Hopes for a short hotel strike

Joining forces with union counterparts in Boston, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, San Diego and Detroit, thousands of workers at Marriott-operated hotels in Waikiki and on Maui launched a strike Monday under the nationwide group’s slogan: “One Job Should be Enough.”

Employment contact negotiations, which started in June, have stalled as workers seek a wage increase of $3 an hour while the company’s offer has so far topped out at a 70-cent increase an hour to be divided between wages and benefits. The picket line has already muddled some guest amenities, from restaurant service to room cleaning.

Here’s hoping for quick resolution that both respects the needs of workers and gets business back on track.

Raised eyebrows over ICA pick

The issues were far more heated for Brett Kavanaugh, of course, but Hawaii has its own, scaled-down judicial drama over Keith Hiraoka, tapped by Gov. David Ige for the state Intermediate Court of Appeals.

The issue: Hiraoka is Ige’s longtime friend and former campaign manager. Can he be impartial on the ICA?

Much of the criticism comes from across the aisle, led by Republican gubernatorial challenger Andria Tupola. Will the Democrats in the Senate who must confirm Hiraoka be as skeptical?

It seems unlikely. But we’ll see.