Union workers from Unite Here Local 5 voted to ratify an agreement reached late last week with iStar Financial enabling them to continue working at the Ilikai hotel.

However, the workers still do not know when the Ilikai is scheduled to open, according to Local 5 spokesman Cade Watanabe.

New York-based iStar Financial, the new owner of 203 residential units at the Ilikai following a foreclosure auction, initially announced on July 8 that it was closing the hotel.

Under the new union contract, wages, benefits and job-security provisions will remain intact for about 50 full-time workers. All Ilikai workers will receive vacation pay accumulated prior to the Ilikai's closure, while those not rehired will be given severance pay. Workers will be offered employment by seniority.

“;The last week has been a roller coaster of emotions, but I'm very happy with today's vote because it moves us one step closer to getting back to work,”; said Lorna Marcos, a housekeeping clerk at the Ilikai for 25 years, “;and it gives us the opportunity to work hard to make the new Ilikai a success.”;