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TheBuzz
Erika Engle
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Competing employers benefit job seekers
IT'S often upon leaving a job that someone checks out early, on vacation -- not right after getting hired. Nevertheless, the owners of Holokai Grill hope to entice employees to take a job and take vacation before starting work.
The 152-seat Holokai Grill, set to open in Waikiki Beach Walk next month, is the sister restaurant to Tiki's Grill and Bar, which is where applications are being accepted and interviews, conducted, Tuesday through Friday.
Restaurants, retailers and hotels are opening or soon will open in Waikiki Beach Walk and elsewhere -- and the companies are in fierce competition for employees at a crazy-busy time of year, in a squeaky-tight labor market.
Some offer referral bonuses to existing employees who recruit new blood.
Some pay more than minimum wage for new hires and still others take a longer-term view toward employee longevity.
Starbucks Coffee blends its benefits, offering $8 an-hour starting pay on Oahu and $9 on the neighbor islands, where hiring is even tougher, said Brandie Fong, recruiter for Starbucks Coffee Hawaii.
"I think Starbucks has a great benefit package ... we offer stock options -- bean stock," to eligible employees. The grant of stock is based on company performance and a fixed number of shares is offered to employees each fiscal year at a favorable price.
One 13-year veteran who worked her way up from barrista to district manager, cashed in her bean stock for a down payment on a house, Fong said.
"Add to ... your bean stock and 401(k) matching, and we also have medical benefits for our part-timers," which most companies don't offer. Qualified part-timers pay in a small amount, depending on coverage.
Starbucks will be among more than 150 employers at the Jan. 17 Job Quest job fair at Blaisdell Center, said Mary Long, director of account services at Success Advertising Hawaii, event organizer.
"This is one of our more popular fairs. It really runs from entry level to management, retail and transportation, a lot of finance and health care," she said. Many job-seekers will have made a New Year's resolution, "a new year, a new career," Long said.
General admission for the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. event is $3, but only $1 for seniors, military personnel and students with ID.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4747, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at:
eengle@starbulletin.com