Honolulu City Council Considers COVID-Era Hazard Pay for Bus Workers

Over 2,000 city bus drivers and mechanics would receive $7,500 each in temporary hazard pay under proposal.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:05am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal bus fare box, a pair of work gloves, and a face mask arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the tools and protective equipment used by Honolulu's bus workers during the pandemic.A somber still life honoring the essential work of Honolulu's bus drivers and mechanics during the COVID-19 pandemic.Honolulu Today

The Honolulu City Council's Budget Committee has approved a resolution to provide nearly $17 million in temporary hazard pay to over 2,000 city bus drivers and mechanics who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full City Council is scheduled to consider final approval of the resolution on April 15. The hazard pay agreement follows similar payouts to other city unions, including the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association.

Why it matters

The proposed hazard pay for bus workers recognizes the essential frontline role they played during the pandemic, when public transit remained operational despite health risks. It also aligns with the city's efforts to provide equitable compensation to its unionized workforce for pandemic-era work.

The details

The resolution would give each of the 2,078 members of the Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996 $7,500 in temporary hazard pay, plus applicable payroll taxes. City officials said they have discussed the proposal with the union's president and are working to finalize an agreement before the end of the fiscal year. The hazard pay would cover the period from March 2020 to March 2022, when bus operators continued providing essential transportation services despite the health risks.

  • The Honolulu City Council's Budget Committee approved Resolution 74 on April 3, 2026.
  • The full City Council is scheduled to consider final approval of the resolution on April 15, 2026.

The players

Honolulu City Council

The legislative body of the City and County of Honolulu, responsible for approving the proposed hazard pay resolution.

Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996

The labor union representing over 2,000 city bus drivers and mechanics who would receive the temporary hazard pay.

Oahu Transit Services Inc.

The company that operates TheBus and TheHandi-Van routes on behalf of the city Department of Transportation Services.

Andy Kawano

Director of the Honolulu Department of Budget and Fiscal Services.

Mike Formby

Honolulu City Managing Director.

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What they’re saying

“Similar to the Honolulu Fire Department we've decided that it would make sense to offer an equity settlement to the Teamsters union, through OTS and DTS. And the amount would be not to exceed $7,500 per eligible union member.”

— Andy Kawano, Director, Honolulu Department of Budget and Fiscal Services

“Kevin Holu understands that he basically, by agreement with OTS, needs to decide how they're going to distribute the money to the Teamsters. In other words, we know that there's a finite amount of money that we're going to give and it's $7,500 per person that is eligible.”

— Mike Formby, Honolulu City Managing Director

What’s next

The full Honolulu City Council is scheduled to consider final approval of Resolution 74, which would authorize the $16.77 million in temporary hazard pay for bus workers, on April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The proposed hazard pay for Honolulu's bus workers is part of the city's broader efforts to provide equitable compensation to its unionized workforce for essential services rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic. This recognition of frontline workers' sacrifices aims to boost morale and retention in critical public sectors.