37 thoughts on “Wide-Ranging Problems Rock Iconic Hawaii Restaurants & Visitors”
Ray T.
Always love Hawaii. How about island restaurants offering vacationers help while visiting, discount on food, joint partnership discount with hotels. Stay 7 days, work 4 part-time days or work 2 fulltime days. Cruise ships do it… Just saying.. Get temporary help in to give regular employees off time to avoid overtime, staff key lots use vacationers on meanial slots. Wait staff to paramedics let’s do it.
Aloha, not only an island problem, but the mainland too. For years many of the troubles mentioned here from violating laws to finding good help have become problematic. The market has turned from “employer market” to “employees market” and some big businesses have yet to catch on. Inflation, the uh, thing thay happened 2 years ago and supply shortages have driven consumer costs up enough where many believe it is better to remain unemployed, low employed or simply working under the table. Taxes climb, insurance climbs, commuting costs have skyrocketed and the employer must meet the needs of employees by raising prices to pay for good help. Sadly, this domino effect won’t go away soon. The 70s took 5 years to recover from. Mahalo
The one thing we noticed on our trip this month was the increase in prices at restaurants. We stay at our timeshare so we usually only eat out in the evening, and consider carefully when we order. We didn’t have the problems getting reservations as we did last year, but some of our favorites are sadly gone.
We are currently on Kauai and understand everything you are saying. We check a restaurant in person day of before going. They often don’t have time to update Facebook or web site. We have found mostly reasonable wait times, and many very hard working wait staff and hosts. You just need to be flexible and patient. Mahalo for your advice.
I think that’s only part of the problem. I also think people had time to think about their lives during the pandemic, and moved on to other jobs. Working in the service industry can be rough, especially when dealing with selfish and irate customers at times.
Aloha!
I was on the Big Island last week. I made reservations at Browns Beach House through Open Table. They have the same $50 per person cancellation fee if cancelled within several hours of the reservation and required a credit card. Also, I received way more email and text reminders than normal. The restaurant seemed to be adequately staffed but I observed that they were being very careful about seating people only at their reservation times and I’m sure there were no walk-ins allowed! We also ate at Pueos Osteria up in Waikoloa Village. They did not require a credit card but we did get several text reminders prior to the reservation. Our reservation was at 5:30 and we arrived early. The restaurant opens at 5 and it was already packed.
This is just sad what covid restrictions, etc has done to Hawaii. I’m afraid that this country will never be the same. Why can’t people go back to working?
Love the macaroni grill $2 fee. We did that so we didn’t have to raise prices lol. That’s like buying a car and adding in a inflation fee of 5k and saying you are paying msrp. Actually they do that lol nitro in tires really?
Mahalo Beat of Hawaii for your always fantastic insights!
I felt compelled to share my experience with Kimos on Maui. My Ohana had come to visit and we made reservations for dinner on Open Table, at 7pm. Arrived early and checked in. We waited as others walked right in without a reservation. At 7:45 they had a table, told me that since Open Table gets a cut they don’t like guests using it. We all felt punished.The service was good, food mediocre. It was embarrassing to feel unwanted and a lesser customer.
Thanks for your input on Maui restaurants. Interesting about Open Table, and in fact we had a look at how much they charge just this week. If a restaurant doesn’t like it, they sure don’t need to be there. In any event, a group of us are heading out tonight and we remain hopeful that it will yield a good report.
Thanks for the great info. Coming in 2 weeks and can’t wait. We love Hawaii. It’s been to long! I feel for all these places struggling to get back to the “norm”. We live in Arizona and it’s the same here. Everything is open but staffing is terrible. People just need to realize you are there for a good time. Enjoy each other and be patient. Looking forward to it! Love reading your website and always enjoy news about one of the most beautiful places!
Always love Hawaii. How about island restaurants offering vacationers help while visiting, discount on food, joint partnership discount with hotels. Stay 7 days, work 4 part-time days or work 2 fulltime days. Cruise ships do it… Just saying.. Get temporary help in to give regular employees off time to avoid overtime, staff key lots use vacationers on meanial slots. Wait staff to paramedics let’s do it.
Aloha, not only an island problem, but the mainland too. For years many of the troubles mentioned here from violating laws to finding good help have become problematic. The market has turned from “employer market” to “employees market” and some big businesses have yet to catch on. Inflation, the uh, thing thay happened 2 years ago and supply shortages have driven consumer costs up enough where many believe it is better to remain unemployed, low employed or simply working under the table. Taxes climb, insurance climbs, commuting costs have skyrocketed and the employer must meet the needs of employees by raising prices to pay for good help. Sadly, this domino effect won’t go away soon. The 70s took 5 years to recover from. Mahalo
The one thing we noticed on our trip this month was the increase in prices at restaurants. We stay at our timeshare so we usually only eat out in the evening, and consider carefully when we order. We didn’t have the problems getting reservations as we did last year, but some of our favorites are sadly gone.
We are currently on Kauai and understand everything you are saying. We check a restaurant in person day of before going. They often don’t have time to update Facebook or web site. We have found mostly reasonable wait times, and many very hard working wait staff and hosts. You just need to be flexible and patient. Mahalo for your advice.
Spot on. Please be patient and don’t take it out on staff. The ones that are working deserve our support and generosity.
This is a nationwide problem. Doesn’t matter how large of a city or how small of a town. People don’t want to work.
I think that’s only part of the problem. I also think people had time to think about their lives during the pandemic, and moved on to other jobs. Working in the service industry can be rough, especially when dealing with selfish and irate customers at times.
Mahalo
Aloha!
I was on the Big Island last week. I made reservations at Browns Beach House through Open Table. They have the same $50 per person cancellation fee if cancelled within several hours of the reservation and required a credit card. Also, I received way more email and text reminders than normal. The restaurant seemed to be adequately staffed but I observed that they were being very careful about seating people only at their reservation times and I’m sure there were no walk-ins allowed! We also ate at Pueos Osteria up in Waikoloa Village. They did not require a credit card but we did get several text reminders prior to the reservation. Our reservation was at 5:30 and we arrived early. The restaurant opens at 5 and it was already packed.
This is just sad what covid restrictions, etc has done to Hawaii. I’m afraid that this country will never be the same. Why can’t people go back to working?
Love the macaroni grill $2 fee. We did that so we didn’t have to raise prices lol. That’s like buying a car and adding in a inflation fee of 5k and saying you are paying msrp. Actually they do that lol nitro in tires really?
You forgot the Mandatory tire inflation monitoring systems now. Tire shops have to have special equipment to manipulate them.
Mahalo Beat of Hawaii for your always fantastic insights!
I felt compelled to share my experience with Kimos on Maui. My Ohana had come to visit and we made reservations for dinner on Open Table, at 7pm. Arrived early and checked in. We waited as others walked right in without a reservation. At 7:45 they had a table, told me that since Open Table gets a cut they don’t like guests using it. We all felt punished.The service was good, food mediocre. It was embarrassing to feel unwanted and a lesser customer.
Hi Pam.
Thanks for your input on Maui restaurants. Interesting about Open Table, and in fact we had a look at how much they charge just this week. If a restaurant doesn’t like it, they sure don’t need to be there. In any event, a group of us are heading out tonight and we remain hopeful that it will yield a good report.
Have a good weekend!
Aloha.
Thanks for the great info. Coming in 2 weeks and can’t wait. We love Hawaii. It’s been to long! I feel for all these places struggling to get back to the “norm”. We live in Arizona and it’s the same here. Everything is open but staffing is terrible. People just need to realize you are there for a good time. Enjoy each other and be patient. Looking forward to it! Love reading your website and always enjoy news about one of the most beautiful places!
Hi Doreen.
Thanks for those nice words and for your comments. Yes, it’s interesting to hear how things are working in AZ and other places.
Aloha.