Strike at HHV started today, 9/24

[Tamaradarann]

There is so much better food within 10 minutes walking distance of the village, and if cooking then a trip to Ala Moana center is very useful for getting a more robust grocery selection.

I agree with the thought about the 10 minute walk for better and lower priced food than from the village. Since we live in Waikiki and don't have a car we shop mostly at Walmart and Sam's for our groceries and eat most of our meals at home. However when we eat out we have dined within walking distance or short bus ride at so many places that are better than the village.

 

[Tamaradarann]

I struggled with Oahu a lot until I was finally able to fall in love with it over the pandemic. The key is getting out of Waikiki for a day or two.

We get out of Waikiki all the time. We went to a play at Dole Canery yesterday and will be going to Beer Lab on Beretania for some 9.7% Imperial Porter today both by bus. They are about 1.5-3.0 miles away.

 

[brp]

I struggled with Oahu a lot until I was finally able to fall in love with it over the pandemic. The key is getting out of Waikiki for a day or two.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I do like it. Went maybe 12 years ago and it was too much Waikiki and I did not like the place. This trip was 2 weeks and we got out of Waikiki enough (and even hung around a bit to chill) and liked it a lot better. Still about my fourth favorite of the main islands. But a closer fourth than it used to be

Cheers.

 

[alwysonvac]

Arrived today at the Grand Islander.
The wait for check-in was longer than normal.
Yes, you can hear the striking workers loud and clear.

 

[h2oflyboy]

We left on 9/21 - Brothers & Sisters, I stand with you!

 

[amycurl]

@alwaysonvac, did you have to cross the picket line to check-in?


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[alwysonvac]

@alwaysonvac, did you have to cross the picket line to check-in?

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No

The picketers are set up at the main hotel entrance at the intersection of Kalia Road and Rainbow Drive which leads to the hotel main lobby

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a mix use of hotel and timeshare towers. The timeshare towers have a separate lobby/checkin area. Lagoon Tower, Grand Waikikian and Grand Islander don't use that hotel entrance.

We did walk alongside the picketers on Kalia Road last night on our way from the Grand Islander to the local store and back. The picketers are peaceful but loudly chant (megaphone, drummers, etc). It's 7:45pm HT and the loud shouting and chants have been ongoing since 7am HT.

We haven't walked around the village so I don't know if there are picketers elsewhere.

 

[Tamaradarann]

No

The picketers are set up at the main hotel entrance at the intersection of Kalia Road and Rainbow Drive which leads to the hotel main lobby

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a mix usage of hotel and timeshare towers. The timeshare towers have a separate lobby/checkin area. Lagoon Tower, Grand Waikikian and Grand Islander don't use that hotel entrance.

We did walk alongside the picketers on Kalia Road last night on our way from the Grand Islander to the local store and back. The picketers are peaceful but loudly chant (megaphone, drummers, etc). It's 7:45pm HT and the loud shouting and chants have been ongoing since 7am HT.

View attachment 100188

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I love the picture of the buildings it shows where we live right by the caption that says Hawaiian Condo Resorts Inc.

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

A day or two? How about everyday if possible I love Oahu!!! But I do like Big Island better. And any Hawaiian Island is better than where I am right now.

Great3

Ive never been to any Hawaiian Island but I'm greatly interested in how different it is from Florida. I mean im sure obviously leaps and bounds different but...

You just dont know until you KNOW.....

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

I love the picture of the buildings it shows where we live right by the caption that says Hawaiian Condo Resorts Inc.

OMG!!! Life in Hawaii!! Im sure its everything we dream of until we see the mortgage bill...

Wake up real fast

 

[rc51]

Ive never been to any Hawaiian Island but I'm greatly interested in how different it is from Florida. I mean im sure obviously leaps and bounds different but...

You just dont know until you KNOW.....

It's true, you don't until you experience it for yourself. But just off the top, it's a wildly different culture and is in the tropics, which brings its own unique and fun weather things. Totally worth going if you haven't been.

 

[brp]

It's true, you don't until you experience it for yourself. But just off the top, it's a wildly different culture and is in the tropics, which brings its own unique and fun weather things. Totally worth going if you haven't been.

It's geologically like a different planet compared to Florida. Swamp and fill versus volcanic extrusion. That alone is enough reason to go. The cultural and culinary differences are a big add as well. The vibe is just different. That's hard to put into words unless one is Robert Frost, so you just have to go.

Cheers.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Ive never been to any Hawaiian Island but I'm greatly interested in how different it is from Florida. I mean im sure obviously leaps and bounds different but...

You just dont know until you KNOW.....

Well all the islands are beautiful and different. We love Honolulu since we can stay and live here without a car and get around by walking and taking the very inexpensive bus anywhere we want to go. We loved Miami South Beach until we came here in 2007 and the Waikiki/Honolulu blows Miami South Beach away. So if you like the Miami Beach vibe you will love it here in Honolulu. The other islands are great and we are going to Maui next week for a little trip. You need a car on the other islands.

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

I love the beach tropics all over the world, I live about 20 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico so I can get to a beach, but not all beaches are created equal..... Fort Myers Beach and Siesta key are on 2 different planets, maybe less than 100 miles of beach away from each other.

Water is different, the sand is different....

Its so hard to actually say I'm going to leave a beach to go see another beach But if fate gave me a reason to go Then Hawaii here i come!

I used to want to work for HGV in a place like Hawaii, Australia, Maldives, Tonga, New Zealand, JAPAN whatever..... But this strike got me wondering if all isnt what it seems in paradise.

I know what it feels like to work in a very high wealth affluent area yet make minimum wage.

I'm still trying to figure out how people can afford a $450,000 home yet the average job wants to pay $16 an hour.... I dont wanna get political but I'm just saying.....

I understand and sympathize with these workers!

 

[Tamaradarann]

OMG!!! Life in Hawaii!! Im sure its everything we dream of until we see the mortgage bill...

Wake up real fast

We don't have a mortgage but we have what is called Leasehold which is much less expensive to buy. Real Estate is very expensive here so we decided we didn't want to buy Fee Simple and use up our savings or have a huge mortagae. But you do have a lease to pay on the land as well as a maintenance fee. We also only own the unit until 2069. We won't be here then.

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

Well all the islands are beautiful and different. We love Honolulu since we can stay and live here without a car and get around by walking and taking the very inexpensive bus anywhere we want to go. We loved Miami South Beach until we came here in 2007 and the Waikiki/Honolulu blows Miami South Beach away. So if you like the Miami Beach vibe you will love it here in Honolulu. The other islands are great and we are going to Maui next week for a little trip. You need a car on the other islands.

OOOOOF South beach is a HUGEEEEEEEEEEE no no for me!!!

You could give me a place on south beach, Miami in general! DONT WANT IT

Im always more of a fan of Hollywood, Aventura, West Palm... Ft Lauderdale. The traffic is still a little nuts but in my limited opinion I feel that the other cities offer just as much to do, and it's more spread out so everyone is not congregating in the same popular spots.

Buca di Beppo is AN ABSOLUTE ADDICTION and they closed the ones in Naples and Fort Myers so the closest is Davie

The Diplomat in Hollywood is my home away from home!

 

[Tamaradarann]

OOOOOF South beach is a HUGEEEEEEEEEEE no no for me!!!

You could give me a place on south beach, Miami in general! DONT WANT IT

Im always more of a fan of Hollywood, Aventura, West Palm... Ft Lauderdale. The traffic is still a little nuts but in my limited opinion I feel that the other cities offer just as much to do, and it's more spread out so everyone is not congregating in the same popular spots.

Buca di Beppo is AN ABSOLUTE ADDICTION and they closed the ones in Naples and Fort Myers so the closest is Davie

The Diplomat in Hollywood is my home away from home!

From you thoughts about the other areas of Florida and that you like and that South Beach is not the place for you I can tell that you are a car oriented vacationer. We were also until we went to South Beach for the first time in 2001 WITHOUT A CAR. It is a totally different type of vacation. You walk outside to go food shopping, you walk to the beach, you walk down the boardwalk, you walk to restaurants, you don't worry about drinking and driving(We don't drink and drive, but we do drink). You walk instead of getting in a car to drive somewhere. Not better just different. Traffic is not a problem for us in South Beach or in Honolulu; neither is parking or the cost of a rent a car. We are going to Maui next week, Hawaii Island in December, and Kauai in May and will have a car each time. That is what you need to do on those islands, but not in Honolulu or South Beach.

 

[Tamaradarann]

I love the beach tropics all over the world, I live about 20 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico so I can get to a beach, but not all beaches are created equal..... Fort Myers Beach and Siesta key are on 2 different planets, maybe less than 100 miles of beach away from each other.

Water is different, the sand is different....

Its so hard to actually say I'm going to leave a beach to go see another beach But if fate gave me a reason to go Then Hawaii here i come!

I used to want to work for HGV in a place like Hawaii, Australia, Maldives, Tonga, New Zealand, JAPAN whatever..... But this strike got me wondering if all isnt what it seems in paradise.

I know what it feels like to work in a very high wealth affluent area yet make minimum wage.

I'm still trying to figure out how people can afford a $450,000 home yet the average job wants to pay $16 an hour.... I dont wanna get political but I'm just saying.....

I understand and sympathize with these workers!

You mention living 20 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico to go the the beach. That is driving. Vacationing in Honolulu you are usually only about 5-10 minute walk to the beach. That is one of the advantages of being in Honolulu. Also we are not here because the beach is so close it is a great lifestyle weather wise with warm whether year round and very little rain. Furthermore, we are very busy going to shows and concerts. We went to a play last Sunday will be seeing the Honeymoon in Las Vegas Musical this Sunday(getting to both by Bus) and will be walking to the Blue Note right down the street to see Tito Fuentes Jr. in a musical concert tomorrow night.

 

[Tamaradarann]

@alwaysonvac, did you have to cross the picket line to check-in?


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Not only don't you need to cross a picket line but crossing it is no big deal. You can get to the front desk by cab without crossing a pickety line. There are picket lines all around the HHV and I walk thru them and by them everyday. They are extremely peaceful just looking for their fair share of all the money that Hilton brings in from the expensive rates that they charge guests.

I went to the front desk today at the Grand Waikikian and they are closed until noon. I guess the management workers don't want to work the front desk 24 hours a day replacing the desk associates.

If you want to check in you need to wait until management comes in. I feel for the lower management employees as well as the workers. Hilton Executive Management wants to keep their bottom line good which their raises and bonuses depend.

I wonder how the difference in income versus the difference in cost is doing during this period. I guess if Hilton is still getting great income with much reduced cost this is an Executive Management windfall. They may want to stay this way!! We have a friend who is in Lower management at the Grand Waikikian who says she is dying with the number of hours and the amount of work that needs to be done without staff. Perhaps lower management needs to quit and have the Executive Management come and work the front desk and clean a few rooms to get their attention.

 

[brp]

Im always more of a fan of Hollywood, Aventura, West Palm... Ft Lauderdale. The traffic is still a little nuts but in my limited opinion I feel that the other cities offer just as much to do, and it's more spread out so everyone is not congregating in the same popular spots.

We have family in Pompano. I get it. Even Ft. Lauderdale is too big now

Cheers.

 

[brp]

As for the strike, I was in SF yesterday and the Hilton and Westin St. Francis were having strikes, and I see what @alwysonvac was talking about. It was midday, but a lot of noise with horns and banging drum objects. Quite loud. Not sure they're winning people to their side with this.

Cheers.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

I guess if Hilton is still getting great income with much reduced cost this is an Executive Management windfall. They may want to stay this way!! We have a friend who is in Lower management at the Grand Waikikian who says she is dying

I guess that is sarcasm, but the last part explains the problem. Everyone in lower mgmt will quit before long if it continues. Then Upper mgmt will be Lower mgmt and they'll be emptying the trash and getting calls about dishwashers nt working

 

[Tamaradarann]

I guess that is sarcasm, but the last part explains the problem. Everyone in lower mgmt will quit before long if it continues. Then Upper mgmt will be Lower mgmt and they'll be emptying the trash and getting calls about dishwashers nt working

Emptying Trash is easy and simple. However, cleaning and making up a Timeshare or Hotel Room when someone leaves is not easy or simple. There is alot to do and at Hiltons a manager checks to make sure it is totally OK. If managers are doing the work do they know what needs to be done? (they may not be housekeeping managers they could manage other duties) Who is going to check their work?

Dishwashers not working is not a problem maintenance is not on strick just housekeeping and front desk.

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

From you thoughts about the other areas of Florida and that you like and that South Beach is not the place for you I can tell that you are a car oriented vacationer. We were also until we went to South Beach for the first time in 2001 WITHOUT A CAR. It is a totally different type of vacation. You walk outside to go food shopping, you walk to the beach, you walk down the boardwalk, you walk to restaurants, you don't worry about drinking and driving(We don't drink and drive, but we do drink). You walk instead of getting in a car to drive somewhere. Not better just different. Traffic is not a problem for us in South Beach or in Honolulu; neither is parking or the cost of a rent a car. We are going to Maui next week, Hawaii Island in December, and Kauai in May and will have a car each time. That is what you need to do on those islands, but not in Honolulu or South Beach.

I just don't like the amount of people, I don't like not knowing what your intentions are in such a crowded area, I mean it's great that there's so much available in a small area but that also is the reason I would prefer to drive to a place that is less crowded and off the beaten path. Ive never been a "Big City" girl. It's not even that im too good to walk places, but I want to walk, and not be SOOO worried about the people around me. Even simply trying to get through crowds, its the most nerve racking, panic attack inducing thing I go through in my daily life and its enough to make me use the word HATE .... I HATE IT.

I've always just been a fan of places that have things to do but isnt the ultimate metropolitan major area in a place. No Los Angeles, No Vegas, No NYC for me. Im lucky I go to Orlando every once in a while. Tampa is a great example of the perfect amount of stuff to do, without being overrun with activities. And it's spread out so everything isnt clustered in one major area.

Of course this is just my experience with how I like to travel and all travel is valid! Thank you for sharing your point of view with me and thank you for allowing me to share mine I dont mean to change the trajectory of this post.

Going back to the original topic, has there been any changes for the strikers? As an employee of HGV I'm quite interested as to how this all started. Im going to look for some of the articles to be more informed.

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

Not only don't you need to cross a picket line but crossing it is no big deal. You can get to the front desk by cab without crossing a pickety line. There are picket lines all around the HHV and I walk thru them and by them everyday. They are extremely peaceful just looking for their fair share of all the money that Hilton brings in from the expensive rates that they charge guests.

I went to the front desk today at the Grand Waikikian and they are closed until noon. I guess the management workers don't want to work the front desk 24 hours a day replacing the desk associates.

If you want to check in you need to wait until management comes in. I feel for the lower management employees as well as the workers. Hilton Executive Management wants to keep their bottom line good which their raises and bonuses depend.

I wonder how the difference in income versus the difference in cost is doing during this period. I guess if Hilton is still getting great income with much reduced cost this is an Executive Management windfall. They may want to stay this way!! We have a friend who is in Lower management at the Grand Waikikian who says she is dying with the number of hours and the amount of work that needs to be done without staff. Perhaps lower management needs to quit and have the Executive Management come and work the front desk and clean a few rooms to get their attention.

Sadly I have experienced this sometimes. I was a hostess at a restaurant in a Hilton. Host is literally the easier position in the entire hotel. It was pulling teeth to get someone (usually a manager) to simply stand at the podium so I could use the restroom or go eat lunch.

Then again my first ever hotel I worked as Front Desk Agent, the General Manager himself knew how to (and would if the situation called for) expertly perform every position in the hotel. Like any job, I think it also comes down to who your management is. I know these GMs don't control the pay, but even the difference in what they were WILLING to do, between Manager example 1 and Manager example 2 I gave, I would go back to Manager 2 any day of the week, even though it was a Hampton Inn.