Diners in Hawaii face surprise charges that can add up to 23% to their bill, combining an 18% takeout fee with a 5% resort fee, leading to frustration and calls for greater transparency.
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63 thoughts on “Outlandish Restaurant Fees Shock Diners In Hawaii and Elsewhere”
Unfortunately, much of this isn’t specific to Hawaii. I figure I’m paying 20% on top of the final price. I would prefer it to be a tip to employees, but if restaurants want to take that money for themselves as a fee, maybe the employees will stop working there.
Just another reason to not visit Hawaii….their “no tourist” attitude is working. What a great way to boost your economy.
I suspect that the “take out” orders include the service charges since the cost is now comparble like the restaurants. Summer vacations in Waikiki is already high season with higher cost for hotels, car rentals and food. Shocked to see an 18% increase on the total bill as a service charge for a party of 13. Service was satisfactory so we did not mind a gratuity of 20% for the waitress. My family will not be eating at these restaurants.
The politicians should pass a law to curtail so many of these extra charges.
I’m sure the service charge for take out is just to replace the tip the workers get from dining in. People tend to not tip for take away, but the cook is still cooking just as much, and the expediter working just as hard, no matter where you eat it. They rely on the tips.
The service charge for 13 is pretty standard where I live. Has been for as long as I can remember.
I tip for takeout also, the materials to package the food in also are an expense to the employer, as well as the employee handling your order should be entitled to a Thank you, and a little extra. I usually review the receipt for a “service charge” and base any tip on that amount. 18% or more means much less cash in the servers hands.
I pay a tip, even for takeout.
So just dine somewhere else. The smart restaurants would advertise a no fees approach
As a small business owner I find these fees abhorrent. Any business trying to add junk fees to my bill will never be visited again and I’ll certainly post a review about my experience. I’m not a big fan of what I perceive as an already over regulated business environment but I’m all in favor of laws that forbid these shady practices.
Some believe that most, if not all, of the problems facing Hawaii have it’s roots in the local governments, it’s a place to begin. Leaving the State government from blame would be missing an integral portion of what has occurred and continues to. Even a total cleansing of all levels of government won’t help, a new slate might effect the necessary, only to quickly be replaced with the same reprehensible types to begin the dishonest choices and ruin yet again. Blame should include the Voters too!
Hawaii is facing serious issues in the travel industry due to the apparent mismanagement by local leaders. Their decisions have led to widespread dissatisfaction among travelers, who are now dealing with the repercussions of these mistakes. Hawaii will soon go bankrupt at this rate
The State of Hawaii has been living far beyond its means for quite a long time, prior to Covid, and with no end in sight. Many things could be initiated immediately to help, it’s doubtful that any politicians would be willing. Bankruptcy has loomed over Hawaii for far too long, when and how will it all end? Audit, Audit, and cut away the bloated policies that help dramatically increase the deficit, then continue to cut away more!
guess I wont be eating there and Guess there will be No tips.
No need as they’ve already built in an 18% tip on to-go orders!
IMO this tactic will probably spread in response to Hawaii’s luxury tourist plan where to some money don’t matter. IMO nobody likes or cares to be overcharged or taken advantage of so what happens Hawaii when the luxury tourist decides to quit coming?
It’s inevitable that the Wealthy will enjoy Hawaii without many of the “normal and average people” around. Unfortunately for Hawaii, it’s those “normal and average people” that actually contribute to the economy more than the Wealthy shall. When the tipping point weighs towards the Wealthy, remember that they are Wealthy because of their frugality, they eventually shall migrate to where they are more comfortable, with their friends on the French Riviera, Coastal Italy, or another Uber Popular Place. It’s almost as if Hawaiians don’t understand the Upper Most Class, further dooming their Economy until Bankruptcy is a Reality. Who do they “think” will be left holding the proverbial bag? You all haven’t seen anything yet!
True and we can’t even afford go to Disneyland any longer being on a fixed income. Hawaii will never be on our “plate again”. Keep shooting yourself in the foot and soon you’ll have nothing to stand on.
Wait, Wait , Wait. If patrons, customers reduce the tip accordingly then do the cooks, wait staff get less tip income? If it is considered a service fee then does the resort obtain the fee and use it to cushion all said workers wages? Who really does this benefit? IMO just a way to justify overcharging the patrons.
What ever you do Don’t reduce tips. In most all restaurants servers are paid a reduced hourly wage because of potential tip income. As well they have to “tip out” which means pay the “back of the house” (hostess, busers, cooks) a set percentage of the BILL total (not tip total) Usualy in the range of 5-10%.
If you choose to “stiff” the server, they still have to pay the back of house that tip out, so they pay out of their pockets for this.
Eg, $200 bill, 5% tipout = $10. You leave a $10 tip …. your server gets nothing. You leage a $15 tip, the server gets $5. Leave no tip, server pays $10 of their own money to back of house.
Never scrimp on a tip because of managements outrageous fees…servers need those tips to make a “living wage”.
I’m not subsidizing someone’s paycheck bc they choose to work for a cheap employer. All of these servers just need to walk out on their employees and see how long it takes for them to start paying them a wage that doesn’t depend on the generosity of total strangers. You know what your wages are when you accept the position so don’t expect me to make up any shortfall.
Are you charged a resort fee if you check for hotel availability or prices at the front desk also. What’s the difference. IMO just wrong. Just because Europe, Vegas nickel and dime tourist don’t make this right. Hopefully these tactics are clearly posted prior to entering the restaurant giving the patron the option to decline. Being told after seating and told by wait staff after the fact IMO isn’t cool. Please look on travel sites that review restaurants to consider where to to go prior to your trip. IMO if every consumer refused to pay over a certain thresh hold then merchants wouldn’t price product so high.
Best way to fight the cooperate greed is to boycott them. Consumers must stand together
Jeff and Rob have it right. Buyer (or Diner) beware. We never eat-in while in Hawaii – we are Always out for breakfast or lunch or dinner or all three. We’ve always seen some type of fee listed on the menu, or at the table, or were told by our server about another. It’s the price to pay for enjoying the experience. Like many reasonable BOH readers who can do the math without getting uptight, we subtract from what we would tip up to the 20% threshold (yes, we like to appreciate the places that give us joy) or add to get to that threshold. Simple. Mahalo.
I have recently read a reply stating that the Caribbean, in direct reference to my post the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana specifically, raising rates significantly like Hawaii. That person, Randy, certainly has it all wrong. My wife and I are going, instead of Hawaii, for 10 nights in February 2025. We have booked the honeymoon suite with a private infinity pool, all you can eat and drink, including airfare and transfers. It’s at a Jimmy Buffet Resort in Punta Cana and cost us just under $2300 US Total! Compared to what we would typically spend in Hawaii, we can take 3 of these vacations and still have plenty of money left over. And to think, the people are happy that we are there. If you spend some time looking there are awesome deals, if not it’s still cheaper than Hawaii, more friendly too.
I know this for sure… When I’m back home come Dec, I’m checking menus Online first before I go… Couldn’t believe that one surcharge. Bad enough you’re dropping $350-$400 for 2 or 3 at a really good spot but when you’re not even Staying there and you get resort fee’d… ???
Best Regards!
Experienced credit card fee and imposed tip when receiving the bill. They were not disclosed before ordering. I refused to pay both and the manager accepted that. I’m OK with paying these fees if they are disclosed beforehand and I choose to continue eating at that restaurant.They just should not be a surprise at the end of the meal and they need to be reasonable because they could put any fee they want after you eat and that’s not fair.
We haven’t dined out in years, but back then when I saw the ” Mandatory Gratuity Fee” on the credit card tag while getting ready to sign it, I automatically deducted the amount from any cash Tip I’d planed on leaving. I would hope the business did give the Mandatory Gratuity Fee to the employee, not pocket the money themselves.
We ate at the Beach House on Kauai last year and were surprised by a $3 fee for the manager, which we had to pay before we were allowed to get our car from the valet. Of course, we never saw the manager. So, very few restaurants for us, and more farmer’s markets and food trucks, which are very good by the way.
Additional charges are always a concern for travelers, of course, but more specifics would help me to fully grasp the extent to which surcharges are applied in restaurants across Hawaii. Citing one restaurant, Oasis on the Beach, and then referring to restaurants in general and “some” commenters on social media doesn’t really tell me whether this is a big problem or not.
The photo from the restaurant’s FB page is confusing, as that beach spot gets spectacular sunrises, not sunsets. The restaurant isn’t open at that early hour, and most people are rarely up for a glass of wine before breakfast, anyway—even on vacation. 🙂
In reference to the new California law, “Mandatory fees charged by restaurants, bars, and other select food vendors are exempted from SB 478’s requirements so long as the fee is clearly and conspicuously displayed wherever prices are shown (see SB 1524).”