It has been six years since I started working at a hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii. I have heard many people say, "You must be so happy working in Hawaii, seeing the ocean every day."

However, once I became a hotel employee, I found that the most common view is not the ocean, but rather computer monitors and somewhat anxious and tired tourists.

By 7 AM, the lobby is filled with guests checking out and others wanting to store their luggage. Therefore, during peak season, the lines never seem to end throughout the day. For travelers, it marks an exciting start to their day, but for employees, it signals the beginning of a battle.

The hotel industry in Hawaii is significant, as tourism drives the local economy. A large resort can employ hundreds to nearly a thousand staff members. The front desk, housekeeping, bell service, valet, engineering, security, food and beverage, and reservation teams all operate like a small city.

Many people are curious about salaries. The average salary for a hotel front desk employee is around $38,000 to $42,000. Housekeeping staff typically earn about $36,000 to $40,000, while positions that receive tips, like bellhops or servers, have similar base pay but can see significant increases in income during peak season.

On the other hand, management positions tell a different story. Front office managers or department managers usually earn between $60,000 and $90,000,

while directors at large resorts can earn over $100,000. There is quite a salary difference within the same hotel depending on the role.

However, even salaries that seem decent on paper feel different in Hawaii.

Honolulu is one of the cities in the U.S. with the highest cost of living. Rent, food, car insurance, and electricity are all expensive.

As a result, it is common for hotel employees to live with roommates, and many colleagues commute from farther areas like Kapolei or Ewa Beach.

The difference between peak and off-peak seasons is also more significant than expected. During summer vacation and the holiday season, occupancy rates are nearly full, and the days pass by in a blur.

Conversely, during the off-peak season, working hours may be reduced, or employees may be encouraged to take vacation time.

Especially for part-time employees, pay can vary significantly based on their schedules.

Still, I meet couples on their honeymoon, elderly couples returning to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and families whose children are seeing the ocean for the first time every day.

When I encounter guests checking out who smile and say, "Thanks for a great trip," it helps me forget the fatigue of the day a little.

Hawaii hotels always appear glamorous on the outside. However, the beauty of that resort is powered by the sweat and smiles of hundreds of employees.

The next time you travel to Hawaii, try saying just one word, "Mahalo," to the front desk or housekeeping staff.

I've felt the power of that short greeting more than ever during my six years of working here.