Seeing some of the images from the nurse’s strike on O’ahu has been distressing, to say the least. Images of kupuna being hauled away in handcuffs, fighting for what they believe in have made their way across the nation and world.

And if it has gone this far, it’s clear these protesters and nurses believe in the cause behind what they are doing.

When a newly elected state lawmaker (Kim Coco Iwamoto) is willing to be arrested for what she believes in alongside the other nine who were arrested outside Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children, it only adds to the drama and complexity of what is unfolding in the Aloha State with healthcare and living wages. It also highlights what’s at stake as out-of-state nurses arrived on Monday to fill the staffing void that has been left behind in the wake of a lockout and strike.

None of the 10 people arrested on Monday are nurses, so it goes to say that others who don’t even work in the industry feel there are problems in the state that need to be addressed.

The emotions and tension are at a fever pitch, and this is over paying those who we called heroes not that long ago what they believe is a living wage. Over 600 nurses have reportedly been locked out since they participated in a one-day strike a few weeks ago. They are highlighting the need in Hawaii for healthcare workers in general and the gap that exists between these administrations and the nurses.

This isn’t the first time a strike like this has happened and we saw other strikes in Hawaii start this week. The 2,000 union workers at the Hilton in Waikiki who went on strike Tuesday are joining in a show of distress at the wages and conditions they are working under in Hawaii.

How these strikes will play out is anybody’s guess, but shouldn’t we as a state take care of those who keep us healthy and keep the show running? Bringing in out-of-state workers seems common practice now instead of paying Hawaii residents what it actually costs for them to live here, be it in the service industry, medical, or education.

The art of negotiation sometimes is a messy one and here’s to hoping that common ground is found and a long-term solution is reached by both sides. Sometimes an arbitrator is needed to resolve these kinds of disputes.

On Tuesday, the governor got involved.

“Governor Josh Green has decided to help put an end to the turmoil at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children. After weeks of calls and emails from nurses and others imploring his help, we’re glad he is taking heed to the cries from the parents of young patients and has been moved by the outrage in our community,” Strategic Communications Solutions (SCS) said in a press release.

The SCS said, Governor Green has asked that both parties, Kapi’olani and the nurses, ensure that no services are interrupted at Kapi’olani and that the nurses continue to receive their health benefits.

Two strikes in a week on Oahu will show the other islands what is coming, and what the workers are demanding as they continue to fight for what they believe in.