I spoke to Cade Watanabe from Unite Here Local 5 this afternoon about the ongoing contract negotiations affecting the four Sheraton hotels in Waikiki and the Hilton Hawaiian Village. These are some of the largest hotels in Hawaii and they employ, between them, roughly 4,100 workers. Although Cade would not disclose any specific strike date or strike targets, I got the distinct impression that they were nearing the end of their rope in negotations. in part because so many hotel unions on the mainland had already settled. So keep your eyes and ears open if you are going to the islands as this could definitely interrupt your stay. Strikes are rare due to the mutually assured destruction factor -- neither hotels nor workers can afford it. However, the issues at hand are long-term, including health insurance for retirees and other fiscal backbreakers. Stay tuned.

—Alex, 09/19/06