Prior to COVID, the joke on Hawaii business signs was “closed for luaus, big surf, no like work.” Now, however, closed signs are seen more and more, and a case in point today. Hawaii businesses are reducing hours or closing entirely, either temporarily or permanently, like a popular restaurant below featured on “Diners, Drive-In and Dives.” It’s all because of limited staffing and mushrooming costs.
This problem hit home today when your Beat of Hawaii editors ran into a similar issue at Dark Horse Coffee in Koloa. A planned business meeting there had to be moved because the coffee shop was closed with no signage to be found anywhere.
Even before leaving we first cautiously checked the hours on their website (which were wrong and not updated). Then we went to their Facebook page to check for anything more current. Facebook had listed new reduced hours that weren’t on the website at all. But in the end, neither was right, and it turned out they were closed when we got there at 11:00 AM. We have tips on what to do in today’s post in order to avoid a similar situation.
This is happening repeatedly.
If this was the first time, we wouldn’t even give it much thought, much less would we have reported on it. But it’s happened on multiple occasions even in just the past few weeks. We noticed it as well at Starbucks, where a handmade sign on the door was the only indication of a sudden reduction in hours. Part of the issue here on the outer islands is that we have a workforce that’s not big in numbers, and since we are on an island, we can’t draw people easily from other locations. And that’s just the beginning of the issues.
Short-staffed restaurants, coffee shops, and other venues in Hawaii.
1. Businesses are abruptly changing hours due to a lack of staffing. And just when we thought this was mostly about flights to Hawaii having pilot and other shortages.
2. Hours are changing without notice. Restaurants are either not opening at all or are reducing hours. That can mean eliminating lunch, for example, or closing early due to the inability to hire and retain staff.
3. Empty tables don’t mean a lack of customers. Restaurants aren’t always able to have full seating any longer. It is becoming customary to allow fewer guests than capacity would indicate since there aren’t enough people to service those extra tables.
Could no staff and skyrocketing costs shutter Hawaii restaurants permanently?
We just don’t know where this is going to end. You may have heard that an iconic Hawaii eatery once featured by Guy Fieri is closing permanently this week due to these very issues.
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives find closes.
Dean’s Drive Inn in Kaneohe is going out of business after 16 years. There, soaring prices were the primary cause for closure, together with staffing. The owner said that “the rising cost of food and supplies has made it impossible to stay in business.” The local and casual eatery was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” several years ago and we recall their ahi fish cakes being featured.
Even before they could close permanently, other issues hit the iconic restaurant just this past weekend. They closed suddenly without notice, posting on Facebook, “We ran out of food today and there won’t be any deliveries tomorrow to get our food products because of the holiday.”
Here’s what we suggest doing.
1. Check the website before heading out.
2. Go to their Facebook page for more current hours and information.
3. Pick up the phone and call before going to see what the circumstances are today. That was where we fell short.
4. Have a backup plan or place to meet. In today’s case, the backup was Little Fish Coffee in Poipu.
5. Relax more, go with the flow. It’s your vacation and you are on island time.
Have you experienced the same in Hawaii?
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Brenda J says
I am so sorry to hear this. This is happening everywhere and I just don’t understand. I’ll be praying for us all.
Richard C says
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.
Phil L. says
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.
Glen says
Do you think people will be exiting the big island in the near future more so than in the past?
Ernie S. says
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!
Shirley c says
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!
Phil L. says
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
Barbara R says
I dont know how this administration isn’t having daily meetings on these issues
Lisa F. says
Perhaps it’s time for Hawaii to raise their minimum wage, and also their more loyal employees could use a raise too
Paul L says
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.
PegM says
Sounds like an unsustainable business plan.
Poipu K says
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.
Dawn m says
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.
Ernie S. says
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.
Monique S says
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
Harry g says
We have experienced the same stituation.
Stores were closing for COVID. Now just closing not enough help.
Tina K says
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.
Ernie S. says
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.
Timmy L says
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.
George H says
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.
DebraM says
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.
Barbara R says
Absolutely. Just common sense.
Ernie S. says
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.
Richard C says
Ernie can you please list the businesses in your area that were raided by the INS.
Poipu K says
That would be a neat trick considering the INS was dissolved in 2003.
schar f says
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.
DebraM says
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.
Jeanne F says
-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
Ernie S. says
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.
TomK says
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.
Paul L says
“Strict border control here on the mainland”?
Which border would you be talking about?
Gigi R. says
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.
Richard C says
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.
Paul L says
Sadly that may be the case in the future.