGE $10.10 AN HOUR, $21,000 FOR FULL TIME WORKER.

JUST NOT ENOUGH.

STATE SAYS JUST A SINGLE PERSON NEEDS ABOUT $35,000 ANNUALLY JUST TO SURVIVE.

RENT, BUY FOOD, THIS IS FULL TIME, AND SO IT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE.

POPULATION, FULL TIME WORKERS OVER A FOURTH OF THEM MAKE LESS THAN WHAT THE STATE SAYS THEY NEED.

>>Olena: WOW.

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO ASSIST PEOPLE?

>> OUR GOAL IS DEFINITELY TO TRY TO PUSH THE LEGISLATURE TO RAISE THAT MINIMUM WAGE.

JUST LIKE DEMOCRATIC STATES AROUND THE NATION HAVE BEEN DOING.

JUST LIKE PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR.

THAT'S WHERE OUR EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED TRYING TO MAKE SURE HAWAII JOIN THIS LARGE SWATH OF THE POPULATION TO RAISE MINIMUM WAGE.

>>Olena: HOW DO YOU THINK BUSINESSES WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY?

>> WITH THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF EMPLOYERS OVER 100 EMPLOYEES, IMPLEMENTING THE MANDATE, VACCINATING OR TESTING, ANOTHER LAYER OF CHALLENGES IN OTHERWISE CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESSES.

STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

HOW DO YOU IMPLEMENT THAT?

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

WHEN DO YOU GIVE YOUR EMPLOYEE TIME OFF TO GET THE VACCINATION RATE?

ET CETERA.

AND ALL THE TESTS THAT EMPLOYEE DOES TAKE, WILL BE COVERED BY BUSINESSES.

IF IT'S DONE ON WEEKLY BASIS, YOU CAN IMAGINE JUST ADDS UP AND SO THERE IS STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS OUT THERE.

THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE DATE YET.

IN THE DETAILS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT.

SAFE ACCESS PROGRAM STARTS ON MONDAY.

SO I'M SURE DON CAN TALK MORE ABOUT IT AND HOW HE'S GOING TO DO IT IN HIS WORKPLACE.

BUT IT WILL POSE SOME CHALLENGES BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WE THOUGHT IN JULY, END OF THE TUNNEL.

AND DELTA CAME IN AND NOW, IT'S DISRUPTED OPERATIONS OF MANY BUSINESSES.

>>Olena: HOW ARE YOU PREPPING FOR SEPTEMBER 13TH?

SAFE ACCESS PROGRAM?

>> TRIED TO FIGURE IT OUT FIRST.

WE'RE TRYING TO, SYSTEM WHERE WE CAN TRACK EVERYBODY THAT COMES IN.

VACCINATED BEFORE.

ON THE FAREN, EASIER BECAUSE WE GET SO MANY REGULARS.

PROBABLY 80% OF THE COME IN ARE THERE ALL THE TIME.

FRONT OF HOUSE, DIFFERENT.

PEOPLE COMING IN FOR DINNER AND EVERYTHING.

FORTUNATELY, PERCENTAGE OF REGULAR.

JUST GOING TO DO BEST WE CAN OF THE ONE THOSE THINGS.

THIS HAS ALL BEEN.

>>Olena: EVERYONE IS LEARN TO GO ADAPT.

EACH AND EVERY DAY.

PRETTY MUCH.

WE ARE TAKING VIEWER QUESTIONS.

AND WE HAVE ONE FROM MARCUS IN MAKIKI.

YOU CAN SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR ALSO GIVE US A CALL.

HE ASKS, WILL EMPLOYERS HIRE SOMEONE IN THEY ARE NOT VACCINATED?

>> MAYBE FOR BOTH OF YOU, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I WOULD NOT KNOW.

ALL OF OUR PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED.

I WOULDN'T.

MANDATED.

GOT TO GO THROUGH, TOO BIG OF A HASSLE.

SAFETY OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT I HAVE, BEEN WORKING FOR ME FOR SOME FOR WELL OVER 20 YEARS.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME.

>>Olena: SHERRY, HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED THAT AS WELL, WHERE EMPLOYERS ARE ASKING IF THEY HAVE TO?

>> WE DID OUR SURVEY, IN AUGUST, I BELIEVE, WE ASKED OUR EMPLOYERS ARE YOU GOING TO MANDATE VACCINATIONS IN A WORKPLACE?

AT THAT TIME, 56%.

MOST OF EMPLOYEES WERE VACCINATED ALREADY.

2, MORE WAIT AND SEE APPROACH.

I THINK AS MORE BUSINESSES DO IT.

WILL GAIN MOMENTUM AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROGRAMS MANDATING EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS PATRONS, WILL SEE A SHIFT.

I'M NOT SURE.

I THINK BECAUSE TREND IS DIRECTING THAT WAY.

WHETHER OR NOT BUSINESSES WILL STILL HIRE THOSE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED AND DO NOT WANT TO GET VACCINATED.

AGAIN, THERE'S A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AS WELL.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

ULTIMATELY, DON MENTIONED WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE CUSTOMERS.

>>Olena: I THINK ALSO CALLS INTO QUESTION THE EXEMPTIONS THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE SEEKING.

WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S VALID.

ALSO, ARE YOU GETTING THAT QUESTION TOO ABOUT EMPLOYERS HAVING TO VACCINATE, MANDATING VACCINATION.

>> SURE.

I WILL SAY LAST 3 WEEKS, SEEN EVERY DAY, WE HAVE MORE CLIENTS THAT CALL AND SAY, IMPLEMENTED NEW POLICY.

HOWEVER, ONLY ABOUT 50%.

THE OPEN ABOUT 50% OF OUR CLIENTS.

THOSE ARE BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE ISLANDS.

THAT ARE MAKING IT MANDATORY.

SOME POSITION OUT THERE, SOME COMPANIES THAT ARE CHOOSING AT THIS TIME, DOESN'T MEAN TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE THE SAME, EVERY DAY, THEY ARE MORE AND MORE MAKE IT MANDATORY.

SOME POSITION.

MOST OF THEM ARE SMALLER COMPANIES.

THEY FEEL THEY CAN MANAGE WORKFORCE BETTER.

SOME ARE AFRAID TO LOSE THEIR CURRENT REALLY GOOD EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN WITH THEM FOR 20 YEARS.

CHOOSE NOT TO GET VACCINATED.

EITHER ALL OR NONE.

WHEN YOU'RE MAKING FOR OUR BUSINESS.

QUESTION OF THE VIEWER, YES, THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE.

IT IS GOING TO BE HARDER AND HARDER TO FIND THOSE JOBS I THINK IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS.

SO DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A LOT MORE FEET ON THE PAVEMENT TYPE OF LOOK FOR SURE.

>> DO YOU SEE POTENTIAL OF LAWSUITS DISCRIMINATION SUITS.

>> WE'RE NOT THERE.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

NOTHING YET.

JUST THE FACT THAT IF YOU DO ALLOW PEOPLE TO TEST EVERY WEEK, YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM TO GET THE TEST, TIME IT TAKES THEM, 3 HOURS, AND AS LONG AS YOU'RE CONSISTENT, AS LONG AS EMPLOYERS REMAIN CONSISTENT, WITH ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, NOT SHOWING FAVORITISM.

NOT PICK AND CHOOSING SAME ONE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

BUT YOU DO.

IF BUSINESSES JUST FOLLOW RULES OF HR, BUSINESSES ARE GREAT HERE IN HAWAII, IT SHOULD BE FINE.

THIS IS VERY UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THOSE PEOPLE THAT, FILE EMPLOYMENT.

UNEMPLOYMENT SAYS GOING TO BE DENIED.

TRIPLE EFFECT.

ALL GET THROUGH IT.

>> WE DID A WEBINAR HOW TO IMPLEMENT MASS VACCINATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE OR MANDATE.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND A LOT OF IT RELATED TO LEGAL COMPLIANCE ISSUES BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT, WANT TO IT RIGHT.

BUT IT'S THE HOW DO IT.

WIDE INTEREST IN CONSIDERING PROGRAM.

>> WHEN I THINK ALSO WHEN THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED SAFE ACCESS MANDATE ONE OF THE QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS IS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO LEGALLY?

WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT LATER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT WE DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

ACTUALLY FOR YOU, NATE.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT VACCINATION MANDATES FROM MARK?

>> WHAT AM I HEARING?

PEOPLE COMING TO YOU, DISDAIN, APPLAUSE ABOUT IT, HOW IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THEM AND MAKING LIVING WAGES.

>> I HAVEN'T BEEN HEARING MUCH PUSH BACK AT ALL FOR PEOPLE THAT VACCINATED.

DEFINITELY PUSH THAT WE ARE GETTING IS THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE EARNING A WAGE THAT IS SUFFICIENT.

DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO RETURN TO WORK AND STILL STRUGGLE.

>>Olena: MAUREEN FROM FACEBOOK, RAISE MINIMUM WAGE.

SO OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE WANT TO BE HEARD.

I THINK THIS IS ALSO ANOTHER QUESTION FOR NATE.

WHAT WOULD THE IDEAL CONDITIONS BE FOR WORKERS TO EARN A LIVING WAGE IN HAWAII?

>> WELL, SORT OF ROAD MAP HAS BEEN LAID OUT FORTUNATELY FOR US AROUND THE NATION.

GRADUAL INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

AT 10 NOW.

SLOW MAYBE A DOLLAR.

MAYBE A LITTLE MORE.

PER YEAR.

UNTIL WE GET TO LIVING WAGE.

15 WAS THE TARGET SET BY THE PRESIDENT NATIONWIDE.

STRONG FIRST STEP TO TAKE.

MAKING SURE WE SLOW CONTINUE TO GROW THAT UNTIL WE WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THERE TOMORROW.

NOT OUR GOAL EITHER.

SLOW GRADUAL ROLLOUT TO MAKE IT SO ECONOMY WORKS ALL YOU HAVE US.

>>Olena: HAWAII IS HIRING INITIATIVE.

>> SURE.

SO HAWAII IS HIRING.COM ONE STOP WEBSITE WHERE THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING JOBS TO GET SEE WHAT JOBS ARE AVAILABLE TYPE OF JOBS.

BY ISLAND, AND IT ALSO PROVIDES TRAINING RESOURCES.APPRENTICESHIP, INTERNSHIP INFORMATION.

INSPIRED US DO THIS BECAUSE HAWAII WAS FACING HUGE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND WE WENT FROM THE LOWEST TO HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

SO BACK IN JULY, WE LAUNCHED IN PARTNERSHIP AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK AND OTHER PARTNER AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

TO MAKE IT EASY FOR THOSE SEEKING, SO THEY DON'T HAVE GO THROUGH THIS SIDE OR THAT SIDE.

HAVE A ONE STOP SEAMLESS AS POSSIBLE.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE PSYCHING OPPORTUNITIES WHETHER THEY WANT DIFFERENT TYPE OF JOB, DIFFERENT INDUSTRY, ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO HAWAII'S HIRING.COM TO GET INFORMATION.

>>Olena: ARE YOU GUYS SEEING FOLKS FEEL THEY'RE OVERQUALIFIED?

>> I'M NOT SEEING THAT.

I'M NOT SEEING THAT.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS REALLY THE BIG ISSUE.

I DON'T THINK.

>>Olena: YOU MIGHT THINK, OKAY, THIS IS MY DREAM JOB.

THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO.

>> AND THEN HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT GETTING THAT JOB IN HOW DO YOU FIND IT?

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR WORK AND THEY ARE ALSO COMPLAINING THAT THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO FIND IT.

>> SHOCKING.

THIS IS THE BEST TIME.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR WORKERS, THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO BE LOOKING.

ALMOST EVERYBODY I TALK TO, LOOKING FOR WORKERS.

OFFENSIVELY LEVELS, CONSTRUCTION, WAREHOUSE, CEOS, CLERICAL, RESTAURANT, HOTEL.

EVERYONE IS WORKING FOR WORK.

GREAT TIME TO BE LOOKING.

I UNDERSTAND IT'S SCARY.

EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO THEIR FEELINGS.

WHAT THEY'RE COMFORTABLE WITH AND GETTING OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC SOMETIMES A LITTLE HARD RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S ALSO THIS POOL OF JOBS GOING TO BE OPENING UP FROM THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE LEAVING THEIR POSITIONS BECAUSE THEY HAVE VERY STRONG STANDARD OF WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN THE VACCINE.

CHOOSING NOT TO GET VACCINATED.

POSITIONS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE SEEN OPEN FOR YEARS BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN THOSE POSITIONS MIGHT BE OPENING UP.

SO VERY UNIQUE TIME.

BUT I WILL SAY IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR WORK, THIS IS REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT THERE AND GET WORKING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

HELP A LOT OF BUSINESSES FOR SURE.

>>Olena: WE'VE ALSO SEEN A BIT OF EXODUS TOO.

AFTER COVID.

WHAT THE STATE BEING LOCKED DOWN.

WERE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT RELOCATED.

SO SOME BUSINESSES WERE ALSO SEEING THAT WAS IMPACTING THEM AS WELL.

SO WE DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

FROM FACEBOOK.

IF YOU'RE NOT FOLLOWING US AT PBS HAWAII ON FACEBOOK, PLEASE DO SO.

ARE YOU HAVING TO PAY EMPLOYEES MORE SINCE YOU'RE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER BUSINESSES?

ADD TO THAT, COST OF INFLATION AND YOUR FOOD COSTS.

HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS IN PARTICULAR?

>> FIRST PART, ARE WE HAVING TO PAY THEM MORE, I THINK PROBABLY YES.

I THINK PROBABLY A LOT OF RESTAURANTS ARE.

ALWAYS KIND OF TAKEN THAT ROAD ANY WAY.

YOU WANT TO KEEP THEM.

IF YOU GOT A GOOD ONE, DO WHATEVER YOU CAN.

GOOD BENEFITS.

PAY THEM ABOVE SCALE.

THAT'S PART OF WHAT I'VE ALWAYS DONE.

IT DOES AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS BECAUSE IT'S BOTTOM LINE.

ESPECIALLY WHEN SALES START GOING DOWN.

YOU GOT WORK FOR YOU, GETTING 40 HOURS A WEEK AND CERTAIN RATE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU GOT TO TELL THEM WE GOT TO CUT BACK.

HOUR, CUT BACK.

CUT BACK THE PAY.

CUT BACK HOURS.

THAT'S NOT GOOD.

SO BUT IT AFFECTS BOTTOM LINE.

>>Olena: HOW ABOUT RISING COST OF FOOD?

>> OH, BOY.

YOU CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT.

JUST CRAZY.

PORK GONE UP 30%.

IT'S NUTS.

BUT THAT'S REALLY GOING HURT THE BOTTOM LINE ON A LOT OF PEOPLE.

CAN'T JUST CONTINUALLY THAT ON TO THE CONSUMER BECAUSE OUR TEN OR 15%, WE CAN'T RAISE PRICES 10 OR 15%.

THAT 10 OR 15% THAT YOU RAISE THEM WOULDN'T COVER THE 10 OR 15% THAT YOU GOT TO PAY MORE.

PROBABLY RAISE IT 40%.

JUST CAN'T DO IT.

>>Olena: THEN REGULARS WILL NOTICE, TOO, RIGHT?

>> SURE.

>>Olena: INCREASE PRICE ON THE MENU.

YEAH.

BITE THE BULLET.

TRY TO SNEAK IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S A TRICKY THING.

>>Olena: NOTICE SOME RESTAURANTS IN PARTICULAR ARE INCENTIVIZING STAFF.

GIVE A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOOD CREDIT.

>> I WOULDN'T DO THAT.

YOU TRY TO DO, MY PHILOSOPHY TRY DO THE BEST YOU CAN FOR YOUR PEOPLE.

IF THEY'RE GOOD FOR YOU, GOOD TO YOU, DO WHAT YOU CAN.

IF THEY WANT GO, GO.

I'M NOT GOING TO BRIBE SOMEBODY OR THESE INCENTIVES THEY WERE DOING FOR PEOPLE, VACCINATED.

DROVE ME NUTS.

NOT THE WAY I AM.

>>Olena: LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT TRYING TO FIND WORK OR GOOD WORKERS.

SO WHAT KIND OF TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESS THAT ARE TRYING TO FIND GOOD WORKERS?

>> I THINK, BESIDE WHAT KIND OF EMPLOYEE YOU WANT, AND START LOADING WHAT POSITION WILL LOOK LIKE.

WHAT SKILL SET IS NECESSARY.

GOING BACK TO THE HAWAII HIRING.COM WEBSITE, PRETTY MUCH SEE WHAT KIND OF JOBS ARE THERE OUT THERE.

AVAILABLE.

AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BENEFITS ARE GENEROUS.

OR THAT TO KEEP THE ENSURE THAT WE CAN, NOT ONLY ATTRACT, BUT ALSO RETAIN THE EMPLOYEES IN THE WORKPLACE.

WHEN WE HAVE THIS POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT, POSITIVE BENEFITS AND IT MAKES, MORE I GUESS, IT'S BETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEE, BETTER FOR THE EMPLOYER.

CREATIVE THAT WAY.

THEY DO A LOT OF THAT KIND OF RESPONSIBILITIES.

>> I DO THINK THAT EMPLOYERS RIGHT NOW, I THINK THAT THEY THING IS FLEXIBILITY.

THEY ALSO NEED TO BE REALLY WELL HEARD THEY'RE AN ADVOCATE FOR A SAFE HEALTHY WORKPLACE.

AND HAVING THAT FACE AND THAT VOICE FOR THE COMPANY THAT CAN DO THAT FOR THEM MAKE SURE THAT'S THE RIGHT PERSON.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS RIGHT NOW, HAVE TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBLE WITH OUR WORKFORCE.

HIRING WE CAN'T JUST GO, THIS IS THE HOLE.

NEED TO YOU FILL THIS.

IF NOT, MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SITUATION.

EVERY SITUATION IS DIFFERENT.

ALL HUMAN.

ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

DEALING WITH ELDERLY PARENTS CHILDREN, THINGS LIKE THAT, COVID.

ALLOW THEM THE FLEXIBILITY ALL IN THE COMMUNICATION.

IT'S ALL COMMUNICATING WITH LAWYER, TRANSPARENT OPEN.

MAKE THOSE PEOPLE AS WELL AS ANYONE NEW COMING IN, THAT YOU'RE AN ADVOCATE FOR THEM.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A SAFE WORKPLACE.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD.

I THINK THAT'S JUST THAT REASSURANCE.

I THINK THAT IS THE KEY THING RIGHT NOW FOR SURE.

>>Olena: DO YOU THINK IN ORDER TO KEEP PEOPLE FEELING SAFE, THINGS LIKE MANDATORY VACCINATION IS A GOOD THING?

>> IT'S HIT OR MISS.

EVERY ONE OF MY CLIENTS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF CASES FOR PEOPLE VACCINATED AND THEY'VE GOTTEN COVID.

GOTTEN REALLY SICK.

SPREAD IT AND THEY'RE VACCINATED.

SO YOU HAVE PEOPLE AT DIFFERENT SIDES THAT HAVE THEIR OWN OPINION.

WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO COMMUNICATION AND BEING VERY TRANSPARENT.

AND MAKING SURE ANYONE IN TEAM, ON YOUR STAFF, THEY HAVE SOMEONE THEY CAN GO TO AND NOT EMBARRASSED TO GO TO.

ALL BE SAFE, EXPOSED CAN YOU KIND OF STOP IT IN HITS TRACTION.

THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT OPENNESS HAS TO BE THERE.

FOR THAT RELATIONSHIP I THINK TO BE SOLID.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE IT HAS TO BE.

>>Olena: WITH VERY ANOTHER QUESTION COMING OVER VIA EMAIL.

THIS IS FOR NATE.

HOW CAN REGULAR LOCAL PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN MAKING SURE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT OUR ECONOMY CAN PAY THEIR BILLS.

SUPPORT THEIR KEIKI AND NOT WORK MORE THAN ONE JOB?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

NOT WORK MORE THAN ONE JOB.

>> GREAT QUESTION.

I LOVE THE SUPPORT.

FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, IT DOES START WITH TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE RAISE WAGES FOR EVERYBODY.

WE ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE TO CALL LOCAL, CALL REPRESENTATIVE, CALL THEIR SENATOR, MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THEY WANT TO MAKE HAWAII AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYBODY.

THEIR VOICE IS BEING HEARD.

A LOT OF LEGISLATORS ARE INUNDATED WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES AND MINIMUM WAGE MIGHT BE PUT ON THE BACK BURNER.

SO REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.

MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM.

A LOT.

AND MIGHT NOT HAVE THE ENERGY AT THE END OF THE DAY TO MAKE THESE CALLS.

>> THEY'RE GETTING CALLS FROM OTHER, LEGISLATORS ARE GETTING CALLS FROM OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE RATHER THAN THE, WORKERS.

THAT WOULD BE MY FIRST STEP.

>>Olena: EXCELLENT.

YOU CAN ALSO GET IN TOUCH WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD PEOPLE.

AND DO THAT IN TERMS OF LIKE COMMUNICATING YOUR CONCERNS IF YOU WANTED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OTHER LAWMAKERS.

OFTENTIMES LAWMAKERS WILL BE PART OF NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETINGS.

FOR THOSE DON'T KNOW HOW TO REACH OUT.

I FEEL OFTENTIMES, PEOPLE ALWAYS WILL SAY, THAT THE WORKFORCE THAT WON'T SHOW UP FOR WORK ARE MILLENIALS OR GEN ZERS, MAKE IT HARD TO SHOW UP FOR WORK.

>> MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE COME TO WORK.

GIVEN OUT MONEY.

PART OF IT.

MILLENIAL THING, GENERATION.

WE WERE THE MILLENIALS THAT OUR PARENTS AT ONE TIME.

I DON'T KNOW.

>>Olena: GOOD POINT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS BEING DONE TO HELP RETAIN WORKERS THAT HAD BEEN LAID OFF OR HAD BEEN FURLOUGHED?

>> JUST, I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK.

WE'VE ONLY HAD A COUPLE THAT DID, GOT EVERYBODY TOGETHER.

I SAID, HEY, IF ANY OF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE COMING TO WORK BECAUSE YOU'RE SICK MOTHER AT HOME OR SOMETHING, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE EXPOSED, GUY TOOK OFF HEAVY DIABETIC.

BUT THEY'RE ALL BACK TO WORK.

ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY AT MURPHY'S.

>>Olena: EMPLOYERS ARE DOING ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR EMPLOYEES WITH DEALING WITH CHILD CARE ISSUES?

AND OTHER COVID CONCERNS?

>> WE'RE SEEING MENTIONED, MORE FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE IT GOES BACK TO RETAINING WORKERS WHO WANT TO WORK WITH THE EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE, THEY CAN EARN A LIVING.

AND ALSO MANAGE HEALTH AND SAFETY ASPECT.

SEEING EMPLOYERS BEING MORE FLEXIBLE ESPECIALLY ALLOWING EMPLOYEES TO WORK HOME.

I KNOW FOR SOME INDUSTRIES THAT MIGHT BE MORE CHALLENGE.

WE'RE SEEING HYBRID MODEL AS WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THAT YES, CAN YOU WORK FROM HOME.

SO THAT CHILD CARE ASPECT CAN BE ADDRESSED.

ALSO, WITH THE CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT AS WELL.

THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED AS WELL.

HAD SOMETHING THE FAMILIES CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AS WELL.

>>Olena: WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT HAS DISAPPEARED ON SEPTEMBER 4TH?

>> WHAT HAPPENED COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

OR LAST WEEK.

WAS IT?

SO TOO EARLY TO TELL HOW THAT WILL IMPACT OR HAVE IMPACT ON JOBS BEING FILLED.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY SOME EMPLOYEES WERE NOT RETURNING TO WORK.

IN ADDITION TO CHILD CARE, IN ADDITION TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY ASPECT.

AND ALSO, WANTING TO FIND ANOTHER JOB.

I THINK WE'LL SEE, HOW THAT IMPACTS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND JOBS BEING FILLED.

>>Olena: AS FAR AS HAVE YOU MORE PEOPLE RESEARCHED OUT SAYING, I LOST SOME OF MY EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

>> NOW I NEED TO FIND A JOB?

>> >> NO.

HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT AT ALL.

WE'RE ACTUALLY GETTING INTO THE OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, SLOWER MONTHS FOR ANYBODY LOOKING FOR WORK.

A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST KIND OF HOLD OFF.

LET'S JUST GET THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS.

DON'T WANT IT START A NEW JOB UNTIL THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER.

IT'S NOT ONLY WE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE THIS INFLUX OF PEOPLE COMING TO US, WE DON'T SEE IT.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET.

I'M NOT SURE WHEN WE'LL SEE IT.

AND THEN WE'RE HITTING OR HOLIDAYS WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE HUNKER DOWN AND DON'T LOOK TO SWITCH JOBS.

ONLY TIME WILL TELL WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> MORE LI HING MUI CANDIES AND LUMPIA FUNDRAISERS.

>> MORE DID DO THAT.

>> GETTING CREATIVE.

ALL OF THESE INSTAGRAM INFLUENCERS NOW, MAKE ALL THIS MONEY ONLINE.

EVERYONE HAS GOTTEN CREATIVE AND WE JUST PEOPLE WE USED TO HAVE.

KIND OF SCATTERED.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE THING.

>>Olena: SHERRY, ANOTHER QUESTION COMING OVER.

WHAT DOES THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THINK ABOUT RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE?

WILL BUSINESSES PUSH BACK AND WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> WE SUPPORT THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES PREVIOUSLY.

THIS PAST SESSION, WE ASKED THAT THEY DO NOT INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE BECAUSE OF THE PRECARIOUS SITUATION BUSINESSES WERE IN.

BUT I AGREE WITH NATE IN TERMS OF INCREASING WAGE.

AND I MEAN, INCREMENTAL.

WHEN WE ADDRESS THE COST OF LIVING ISSUE, MINIMUM WAGE IS JUST ONE ASPECT OF IT.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOLISTICALLY FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TO THE COST OF GOODS AND CHILD CARE.

SO MANY OTHER FACTORS THAT ARE DRIVING UP COST OF DOING OF LIVING.

AND SO IF WE LOOK AT IT HOLISTICALLY, THEN HOPEFULLY, WE CAN MOVE THE NEEDLE IN ADDRESSING COST OF LIVING.

>>Olena: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TOP TWO ISSUES BUSINESSES COME TO YOU OR SEEKING HELP WITH?

>> RIGHT NOW, DAY TO DAY.

WITH THESE NEW CHALLENGES MANDATE HOW DO THEY PIVOT QUICKLY, MATTER OF DAYS OR WEEKS SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM.

NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH.

SOME BUSINESSES ARE SMALL BUSINESSES, THEY'RE CHALLENGED ALREADY AND HOW DO YOU MANAGE RESOURCES ALREADY SCARCE AND IMPLEMENTING THESE TYPE OF PROGRAMS?

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE HEARING MORE AND MORE.

HOW DO WE MANAGE THAT AND HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT THEY CAN PIVOT SUCCESSFULLY.

>>Olena: PROBABLY ASKING YOU TO INTERPRET WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

HOW DO I DO THIS?

>> RIGHT.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS, THAT SPURRED US DO WEBINARS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU AS WELL AS OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE AGAIN BUSINESS WANT TO DO IT RIGHT.

AND SO HAVING THEM INFORMATION, QUESTIONS ANSWERED, OR ARE CRITICAL TO ENSURE THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROGRAMS.

>>Olena: FOR YOU, WHAT ARE THE TOP TWO CONCERNS YOU'RE HEARING FROM PEOPLE.

>> OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY.

TONS OF PEOPLE WE ALL KNOW THEM WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE THE STATE BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD.

EVEN HAVE PROBABLY A DECENT JOB HERE.

THEY'RE LIKE, THIS IS ISN'T THE LIFE I WAS ENVISIONING.

I HAVE TO LEAVE MY HOME.

SO YEAH, COST OF LIVING FOR SURE.

IS NUMBER ONE COMBINED WITH THE WAGE ISSUE.

THEN ALSO, HOUSING IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

PEOPLE ARE LIVING 3, 4 GENERATIONS TOGETHER IN A HOUSE.

AND BEING ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING THAT DECENT ENOUGH FOR THEIR HOUSE.

THAT IS YOU KNOW, NOT FALLING PART EITHER.

SO THOSE ARE THE MAIN ISSUES.

WAGES AND BEING ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

>>Olena: WHAT KIND OF TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE TRYING TO GET HIRED AND MAYBE JUST NOT FINDING VERY MUCH SUCCESS?

>> KIND OF WORKS MY ADVICE TO THEM IS ALSO TO ACTUAL BUSINESS.

SO WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE WORKFORCE THAT IS LOOKING FOR WORK, MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE JOB HUNT FOR YEARS.

MIGHT JUST BEEN LAID OFF OR LOOKING FOR CAREER CHANGE.

NOW, WITH EVERYTHING GOING DIGITAL, GETS A LITTLE HANDS OFF AND SOME PEOPLE GET REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT THAT.

I THINK SOMETIMES, WE DO LOSE APPLICANT.

EVERYTHING IS SO IMPERSONAL, ONLINE.

NO PERSONAL PHONE CALLS.

COVID ISSUES.

CAN'T WALK IN.

LEASH AND APPLICATION.

SO FOR THE APPLICANTS SIDE, EDUCATE.

SO MANY TUTORIALS ONLINE.

HE HELP YOU GET YOUR RESUME PUTTING TOGETHER CORRECTLY.

ONE OF THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY, HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, IS THAT GETTING THAT RESUME MAKING SURE WHAT IS ON THERE IS CORRECT AND TAKING OFF WHAT SHOULDN'T BE ON THERE.

GETTING YOUR DIGITAL PLATFORM AVAILABLE.

HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LOAD THOSE TWO DIFFERENT WEBSITES.

GET COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

ALSO DOING SOME DIFFERENT TRAVEL RUNS FOR ZOOM INTERVIEWS.

A LOT OF BUSINESSES RIGHT NOW ARE DOING ZOOM INTERVIEWS.

THAT CAN BE SUPERSCARY.

SO MANY THINGS CAN GO WRONG.

CHICKEN, DOG, BABY, SO MANY THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

JUST TRYING TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

APPLICANT AS SIDE, GET THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER.

MEANING RESUME, JUST PROFESSIONALLY GET READY FOR ZOOM INTERVIEW.

DO THE FOLLOW UP PHONE CALLS.

FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP.

MAKE SURE THAT THAT BUSINESS KNOWS THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED.

FLIP SIDE BUSINESSES DO NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBLE.

EVERYTHING IS ONLINE, CAN'T TAKE PHONE CALLS.

STRUGGLING TO FIND PEOPLE.

MAYBE THEY SWITCH IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

MAYBE ON FRIDAY, THEY DO COME IN GRAB AN APPLICATION.

FILL IT OUT.

MAIL IT TO US.

SO MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

>>Olena: YOU'RE A STAFFING COMPANY.

SO IF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR WORK, THEY COULD ALSO POTENTIALLY REACH OUT TO SIMILAR STAFFING COMPANIES?

>> OH, YES DEFINITELY.

GREAT STAFFING IN HAWAII.

PART OF THE TWO THINGS THAT WE'RE HEARING A LOT IS OUR HR EDITION, SIMPLICITY HR DIVISION IS THE CLIENT.

LOOKING FOR COVID RESOURCE.

HOW DO I NAVIGATE?

AT THE SAME TIME, PEOPLE OUT LEFT AND RIGHT.

STAFFING SIDE, STAFFING SERVICES IMPLEMENTING, LET ME HELP YOU OUT WITH THESE PEOPLE WHILE YOU TRY TO FIND PEOPLE ON YOUR OWN, PEOPLE OUT WITH COVID TEN DAYS.

CIRCLE WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF RESOURCE PEOPLE CAN TAP INTO.

>>Olena: LOTS OF QUESTIONS.

THAN YOU FOR CONTRIBUTING THIS EVENING.

HOW CAN THE STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS BETTER SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES IN THIS CLIMATE?

>> I'LL TAKE THAT.

I'M FROM HILO.

HILO GIRL.

WHEN THE STATE AS WELL AS THE COUNTIES RECEIVED CARES MONEY, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WAS INVOLVED IN HELP SHAPING SOME PROGRAMS, HAWAII RESTAURANT CARD.

HAWAII BUSINESS PIVOT PROGRAM, AND SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THESE KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES ESPECIALLY DURING FLUID SITUATION AND NOW, SECOND PHASE WAS ARPA FUNDS.

>> RESCUE ACT FUND.

COUNTIES WERE BEING GIVEN THESE FUNDS.

HOPEFULLY COUNTIES WILL USE A PORTION OF IT PROVIDE SMALL BUSINESS GRANT AS THE THEY DID WITH THE CARES MONIES.

HAVING GRANTS IS ONE ASPECT.

CONTINUED CHALLENGES THAT FACE BUSINESSES AND HAVING COUNTIES AND STATE RECOGNIZE THAT AND FINDING SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THAT IS HELPFUL.

WOULD BE HELPFUL.

THERE'S NOT JUST ONE SOLUTION.

FOR NATURAL ASPECT, OBVIOUSLY, VERY IMPORTANT.

FINANCIAL ASPECT.

>>Olena: ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO THOSE ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS?

>> AVAILABLE?

>>Olena: CHAMBER.

>> OH, YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

MEMBERSHIPS STATEWIDE AND ALSO CHAMBERS ON EACH ISLAND.

HAWAII ISLAND CHAMBER REPRESENTS HILO CONSTITUENCY.

REACH OUT TO THEM.

AND PROVIDE YOUR INPUT TOO.

IDEAS AS TO HOW STATE AND COUNTIES CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF COURSE, ALL DO OUR PART BY SUPPORTING LOCAL AS WELL.

>>Olena: DEFINITELY.

SOME BUSINESSES ARGUED IF THE MINIMUM IS INCREASED L HAVE TO LAY OFF WORKERS.

WHAT ARE BUSINESSES NEED TO HELP RAISE MINIMUM WAGE?

>> WELL, I THINK AGAIN, NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH.

SOME BUSINESSES ALREADY PAY AWAY ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE.

I KNOW MURF DOES.

I THINK WITH THE CHALLENGES ARE, INCREASING WAGES, OTHER FACTORS INVOLVED.

FOR EXAMPLE, PREPAID HEALTH CARE.

HAWAII OPEN STATE IN THE NATION THAT HAS PREPAID HEALTH CARE.

ONLY FACTOR IN WHAT THE ADDITIONAL COST IS, TO THE MINIMUM WAGE, IT ADDS ANOTHER FOUR MORE DOLLARS.

AND IT'S ALSO TIED TO PAYROLL TAX.

WORK COMP.

NOT WAGE ITSELF.

ADDITIONAL COSTS TIED TO MINIMUM WAGE.

BUSINESSES ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE TO INCREASE WAGE, PROVIDE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BENEFITS.

>> BEING PROVIDING FLEXIBILITY.

BECAUSE AGAIN, WE'RE ALL IN THIS PRECARIOUS SITUATION AND FLEXIBLE IS KEY TO ENSURE THAT THE EMPLOYEES ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

BUSINESSES CAN ALSO SURVIVE.

>>Olena: WE HAVE COMING OVER ONE OF OUR VIEWERS.

DO YOU BELIEVE OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS DESERVE A LIVING WAGE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ESSENTIAL WORKERS, ANY WORKERS.

WE ALL BELIEVE IN THAT.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS OUT THERE HOPING THAT FULL TIME WORKERS IMPOVERISHED LIVING ON THE STATE.

SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

COUNTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD.

HAWAII FOR EXAMPLE, HAS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WITH ALL THE TOURISM DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE COMING IN TO PROVIDE A GOOD LIFESTYLE FOR EVERYBODY.

>>Olena: WHAT IS A LIVING WAGE?

>> STATE STUDY, THAT CAME OUT I THINK IT'S ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO NOW.

ESTIMATES IT AT ABOUT A LITTLE OVER $17 AN HOUR.

MORE ABOUT $35,000 FOR A FULL YEAR.

>>Olena: OKAY.

SORRY NATE.

ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU.

HOW DO YOU CHANGE THE MINDSET OF PEOPLE TO NOT BE SO DEPENDENT ON THE STIMULUS CHECKS AND INSTEAD, FORMULATE PRIDE AND WORK?

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE VERY HAPPY TO WORK FOR JOBS.

WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY IS GOOD.

I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK A JOB THAT KEEPS THEM IN POVERTY.

I DON'T THINK THE ISSUE IS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT PRIDEFUL IN WHAT THEY DO.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT'S OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE THAT GIVE THEM A GREAT LIVELIHOOD.

>>Olena: I THINK THIS IS KIND A GOOD QUESTION FOR YOU.

FROM AIEA.

FROM T. THEY SAY, I'VE BEEN APPLYING TO DIFFERENT PLACES.

BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO HIRE ME BECAUSE I'M 70 PLUS YEARS OLD.

WILL BUSINESSES HIRE OLDER EMPLOYEES OR JUST YOUNGER ONES?

>> AGAINST THE LAW.

DEFINITELY DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AGE.

DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT BUSINESSES SHOULD NOT DO.

BUSINESSES SHOULD BE HIRING AND SCREENING AND RECRUITING AND INTERVIEWING AND MAKING DECISION BASED ON THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND THE QUALIFICATION OF THE PERSON.

SO THEY COULD BE 70 BUT THEY COULD BE A NURSE WHOLE LIFE AND NOW THEY WANT TO BE A OPERATOR.

NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU HAVE TO BE REALISTIC.

WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE IS.

AND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

MOST BUSINESSES RIGHT NOW ARE LOOKING FOR CURRENT WORK HISTORY.

IT'S SORT OF LIKE HIRE SOMEONE, WHO HAD 7 YEARS OF BUSINESS SCHOOL, OR BUSINESS ACTUAL JOB, RUNNING A BUSINESS, RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE, VERSUS SOMEONE STILL IN COLLEGE, HAS NO WORK HISTORY, WHICH ONE ARE YOU GOING TO HIRE?

PROBABLY THE ONE WITH THE WORK HISTORY THAT HAS STABILITY THAT YOU CAN PROVE WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

SO IF THAT 70 YEAR OLD UP AGAINST SOMEONE, DON'T HAVE WORK HISTORY.

NOT SO MUCH ABOUT AGE, EXPERIENCE LEVEL.

SKILL SET AND WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

SO DEFINITELY DON'T GIVE UP.

BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME POSITIONS OUT THERE FOR YOU.

>>Olena: DON, YOU WERE SAYING THAT IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT HARD BECAUSE YOU HAD TO PIVOT SO MUCH.

BUT THAT YOUR STAFF NOW.

HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT FINDING THOSE WORKERS AND LIKE WERE YOU TAKING OUT ADS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT?

WHAT WERE YOU LOOKING FOR?

>> PRIMARILY BACK OF THE HOUSE.

BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WE'VE ONLY HIRED ON SINCE PANDEMIC STARTED, ONE NEW EMPLOYEE.

ONE FILLED ONE FULL TIME POSITION.

BEEN A COUPLE THAT HAVE DONE DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR WHATEVER REASON.

SO WE WERE FORTUNATE THERE.

DIDN'T HAVE TO BRING IN A WHOLE BUNCH OF NEW PEOPLE.

LOST A FEW.

WENT FROM 44 FULL AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES TO 17.

>>Olena: WOW.

>> BUT THAT'S PART OF IT WAS WE WERE OPEN AT ONE TIME.

7 NIGHTS A WEEK.

FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

NOWS JUST FIVE DAYS FIVE NIGHTS OF THE WEEK BECAUSE OF WONDEROUT ESPECIALLY OF THE KITCHEN GUYS WORKING DOUBLE SHIFTS.

WE COULDN'T FIND ANYBODY.

>>Olena: SO YOU'RE STILL DOING THAT FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK OR FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

>> YEAH.

FIVE DAYS FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK.

>>Olena: IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM REST?

>> YEAH.

IT'S NOT JUST THE WORK THING.

THIS WHOLE THING WEARS ON EVERYONE MENTALLY AND AT HOME.

SO IT'S BEEN HARD ON A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>>Olena: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM STAN FROM AINA HAINA.

OPEN TO ANYBODY.

DOES THE PANEL HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED?

>> I WILL SAY THIS.

I WAS ACTUALLY, I'VE BEEN PLEASANTLY SURPRISED LAST WEEK WHEN MORE AND MORE BUSINESSES WERE SAYING WE HAVE TO GREAT JOB OPPORTUNITIES BUT YOU HAVE TO BE VACCINATED.

AND WE WOULD CALL ON OUR WORKERS, HEY, WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THIS IS THE PAY.

THIS IS IT.

YEAH, I'M INTERESTED.

WELL, YOU DO HAVE TO BE VACCINATED.

I'LL JUST GO GET IT I WANT TO BE WITH THAT COMPANY.

THAT WAS THEIR DECISION TO GET VACCINATED.

IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

COMPANY THAT THEY WANTED TO WORK FOR.

AND THAT WAS THE DECIDING FACTOR.

>> AND I JUST THOUGHT, THAT IS GREAT.

LET'S HAVE MORE OF THAT.

SO I THINK THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT MANDATORY I THINK.

IF PEOPLE WANT THOSE JOBS AND WANT TO WORK FOR THAT COMPANY, THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN.

>> AGREE.

I'M NOT A BELIEVE IN INCENTIVIZING.

GETTING A BONUS OR GIFTS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR DOING IT.

I THINK IT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE.

I THINK WE SHOULD ALL SHOULD RESPECT EVERYONE'S CHOICE AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

IN THE JOB MARKET, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO FIND WORK.

>>Olena: HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED THAT TOO, BUSINESSES TRYING TO DECIPHER HOW TO GO THROUGH THE VACCINATION PROTOCOLS AND THAT STUFF?

>> DEFINITELY.

WE'RE HEARING EVERY DAY.

AGAIN, WHEN I SAID IT SURVEY, 56% SAID THEY WOULD NOT IMPLEMENT VACCINATION PROGRAM.

BUT THERE ARE MORE AND MORE BUSINESSES NOW CONSIDERING IT JUST BECAUSE ONE, THEY WANT PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES.

AND THEIR CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS.

AND 2, PART OF BEING THIS COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION, WHICH IS TO INCREASE VACCINATION RATE, WE CAN GET TO BACK TO A LEVEL OF NORMALCY.

AND GET BACK TO ON TRACK.

GET OUR ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK.

SO WE'RE SEEING HEARING MORE AND MORE.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT SO MUCH WHY NOW.

IT'S THE HOW.

WITH THE ADDITIONAL SAFE ACCESS PROGRAM AND FEDERAL MANDATE, IT WILL INCREASE VACCINATION RATE.

ALSO LOOK AT THE COMMUNITIES AS WELL.

WHICH ONES HAVE LOWEST AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO SUPPORT THAT COMMUNITY AND INCREASE THE VACCINATION RATE.

>>Olena: YOU KNOW, WE DID ALSO HAVE A QUESTION FOR NATE THAT WAS TALKING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT INCREASING MINIMUM WAGE.

IT WAS KURT.

SENT IN AN EMAIL.

WAS SAYING THAT BUSINESSES ARE GOING THROUGH DIFFICULTIES BY INCREASING MINIMUM WAGE, REDUCE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE?

>> THE NICE THING IS WE HAVE STUDIES ACROSS THE NATION AND HERE IN HAWAII, SHOWING THAT THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE.

WHEN WE RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE GRADUALLY, IT BOOSTS OUR ECONOMY.

BOOSTS DEMAND FOR JOBS THAT PEOPLE HAVE MORE MONEY THEY CAN SPEND MORE.

DOES NOT REDUCE NUMBER OF JOBS WE'VE SEEN.

GREAT THING ABOUT THIS AS WELL.

>>Olena: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT INCREASING MINIMUM WAGE?

>> I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT AT ALL.

LIKE I SAID, I PAY ALL OF MY PEOPLE MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE INSTANCES WHERE SOME BUSINESSES CAN'T AFFORD IT.

SMALL MOM AND POP OPERATION.

BARELY GETTING BY.

ADJUST AND GET THROUGH IT.

I'M NOT OPPOSED INCREASING MINIMUM WAGE AT ALL.

>>Olena: HOW BIG A FACTOR IS PAY?

ARE PEOPLE SAYING, I WANT TO MAKE THIS MUCH?

>> BIG FACTOR.

SAW ALL OF OUR WAGES ACROSS ALL POSITIONS, CLERICAL, MEDICAL, TECHNICAL, INDUSTRIAL, INCREASED 7% IN THE LAST YEAR.

WE HAVE SEEN IT INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD.

IN AN AUDIT OF ALL OF OUR POSITIONS AND ALL OF THESE CLIENTS AT 7%.

PACE, PAY IS BIG THING.

WHERE WE STAND IS MINIMUM WAGE WAS ALWAYS BUILT TO BE YOUR FIRST STEP IN YOUR WORKFORCE.

HIGH SCHOOL KIDS.

IT WASN'T MEANT TO HAVE BE YOUR LIVING WAGE, TO HAVE A HOUSE AND HUSBAND AND A WIFE AND CHILD.

IT WAS REALLY MINIMUM WAGE JOBS IS YOUR ENTRY LEVEL POSITION.

THAT IS WAS WHAT IT WAS BUILT FOR.

BUT IN HAWAII, WITH THE JOB MARKET MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE ON THAT.

VERY DIFFICULT.

I HAVE TO SAY PROBABLY LAST FIVE YEARS, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY CLIENTS CALL ME AND SAY, THEY GOT MINIMUM WAGE.

MOST CLIENTS WE WORK WITH ACROSS THE BOARD, MINIMUM IS 12 AND UP.

IT'S SET STANDARD JUST YOU WANT DIFFERENT CALIBER OF PERSON.

YOU WANT TO INVEST IN THAT PERSON, YOU WANT THEM TO INVEST NEW, BY PAYING A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WE SEE THAT DIFFERENCE.

>>Olena: INTERESTING.

TO ME, I WAS JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS FROM YOUR STUDY IN MAY THAT YOU SAID MIRRORED IN JULY.

AS WELL.

86 BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS.

64% CONSIDERING RAISING WAGE AND OFFERING INCENTIVES WHICH WE SEE EVERYWHERE.

DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND YOU SEE, ZIPPY'S SAYING A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THIS AND THAT.

THEN 73% OF EMPLOYERS REPORTED THAT WORKER SHORTAGE IS PUTTING A STRAIN ON THE EXISTING EMPLOYEES.

SO OVERALL, TAXING ON THE BUSINESS, OTHER EMPLOYEES, AND OWNERS, AND SO OBVIOUSLY, THERE ISN'T GOING TO BE AN EASY WAY TO SOLVE ALL OF THIS.

BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MAY HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THESE NUMBERS?

>> I SEE A LOT TIED BACK TO THE CURRENT COMMISSION SITUATION.

ALSO VACCINATED TIED TO THE ECONOMIC SITUATION AS WELL.

UNTIL WE ADDRESS THESE AREAS, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIND CHALLENGES BECAUSE COVID HAS BROUGHT IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT ELEMENT TO THE PICTURE.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE AROUND FOR A WHILE, PRETTY SURE ABOUT THAT.

SEEN HOW DELTA JUST DISRUPTED ENTIRE RECOVERY PROCESS.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK THERE'S NO EASY SOLUTION TO IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE COLLECTIVE NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THAT.

>>Olena: NATE, WHAT KIND OF ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE THAT ARE SEEING THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUE?

>> ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HAWAII IS TOUGH.

WE ALL KNOW THAT.

I THINK COST OF LIVING HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES IN HAWAII FOR DECADES.

CLEARLY, IT HASN'T BEEN SOLVED TODAY.

NOT GOING TO BE A SHORT TERM ISSUE WE CAN SOLVE.

BUT IN COVID HAS EXACERBATED PROBLEM FOR SURE.

I THINK WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND TAKE A COLLECTIVE PLAN FORWARD OVER THE NEXT FIVE, TEN, 15 YEARS TO MAKE SURE THIS IS A SUSTAINABLE PLACE FOR ALL OF US.

>>Olena: HAVE YOU HAD ANY SUCCESS STORIES OR ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN SHARE?

>> THERE ARE TON OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FORTUNATELY BEEN ABLE TO FIND HIGHER PAYING JOBS.

SIGNIFICANT LARGER NUMBER OF STORIES OF PEOPLE GIVING UP AND MOVING TO THE MAINLAND.

>> SAYING HEY, I CAN'T DO IT ANY MORE.

TRIED.

PUT MY BEST FOOT FORWARD.

LEAVE THE PLACE THAT I LOVE.

I THINK TIME IS WELL PAST THAT WE MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO END THIS CRISIS IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING LEFT AND RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD.

>>Olena: DON SOUNDS LIKE YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE PRETTY HAPPY.

GOOD AMOUNT OF THEM.

>> MAYBE.

>>Olena: WHAT IS IT YOU'RE DOING THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM?

>> YOU KNOW, JUST TRY TO REALIZE THAT I THINK WORK AND THE EMPLOYEES, OR EMPLOYEES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE WORK SOMETIMES.

REALLY HAVE TRIED TO HELP A LOT OF THEM.

HELPED A LOT OF THEM THE YEARS.

HELPED US.

BEEN FANTASTIC FOR US.

WHEN THIS WHOLE THING STARTED, THEY ALL GOT TOGETHER AND CAME TO SAID, WE'LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

TELL US WHAT TO DO.

WE HAD PEOPLE THAT WERE MAKING VERY GOOD MONEY.

WAITERS AND WAITRESS.

BUT THEN THERE WAS NO INCENTIVE, NO DINING, DOING TAKEOUT.

SO YOU JUST DO WHAT YOU CAN AND TRY TO, IT'S JUST IMPORTANT THAT YOU MAKE THEIR LIVES GOOD, TO ME.

IT COMES BACK.

>>Olena: SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE PART OF THE FAMILY.

>> YEAH.

FAMILY ALWAYS HAD DISPUTES TOO.

WORKS OUT GREAT.

WE'RE VERY HAPPY.

VERY FORTUNATE.

>>Olena: SHERRY, LASTLY.

WHAT KIND OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE TO BUSINESSES THAT SAY THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS?

>> GOSH.

WHAT KIND OF ADVICE.

AGAIN, LOOKING MORE BROADLY, WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS FOCUS ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY EFFORTS AND DOING OUR PART.

IN ADDRESSING THAT.

AND THEN BALANCING THAT WITH PRETTY MUCH COLLECTIVE EFFORT IN FINDING WAYS TO ATTRACT THEM, ONE, AND FINDING WAYS TO RETAIN THEM.

GOES BACK TO WHAT SHERRY SAID.

>>Olena: WE'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF TIME.

WE APPRECIATE YOU.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAWAII SHERRY MENOR MCNAMARA, AND THE DIRECTOR OF LIVING WAGE HAWAII NATE HIX.

OWNER OF MURPHY’S BAR AND GRILL DON MURPHY, AND VIA ZOOM, INDUSTRIAL MANAGER AT ALTRES STAFFING SHANI BRYANT, NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT HAWAII’S INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M OLENA HEU FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I.

ALOHA!