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We got caught off-guard. Don’t let the same thing happen to you.
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I am so sorry to hear this. This is happening everywhere and I just don’t understand. I’ll be praying for us all.
For Ernie and those of you who doubt that our new workforce is coming across our Southern Border.
October 21st 2021
Homeland Security secretary orders ICE to stop mass raids on immigrants’ workplaces.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will no longer conduct mass raids on workplaces where undocumented immigrants are employed, according to a new order by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Soon enough these workers will be taking jobs on the Hawaiian Islands.
Housing in Hawaii is expensive for the poor and middle classes, and that makes it difficult to afford housing, utilities, groceries and transportation. Immigration does not solve these problems when the costs are so high.
Do you think people will be exiting the big island in the near future more so than in the past?
Hi Amy P, Thank You for the information as I am not familiar with Hawaiian Unemployment Compensation. There still remains other programs that provide for people, Assistance, Food Stamps, Section 8 and who knows how many others. It may not provide a great income or optimal lifestyle but Anything that keeps Able Bodied Workers from entering the Workforce needs to be Cut Back and Curtailed for Them. There’s plenty of Jobs at a Good Wage, it’s time to get people back to work!
I lived there 12vyears….am sick at heart as that is where my heart is.Am truly worried about the islands and hope they’re prepared to live off the land as it seems food is getting harder to get on the mainland let alone shipped to the Islands!
Hawaii has fertile land that can be used for producing sustainable food. Unfortunately, supporting tourism and military at the expense of sustainability seem to be the major focuses in Hawaii, and the Kama’aina suffer. Reducing costly regulations and burdens on the people will help ordinary citizens afford to live on the islands. Until then, it’s not gonna get better. -Aloha a ma Mahalo nui loa
I dont know how this administration isn’t having daily meetings on these issues
Perhaps it’s time for Hawaii to raise their minimum wage, and also their more loyal employees could use a raise too
Raising the minimum wage is not a quick fix. Most small businesses have a very small profit margin (less than 10%), so that means they will need to raise prices to pay for the rising wages. Wages usually account for the largest chunk of expenses a business has, which is approximately 30% of a business’ cost. That’s why small business try to cut staff to prevent the inevitable business closing. It’s a vicious cycle.
Sounds like an unsustainable business plan.
The Kukui’ula mall effect has not been good for Poipu & Koloa. As someone going to Kauai my entire life, the current environment is strange. It’s as if the locals have decided they want upscale tourism only so there can be lower volume. The middle is hollowed out, the bottom survives. Leading to boom/bust cycles, long-running businesses dying, ghost town feel at Kiahuna & etc. Meanwhile, the visitor experience is scolding & surcharges and letdowns. Car fees at Waimea, reservations required past Princeville, nowhere to eat. It won’t end well.
HI’s problems don’t stem from tourism, but land ownership & use policy; Kauai’s further from the concentration of HI’s resources elsewhere. Tourism can’t replace sugar long term if it’s miserable.
Yes… Sadly, when a business is closing down, losing everything theyʻve dreamed of, slaved at & diswappointing staff & customers our clients, there are no words to post on the door or the Internet. And… hope reins eternaL that tomorrow one will awaken to a new day where you find that was all a bad dream.
I know first hand.
Losing a Business is like losing all hope not only in humanity but also in Your own Abilities for a while. Your own business is like a Child, in many ways, and unless someone has gone through it they may never understand. I’m very sorry for your loss. There’s some good that can come from this, transferable knowledge to your next Business Venture. You’ve been bitten by the Entrepreneurial Bug and have done well until you couldn’t go on, when you are ready start again. Good Luck in the Future.
We waited in line for three hours at a rental car agency when we landed here on The Big Island. We had reserved a car a few weeks in advance and received a confirmation before we left the mainland. Many stores/restaurants that we used to frequent are closed and those that are open have long wait times and the food is forever to reach you. The prices here seemed to have doubled since our pre-pandemic trips. Those who show up for work however, have the same pleasant island attitude, we love and appreciate you. Mahalo
We have experienced the same stituation.
Stores were closing for COVID. Now just closing not enough help.
Hi, I have seen it in Arizona at fast food as well as some restaurants. It happens even at recreation and aquatic centers for they have trouble keeping life guards so they can’t offer swim lessons for the public every month they told me here in Glendale, AZ. No one wants to work it seems. Many are on unemployment and getting 650.00 month or more for food stamps. I have seen this here.
If this is what is happening, I am not doubting you, Arizona needs to reevaluate what they are doing. Providing some Assistance on a case by case evaluation might be necessary, able bodied people need to be culled and forced back into the job market. It may sound cruel to some, it’s Not, with plentiful jobs at good wages there’s no reason not to work.
Brah, we are “Neighbor Islands”, not “outer islands”. The outer islands to Hawaii are the Marshalls, the Philippines and Japan. Everything else is just neighbors. Aloha.
Drove by Dark Horse coffee in Koloa today. It was open. Good news that Ono Burgers in Anahola is open again. Service was slow with at least a 45 minute wait to get your food order. I am hopeful this will improve as they get over startup issues.
Aloha Rob+Jeff re: Comments by Richard C about a new workforce in Hawaii. It’s not easy to get across the border to the U.S.A. Even for refugees from Ukraine. Keep the jobs and housing for the people who have been born and live there. Any transplant from here should have a job,housing, set up beforehand so as not to be a drain on their resources.
Absolutely. Just common sense.
That must be the new approach to business that I had believed was finally being deported. Several businesses in my area took your approach and have been forced into receivership after being raided by the INS. Seems that hiring Illegals does have ramifications and is Illegal. Good luck with that approach, will wait for your name to become reoccurring in the News following the raids and deportation of your favored new employees.
Ernie can you please list the businesses in your area that were raided by the INS.
That would be a neat trick considering the INS was dissolved in 2003.
If businesses must close on short notice please have someone at least update the FB page and or website. Most important to post a notice,(even handwritten) on the door for those that regularly show up. It is common good business practice to do so. You will not even realize just how many people and loyal customers will not return if this is not so. Consideration is Very important in these times of unpredictable change.
Aloha Rob+Jeff.Per Richard C’s comments on Central and South American people coming to fill the jobs in Hawaii, in looking at my latest edition of Hana Hou, I see no flights to Hawaii from there. With strict border control here on the mainland, how does he think these people are going to get there. There’s a housing shortage already for locals, where would they live? I am hopeful that the businesses can pick up again and life can return to a better situation for all of us. Mahalo for your great reporting on the latest news from there. I appreciate you both.
-i think the author realizes that these folks will get to the West Coast and from there Hawaii,eventually.
My kids were those kids,perhaps considered “ nerds” that worked through their high school years in Hawaii,benefitting financially-head start. I am happy to see high school employees at Target,the wage is good
I wish more parents in Hawaii would encourage their kids to work through High School-it would help with the labor shortage ,teaches life:workplace values;and gives them a financial start
Working through High School helps in so many ways. I did and know many others that did too. It instills Values, Respect, Responsibility and many other Beneficial Experiences, it also helps teach responsible financial handling. More Parents need to encourage their children to take part time work.
Rob, Jeff – I previously posted that’s there’s another possible situation playing out. My wife & I were on Kauai the first 2 weeks of May and were aware of several last-minute, no notice restaurant closings ( and reservations cancelled) because staff were sick with and/or tested positive with COVID. Merrimens In Poipu had this happen for example.
“Strict border control here on the mainland”?
Which border would you be talking about?
Yes, we were in Maui Dec. 2021 & a few of our favorites were either gone (Da Kitchen) or the reservations (Star Noodle) were months out, unless we tried returning after 8:00 p.m.
I’m a small business owner and this is the time of great opportunity. It’s sad that we’re going to lose some of our old favorites, but new favorites will soon appear.
Also our new work force is streaming across our southern border soon they will be doing the jobs that American’s and now Mexicans refuse to do.
That’s right educated undocumented young Mexicans from our last border crisis are not going to work as cooks, field laborers or traditional jobs that their parents and grand parents performed.
Look for our new central & south American friends to soon ease our labor shortage in the 48 states followed by a migration of these individuals to the Hawaiian islands.
Sadly that may be the case in the future.
Hi Gigi, your comment made me sit up and take notice. Only 2 possibilities really exist for that circumstance. The first being a lack of gas at the supplier which shouldn’t occur normally, however, in the current climate of our country I guess that Anything is possible. The second would be that there’s not enough Driver’s to keep up with the schedule, but with the systems reading the Tank the company should be responsive to the customer’s needs. This shouldn’t happen even in a depressed workforce environment. Just fill when in the area regardless of need, quicker and more efficient when time constraints are occurring. When things normalize then return to scheduled fills.
Hi Marcia, I’m sure that there was some sort of Exodus to the Mainland, however, with the money that is being offered, coupled with hiring bonuses, and the knowledge of the amount of Tips that will be made many should have returned. Yes, Rents are contentious but compared to California it is in the ballpark. Something else is at work here,are people collecting extended unemployment benefits? That is where Employers need to step up and challenge them and a Return to Work Notice should take care of the problem. Excuses seem to be easy to get but none are sufficient.
What extended benefits? They ran out here in CA long ago and we have the same issues. Something may be afoot but, notwithstanding what the republican leaders may say, people are not flush with money, unless they’re hiding it under their pillow.
Perhaps you have a take on that.
Hi Patrick, we had plenty of Full Time Workers then, Covid didn’t effect those anywhere near older Workers, many which were working part time and supplementing retirement income. These people demanded Higher Wages, that’s happened, yet most haven’t returned. What do they demand next and should they receive it? Heck No! Work or Lose whatever program you are using to stay out, that’s the Perfect Incentive.
Hi Kathi E! Now is the Time to show those who Are Working the long hours, the Under Staffed Conditions, those who are Keeping Customers Happy Our Graditude, Genuine Appreciation and Thanks by Tipping Generously. Without Their Dedicated Work Ethics we wouldn’t be seated in the restaurant or in line for food, whatever the case. These people are Essential to their Employers and Us!
This situation is true not just on Kauai. I’ve witnessed this happening on Maui and Oahu. And on the mainland. Also in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. In big cities and small towns. Costs have skyrocketed, service has declined, and many businesses have closed. People are getting by without working or they have found another way to produce income. If all the missing workers have found better jobs or started their own businesses, good for them! But I don’t think that’s true. Handouts need to stop so people will work and become productive citizens again.
We experienced this last Feb and March in Hanalei. We went one of our favorites, Kalypso’s, got the last parking spot in back and were feeling lucky. We walked and the place was empty. The owner was there and apologized saying he would open at 2:30. Unable to get staff to serve lunch! We went over to North Shore Cafe, not open until 4:30 PM. Sad. Chicken in Barrel had a long line. We went to Princeville
Hi Ed D! Across the Country there are certain States that are allowing people to either Collect from Covid or loosened requirements to Collect Money and other Benefits from other programs allowing them to Not Seek Employment. Other States are Not allowing any of this. Keeping people on Any Programs when they are Able to Work is doing irreparable harm to the Country and People. Enough Already! Cut them off and get them to work.
Hi Ernie, I don’t know how familiar you are with the unemployment situation here, but it’s not that easy to get and at times during the pandemic they were weeks behind in paying people so it’s highly unlikely people are sitting around on unemployment. Especially considering most people need multiple jobs to afford to live here.
Have to wonder how many people that gave a thumbs down to this comment are the ones that prefer not working and like collecting these free handouts.
People arent even being made to pay rent
We just got back from a trip to Maui and the Big Island. We ran into several cases where restuarants/cafes were closed unexpectedly or had limited hours. We also had times with limited menus that didn’t match their website. While it was disappointing to not be able to enjoy some of our favorite places, we didn’t let it take away from our amazing trip. I’m already planning my next trip back and can’t wait to return. I think the biggest take away for visitors is #5, Just relax and go with the flow. Thank you guys for an awesome website that allows me to connect with Hawaii when I can’t be there.
Hi Matt.
Thanks for your input. And the nice words. Good point – you’re in Hawaii, so sit back and enjoy no matter what.
Aloha.
Love your attitude Matt! Hope you can come back again soon.
Jackie Rey’s in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island was unexpectedly closed at least one evening recently due to lack of LP gas for the kitchen. 😳
Sad to see another coffee place close in Koloa! Loved that little joint owned by the twin brothers…was great coffee.
As a local I run into this constantly. My theory to these unannounced closures is covid. We forget in our fatigue that COVID is still mutating and stalking our islands and world. A business would just close instead of announcing closure due to COVID. Once your cook in a small restaurant or a server finds out they are sick everyone is sick. Just a thought but this is happening all across the country. I just got back from 2:weeks on the mainland and same thing, unexpected closures,
Chalking the closures up to Covid is one way to rationalize it, the other would be realizing that the Food Supply or Amount of Employees are lacking. Some people have equated the employee issues with a Bad Place to Work, Not Enough Pay and Benefits and things of that nature. How many people would really believe that you ran out of food? Unfortunately today Anything has become possible. It’s Time to force people back to work and get the Economy back, stop these Supply Issues and make America Whole Again.
Your Article about Closed Without Notice is very timely and informative, hopefully everyone will read it and follow your advice. During this Crisis due diligence could become an everyday occurrence to avoid any problems. Realizing the multitude of problems facing many businesses it needs to become an accepted and not a flash point of anger and dismay. Sometimes things are well beyond our control, accepting that isn’t always easy. Hopefully things shall improve in the coming months and year, many things need to fall in place at the same time for that to occur. Please keep us updated, it’s certainly appreciated. Thank You!
Hi Ernie.
Thanks for your input on this fast-changing phenomenon. And your 100 comments to date!
Aloha.
BOH, has anyone bothered to investigate “why” the labor force is so lacking after covid? I would wager that Government hand outs are at the root of the problem. Or it is something even more devious that is playing out behind the scenes? Maybe even money being used to keep the work force at home. These are things worth investigating. Something is not right with this scenario. Being that you are well informed about all things Hawaii, I hope you can dig a little further into this. Thanks.
Hi Ed.
Thanks. We’ll report back on anything more we find out. What we’ve been hearing is mostly just that they’re short-staffed at this point, without any more details. Prior wait staff we know, who by the way did well financially before, just decided that they’d had enough. Collected unemployment as long as possible, and now, who knows what they’re doing.
Aloha.
As the saying goes, if you’re looking for a conspiracy you’re gonna find one. Perhaps someone is paying everyone to stay home so you can’t get your favorite coffee, nefarious.
Hi Ed! Another idea is that people were fed up with low wages, no vacation, lack of health insurance, and other things that became more important than ever during the pandemic and are now finding other ways to make money. It’s not unique to Hawaii, I’ve heard this is happening around the entire US.
Aloha… on Maui two restaurants I’ve been going to multiple times yearly have closed much to my disappointment.
Gerard’s on Lahainaluna in Lahaina and
5 Palms on So. Kihei Rd. In Kihei
Honu Seafood and Pizza on Front Street in Lahaina has changed owners and their name… now Honu Oceanside. The menu has changed a little but the food is still excellent!
I have been commenting about this since the start of the pandemic. It makes me sound anti-tourist, but the reality is Hawaii can’t properly staff the islands, but continue to take bookings. Eventually the world will open up and people will remember the less than perfect experience they had in Hawaii and will book elsewhere.
Again, Mahalo for the article
Kelly, we reside in Florida and have the same issues that everyone else has but we don’t have very many problems as far as staffing in most Restaurants are concerned. It is high time Hawaiian’s take a good hard look at their Government (both State and Local) and start demanding that the Government freebies be cut off! Force the entitled, lazy, individuals, to either get a job, or starve!
Ed, in Florida you also have an economy that doesn’t totally depend on tourism. Many service people here moved up the ladder leaving many service positions unfilled. It is also much cheaper to live in Florida, but then you would have to live in Florida. Housing compared to Florida is off the charts.
Gallon of milk here in Kona at costco +/- $5 a gallon. Or a gallon of OJ for $5 at Walmart. Compared to $2.88 at Piggly Wiggly.
We also live 2500 miles from the nearest landmass. You comparison does not work here.
Spoken like a true Floridian.
Works as good as it does anywhere. You are wrong, the biggest industry in Florida is the Hospitality Industry. Yes, there are other industries in Florida but there are other industries in Hawaii, as well. The Coffee industry is big in Hawaii and also places like Dole. Your rates of pay are much higher in your version of the Hospitality Industry, than they are in Florida. But regardless of the differences, where are the workers in Hawaii? No one on here, can tell me, with any certainty, where they are. Just saying they left for the Mainland, does not make it so!
And just saying people are sitting around taking money from the government doesn’t make it so, Ed.
Hi Ed! If you continue to have that attitude, please stay in Florida. Suggesting that people are lazy and should be allowed to starve is a horrible thing to say and not the kind of aloha we have here. Take care!
This is still the United States of America and I will travel where I please, when I please. I said nothing bad about the Islands but I am questioning why there are no one to fill the jobs there. We have visited Hawaii many times and absolutely love it there.
However, this is happening worldwide so is the answer to stay home in protest?
Not enough people on the island to fill the jobs. This makes the most sense.
But where did they go? There used to be enough.
They’ve possibly gone to the continent for stable work, or to live with family there.
When Paradise becomes Hostile to Itself? The loss of workers in Hawaii and across America is proving to be extremely problematic to everyone, businesses and customers alike. According to CDC Statistics there are Plenty of younger people to keep the country running, where are they and Why aren’t they working? They demanded Higher Wages and its occurred, not taking the jobs has become Absurd! Lack of true Leadership seems to be the problem. Supply chain issues may also be at Least partially to blame on lack of Workforce Participation, a Sad Time for America 🇺🇸 because they Lack Work Ethics!
Hello Ernie S., the 2 down votes you received to this point are probably from 2 lazy individuals that are on the government dole and refuse to work!
Sad! Dark Horse was a nice spot to meet the two of you in January for “business” 😉. A bit of an unassuming location and lots of competition, but we love patronizing locals. We also loved the Emperor’s Emporium for our souvenirs and wearables.
Hi Gary.
Thanks. Great to hear from you. Regards!
Aloha.
Good to know Little Fish Coffee is still in business. We stay at Kiahuna Plantation across the street, and I like to walk over to Little Fish for a mocha and one of their excellent bagel sandwiches. Their smoothies are excellent as well. It’s popular, with lines 20 deep not uncommon, so get there early.
On our recent trip, one restaurant where we had made dinner reservations sent us a notice two days ahead that they would only be offering a limited menu due to staffing issues, which made us suspect it was likely a kitchen staff shortage. We decided they were still offering enough choices to keep our reservation.
We were pleasantly surprised when we got there to find they were offering the entire menu after all. Our server said they were able to bring in enough staff to cover their regular menu that night, but I couldn’t help but wonder if they were facing this situation every day. I can’t even imagine how hard it is to run a business with those challenges, and all on top of what they’ve already had to deal with during the pandemic.
And this question, I’m sure, will continue to be asked. Where have all the workers gone that were working pre-covid? This sorts of issue weren’t around then were they?
Too expensive and difficult to secure housing. Lots of people are moving off island and many of the folks moving in have cozy remote jobs.
I believe a lot of people had to move back to the mainland due to the islands basically being closed down during the worst of the pandemic. You don’t get those folks back easily, unfortunately.
Patrick, to see that you even received one down vote for expressing what is an obvious truth, just shows how badly those that are refusing to work are. Just keep spreading the truth and those of us that appreciate the truth, will be grateful for you and those like you.
It’s an interesting question, one that countries worldwide are asking.
We have definitely been experiencing this on Kauai ever since Covid. Try to find a place for lunch in Hanalei on a Thursday! Even the food trucks have been closed of late. Also, it’s impossible to get into most restaurants without a reservation made days in advance, if not more, for dinner. The island is really suffering from the labor shortage and you have to take pity on the people working long hours in overwhelming conditions. I don’t know where it will end.
A lack of people to work is a problem everywhere it seems. The Government needs to cut off those that are able to work and just refuse to do so. Does anyone know if Hawaii is still compensating people because of covid? If so, write to your Representatives and tell them it is time to cut off the welfare programs and get those that are “able bodied” back to work!
The one “down vote” I just received was most likely from one of the very people my comment above was about!
Hi Ed! I’ve been downvoting you, but be assured I have a full time job. Stop assuming the worst of people and instead offer some grace after what has been a very difficult couple of years for everyone.
Of course you have! Why have you been down voting me? Can’t handle the truth? Can’t take a perspective, other than your own? I wear your down votes like a badge of courage.