Many furloughed Big Island hospitality workers have gone nearly a year without work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of its location, Waimea is home to many hospitality workers who work in West Hawaii. When the pandemic hit, thousands of workers were furloughed from their jobs at hotels and resorts.
Vernon Pilor has lived in Waimea all his life and has worked at the Hilton Waikoloa Village since 1993. On March 15, 2020, he was furloughed and still has no idea what his future looks like after a year of unemployment.
“This has been the roughest time I have ever had to experience,” Pilor said. “I’ve been trying to work as much as possible at a part-time job, but it’s so hard not to be working full time.”
Pilor became emotional while talking about the pandemic and how it has affected him and others who also are struggling.
“I’m not afraid to show my emotions because there is only so much I can keep inside,” Pilor said. “This is such a hard time for everyone in our community, and I feel for so many people that have lost so much this year.”
Pilor has not heard from his employer about returning, but is holding onto hope that he can get back to work this year. Until then, he is spending time focusing on his health after the death of his eldest brother.
“I lost my eldest brother recently to longtime health concerns, and that has been really hard on top of everything,” Pilor said. “I want to take care of myself and keep up with my health.”
Last Friday he attended an Ohana Food Drop in Waimea and took advantage of free COVID-19 testing offered by Premier Medical Group after driving through the food line.
“This is the first time I’ve been tested, because it was so convenient to do so today,” Pilor said. “These food drops have been a lifesaver to me through this time, and I’m so grateful to all the help we’ve had in the community.”
While Pilor is looking forward to being vaccinated as soon as possible, he has no plans to let his guard down.
“I think it’s so important that we keep taking this seriously and hang in there together,” he said. “We need to be there for each other and keep up the good habits so we can all get through this.”
Lacy Lively recently heard from the Hilton that she could return to work beginning next Tuesday — exactly a year after she was furloughed along with Pilor.
“I got the call just the other day that I can come back to work for orientation,” Lively said. “I’m not sure when my shifts will be, but I am so excited to be able to go back.”
In August 2020, Lively was struggling to make ends meet while she was on unemployment and taking care of her three teenage children and a nephew. Now things seem to be looking up for her and her family.
“I’ll have my insurance back when I go back to work, and my kids are slowly getting integrated back to school, which is so great,” she said. “Life really seems to be getting better right now. It’s a blessing.”
Lively decided to get tested for COVID-19 for the first time when it was offered after the Ohana Food Drop line.
“I thought since I’m going back to work soon, I might as well check to make sure I’m healthy,” Lively said. “It was really nice that they offered this since we’re already here.”
She has attended the food drops since the summer and has benefited greatly from the extra help every few weeks.
“I didn’t have access to an unemployment check in January, so that really depleted our savings,” Lively said. “I’m so thankful the food drops still happen regularly because they continue to be so helpful to me and my family.”
Waimea resident Rusty Niau accidentally got into the Ohana Food Drop line last Friday, thinking it was the line to be tested.
“We didn’t intend to go through the line, but luckily we can go drop the food off at the senior center here in Waimea,” Niau said. “I just wanted to get tested since it was actually happening in town.”
Niau travels to Kailua-Kona to be tested for COVID-19 frequently, so she can see her mother at the Life Care Center of Hilo.
“We’re trying to keep ourselves safe and keep the bubble small since my mom is in a care center,” Niau said. “We couldn’t see her for a long time, so I’m so thankful for all the time we can see her now.”
Testing has continued to be a priority for Hawaii County, with Premier Medical and S&G Labs consistently offering free testing sites at locations around the island each week.
“I’m so glad to see the vaccine getting distributed, but that does not negate the need for testing,” said Dr. Kaohimanu Akiona, Hawaii County medical director for Premier Medical Group. “The virus can still spread through the community, and we don’t want to let up on our efforts just yet.”
Premier conducted 34 COVID-19 tests in Waimea last Friday, and The Food Basket served 1,600 people, which is about 10% less than last month.
“We saw about 1,000 more people in Keaau last week, while West Hawaii numbers are declining,” said Kristin Frost Albrecht, executive director of The Food Basket. “It seems like people are starting to go back to work, with resorts and hotels getting busier.”
This week, The Food Basket will serve communities in Hilo today and Waikoloa on Friday.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com