Ilikai employees fear for future - Hawaii News

[Manapua Belly]

All pau!!!!!!!!

[Kimo]

"Anekona bought 343 units in 2006, intending to renovate the hotel into a luxury property."
It was never the intention of Anekona to create a luxury hotel, per se! That thought came about as a result of the failed condominium market, thus Anderson sold-off the condo-units that had Kitchens and thus were saleable...
THE UNION made it impossible for any Hotelier to operate the hotel profitably, because of the huge benefit packages and expenses, such as "Switchboard Operator's," that cost over $100K/month, etc... The Union was not concerned about the employees--they simply wanted to maintain control of another hotel contract. When iSTAR sells it's interest in the hotel--and it will sell--the new buyer will still have to contend with the existing Union Contract. Thus, no respectable/noteable hotel company/operator will touch the property until THE UNION issue is resolved. So, I say to THE UNION--who hold the present emplyoees in bondage:"Let my people go..!" If the Union cancelled the existing contract--all of these employees would still have jobs and their present pay and the hotel would be operating today! So, is THE UNION truly benevolent? Show us you care about the employees and the hotel and WALK AWAY! Otherwise, don't blame a lender who inherited the hotel by default of a loan! Blame the BOZO who created the mess: ANDERSON, and now LOCAL 5! That's the reality and truth of the situation! Unfortunately, the majority of those employees you see marching in front of the Ilikai are functionally illiterate and don't have a clue they are being used by LOCAL 5 for the benefit of LOCAL 5 and it's need to pretend they care about those employees! Now, let's see LOCAL 5 take care of those employees and pay for that poor woman's husband's medication, etc..; SOB, SOB, SOB, ad naseam! IT'S ALL A CHARADE!

[Kimo]

Active condo owners wrote:

The Ilikai is a mixed-ownership project. 683 out of 1009 condos there are owned by individual owners. A lot of them are very active and mobilized. They even have an active website:
www.ilikaiowners.com
iStar or anyone would have to deal with them, too.

Yes, and while their medications may keep them scooting around the property like rabid squirrels in a barrel--they would all object to anything and everything, even if a new hotel owner paid for the upgrades to their units and common areas, because they may have to pay 2cents more on their property taxes. Let's face it, who is going to argue with multiple personality dementia? Even if you got verbal agreement at 10AM--BY NOON, they wouldn't remember who you are..! GEVALT!

[Ted Nugent Nation]

Kona Guy wrote:

America is the home of the brave and land of the fee.
Things that are privileges, not rights:
- Owning/renting a home
- Healthcare
- a job
Of course, I'm speaking as one of those monied living-behind-a-gate people. But I didn't inherit money or win a lottery. My "luck" was preparedness plus opportunity.

----------
Right on, and good for you. Plus, what's this guy doing holding on to 75 vacation days? I suppose he was going to retire soon and get these days paid for, but, sheesh, take a vacation dude.

[coffee beans]

and the numbers keep rising with no end insight
it's starting to get a little scary
times just bought out star markets
hmmmmmm does star have automated meat wrapping machines?

[shelleybelly]

bunch of crap for the employees

[Manoa]

Who would want to start up a new hotel now when business is so bad and all it would do is lose money? Would the union workers want to contribute all their savings and pensions into buying the hotel knowing they would not be able to pay themselves even minimum wage?

What we need to hope is someone will come along rich enough to have the money plus the guts to take a chance and buy the hotel from istar which is reallly just a bank that got burned as much as the union is. They may be able to trim the staff and cut expenses enough to make a go of it and throw their money into it. This is a hobby hotel and not a business.

[Wildman]

Hey ilikai..thanks for the memories!...did back up in the 70's for a rock band that filled in one nite and packed the house!...at the ol' canoe club.

[hokuhema]

When I worked for Star in South Carolina at the Westin Hotel in Hilton Head,and I'm one to tell you Star is all about money and not it employees if you've been thinking they'll help well that won't happen,just read there page on their site they talk of Dignity and helping the People that work there that make the Hotel a place of Family,well they (Star)is all about Money.

[hokuhema]

By the way I Manage at Ilikai at the Old Canoe House when the McDonald's had it as a Jazz Club and I can remember going to the Top of Ilikai,and visiting Rene Paulo downunder,those were the days.

[Kalani from Hilo]

realmerv wrote:

Seeing the demonstrators would scare any hotel owner from keeping the hotel open and having to deal with militant union workers. I don't think it helps their cause.
They demonstrated earlier when the hotel units were being foreclosed upon and it was a stupid thing to do then. What bidder would want to deal with workers like that? It is no wonder the new owners are laying off the workers. Besides losing hundreds of thousands of dollars each month, they are probably thinking of ways to avoid dealing with the militant hotel workers.
The new owners should sell the units off as condo units so they don't have to deal with militant union hotel workers.

Did you actually WATCH the video with the story?? There were NO "militant" hotel workers. They marched rather peacefully as best as I could tell. I'm NOT a union supporter, but I do feel badly for these people who lost the jobs, including earned vacation etc, with only a few days notice.
I hope the Ilikai can re-open at some point (unionized or non-unionized) because she is one of the few old grande dame hotels left in Honolulu. I can remember going to the Canoe House many many years ago.

[Wildman]

hokuhema wrote:

By the way I Manage at Ilikai at the Old Canoe House when the McDonald's had it as a Jazz Club and I can remember going to the Top of Ilikai,and visiting Rene Paulo downunder,those were the days.

Then you do remember a local group playing their at one time as a debute..that later became the top band in Waikiki called...The Glass Candle?....

[coffee beans]

i remember mcgarrett on the penthouse lanai

[oh boy]

hokuhema wrote:

When I worked for Star in South Carolina at the Westin Hotel in Hilton Head,and I'm one to tell you Star is all about money and not it employees if you've been thinking they'll help well that won't happen,just read there page on their site they talk of Dignity and helping the People that work there that make the Hotel a place of Family,well they (Star)is all about Money.

What? iStar is a commercial real estate investment company. They are not in the business of operating hotels. Take your BS elsewhere.

[hokuhema]

Wildman wrote:

<quoted text>
Then you do remember a local group playing their at one time as a debute..that later became the top band in Waikiki called...The Glass Candle?....

yes I do----where you stay now and what you doing my brahda played with Cystal Clear at the Point After......Little Kimo aka

[Listener]

For the Ilikai employees, all you have to do is vote NO for the Union. The Unions are creating ALL
these problems by making you paying UNION DUES. While Ilikai is having fanacial troubles, another one is to follow, it is a tricky move in the first place when the Unions tried to suck you in be saying
"why the hotel is making the money and not you" Where are those DUES the unions been collecting from you? The same is going on with the States. Lingle said we are $900 millions defecit. The unions
started to blame Lingle for not seeing that 2-years ago. Well two years ago the Unions were busy Collecting and using your dues for the next politician. Get out of the unions and you will do just fine.

[Copius231]

Manoa wrote:

Who would want to start up a new hotel now when business is so bad and all it would do is lose money? Would the union workers want to contribute all their savings and pensions into buying the hotel knowing they would not be able to pay themselves even minimum wage?
What we need to hope is someone will come along rich enough to have the money plus the guts to take a chance and buy the hotel from istar which is reallly just a bank that got burned as much as the union is. They may be able to trim the staff and cut expenses enough to make a go of it and throw their money into it. This is a hobby hotel and not a business.

The unions would have no idea about how to run a hotel. Rather, they are in the business of making money from hard working, everyday people. It is like an additional tax if you really think about it. Trying to dictate how a private business is run is simply arrogant - nothing more. Times have changed and unions have become unecessary and nithing more than bacon. Workers should be appreciative of what they get. After all, you are hired based on your "qualifications." The hotel workers should be happy with their pay and benefits. Unfortunately, it took something like this unfortunate economy to make many realize this.

[Copius231]

Kalani from Hilo wrote:

<quoted text>
Did you actually WATCH the video with the story?? There were NO "militant" hotel workers. They marched rather peacefully as best as I could tell. I'm NOT a union supporter, but I do feel badly for these people who lost the jobs, including earned vacation etc, with only a few days notice.
I hope the Ilikai can re-open at some point (unionized or non-unionized) because she is one of the few old grande dame hotels left in Honolulu. I can remember going to the Canoe House many many years ago.

While this situation is an unfortunate one, walking out in front of the hotel like a bunch of robots is the result of union brainwashing. The union's job is to make you believe that you are "owed" something rather than achieving based on "merit." It has become a ridiculous concept. Scab off of the owners risk, venture.

[Stumpy]

Remember, you voted for Obama and he said he's going to fix everything. Between him and Mufi you guys will be back on top in not time. For the next four years, Just remember to click your heels together and keep chanting, "It's Bushe's fault, it's Bushes fault, it's Bushe's fault."

[Alcohol]

Copius231 wrote:

<quoted text>
While this situation is an unfortunate one, walking out in front of the hotel like a bunch of robots is the result of union brainwashing. The union's job is to make you believe that you are "owed" something rather than achieving based on "merit." It has become a ridiculous concept. Scab off of the owners risk, venture.

That's the risk of venturing into the hotel business. But you can't afford a maid and valet if you can't even pay the mortgage.
These owners and venture capitalists are scum.
All these UNION workers should behave in the same way. Stop paying all their mortgages and loans immediately. Let the lender handle all your problems.
Don't use your savings!!!!!