HONOLULU (KHON2) – Hawaiian hotels average 50% occupancy, although visitor numbers continue to rise.
Those numbers aren’t enough to get all hotel workers on leave back to work, but those in work say they could use more help.
Get the latest Hawaiian news delivered to your inbox. Click here to login to News 2 you, a daily newsletter.
Many Hawaii hotel properties have reopened, but not all employees are back to work. Julie Gabot has been housekeeping at Sheraton Waikiki for more than 30 years. She says her workload has increased.
“We were asked to do everything we can to do our best to finish the rooms,” said Gabot. “But we told them that it is difficult because we have to fix everything, we have to clean all areas with high touch.”
Free COVID-19 testing is available to all Oahu hospitality workers
The housekeepers take longer to clean the rooms because the housekeepers don’t clean them daily due to the COVID-19 social distancing protocols. Under Sheraton Waikiki’s collective bargaining agreement with Local Five, housekeepers cannot be penalized for not completing their rooms.
Gabot said, “Sometimes I even ask my housekeepers to help remove the trash because it is very difficult for me to clean the room. I can’t finish all of my rooms.”
The Hawaiian hotel industry is struggling to bring workers back
Other grocery, beverage, valet and bellhop positions remain understaffed in some hotels.
American Hotel and Lodging Association spokesman Kekoa McClellan says more vacancies will be filled as occupancy increases.
He says that not all travelers choose to stay in hotels.
“When we look at how we’re getting our employees back, it really has to do with how and when we’re getting our guests back,” said McClellan. “One of the unfortunate side effects of the pandemic has been the lack of focus on enforcing illegal short-term rentals in our communities.”
McClellan calls for stronger law enforcement to curb illegal stays.
The American Hotel and Lodging Association says departments like Food and Beverage will raise employment levels once conventions and large groups return.
