It appears that our legislators may pass a woefully inadequate bill to raise the minimum wage to $12.50 an hour by 2024. To quote Kim Coco Iwamoto in a recent commentary: “It is not sustainable, not ‘self sufficient,’ and definitely not a living wage” (“Livable wage can sustain our economy,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, March 31).

Sherry Menor-McNamara, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, said in her recent commentary, “Minimum wage is not meant to be a living wage” (“Minimum wage hike has major costs,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, March 3).

Apparently it does not concern the Chamber of Commerce that a low-wage earner in high-cost Hawaii cannot earn enough money to pay for rent and other basic needs. Is it any wonder that more and more of the working poor are forced to live in their cars or on the streets?

Passage of a bill to raise the minimum wage to $12.50 an hour by 2024 will only ensure that the working poor will remain mired in poverty. Will our legislators have the courage, compassion and sense of community to pass a minimum wage of $15 an hour or more?

Leonard Lepine

Kailua

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