Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie told Oahu County Democrats on Saturday (May 11) that the Hawaii Legislature‘s failure to increase the state minimum wage was “a shameful thing.”

Lawmakers this year considered raising the wage to $9.25 an hour. Abercrombie, who called for the increase in his State of the State, said the excuse that lawmakers could not agree on whether to increase the tip credit was “a red herring.”

Abercrombie said he would make raising the wage, currently $7.25 per hour, his “top priority” in the next legislative session. He also made a strong pitch for marriage equality legislation, noting the growing national trend in that direction.

And, the governor said he also wanted every school kid in the state to have “a digital device.”

Oahu County Democrats held their annual convention at the Aloha Stadium Hospitality Room.

—Chad Blair