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April 2023
Monthly News & Updates
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Chairman's Message
Aloha to our Hawaii Restaurant Association community –
2023 has been a year of change. The Hawaii Restaurant Association has been progressing along its Strategic Plan under the leadership of our Executive Director Sheryl Matsuoka with the incredibly generous and forward looking $1 million, five-year pledge from Russell Hata and Y. Hata & Co., Limited. Many restaurants were unable to survive the pandemic, and many restaurants are still on our last leg. I purchased Giovanni Pastrami 45 days before COVID-19 and know first-hand the struggle that continues with higher food costs, supply chain shortages, and the ongoing labor shortage. At the same time, we are excited about the bright future ahead. Many new restaurants are opening, new technologies are becoming available, and new support services are helping to make our operations more efficient and staff more productive. This $1 million pledge will help our industry pivot and adapt into the future. Congratulations to everyone for this remarkable achievement and thank you again to Russell Hata and Y. Hata & Co., Limited.
We are still working through the 2023 legislative session with our Government Relations Committee led by Victor Lim. Our lawmakers have deferred most harmful bills and have given us a chance to raise public awareness on others. Reach out to us if you’d like to be on the Government Relations email list to stay current on bills that may affect you and those around you.
The strength of HRA lies in our members, to which our HRA membership is now at an all-time high in large part thanks to our Membership Director, Holly Kessler. Our incredibly selfless and influential Executive Committee and Board of Directors continue to serve HRA and its members in countless ways, most notably as we just wrapped up a milestone year for our Hawaii Hotel and Restaurant Show in partnership with Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association and Star Advertiser’s Star Events. Save the Date for next year’s Hawaii Hotel and Restaurant Show on March 20-21, 2024.
HRA's next event is our May 18th HRA golf tournament at the Hawaii Prince Golf Course presented by HMAA so hope to see everyone out there for what is expected to be a fun-filled, unforgettable experience!
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Historic $1M Gift From
Philanthropist Russell J. Hata to
Perpetuate the Food Service Industry
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At the ceremony, pictured left to right: Ave Kwok, Timmy Chang, Russell Hata, and Sheryl Matsuoka. The Hawaii Restaurant Association presented Russell Hata, an avid UH football fan, with a signed UH football presented by Coach Timmy Chang. | |
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A celebration was held on April 6, 2023 commemorating the 110th anniversary of Y. Hata & Co., Limited, and honoring philanthropist, President & CEO, Russell J. Hata on his birthday, where he announced a historic $1 million dollar gift - the Y. Hata & Co., Limited - Hawaii Restaurant Association Endowment Fund. The $1 million dollar gift was pledged over a 5-year period to the Hawaii Restaurant Association to perpetuate the food service industry in Hawaii.
The Y. Hata & Co., Limited - Hawaii Restaurant Association Endowment Fund will help provide vital resources to support restaurant and food service establishments in Hawaii, such as training programs, funding to help offset the cost of continuing culinary education, the perpetuation of our culture through culinary arts, and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the food service industry in the state. The gift will also fund a position within the Hawaii Restaurant Association to coordinate resources that will directly help local restaurants.
This gift will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the food service industry in Hawaii.
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There are many golf tournaments in the Islands, but NONE compare to the Hawaii Restaurant Association's annual tourney!
The food and drinks offered throughout the day on the course parallel a dining experience like no other during tournament play. After all, we are the Hawaii Restaurant Association! Our restaurant and beverage members will be out in full force serving up great food and libations.
Teams are going quickly - Don't Delay, Register Today!
We are also accepting donations for our Player Swag Bags and Team Prize Donations. For more information on donations, click HERE.
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Did you catch HRA's recent Think Tech Show featuring the team from Wai Kai discussing water fun and dining, and the now-open Kitchen Door Wai Kai restaurant, located on Oahu.
"Restaurants of Hawaii" features HRA members and guests discussing trending topics in the food service industry.
Check out our full playlist of past shows HERE.
Please Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe to our Channel!
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Hawaii Hotel & Restaurant Show
3rd Annual Highlights
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The Hawaii Hotel & Restaurant Show was held on March 22 & 23, 2023 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The two-day industry trade show welcomed thousands of food service professionals and decision-makers at this year’s event. Our local restaurants and beverage distributors were on full display and they did not disappoint in showcasing their newest and best products. | |
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Hawaii Restaurant Association held our board of directors meeting during the show, where the executives received updates on HRA’s programs, initiatives, revenue and membership stats which continue to grow year over year.
HRA is planning more events and programs to help our restaurants sustain operations and address the concerns and issues they face in their daily business operations. The HRA continues to lead the industry in resources, initiatives and programs designed to ensure our food service establishments remain open and successful.
Check out our feature on KITV4 from the Show floor.
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Take Criticism Like A Champ
How to Deal with Negative Online Reviews
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Negative reviews can get under our skin. Embrace the chance to respond cooly and calmly with these tips on how to handle not-so-hot reviews. Here are some tips from our partner at the Better Business Bureau on best practices. | |
Program to Help with Credit Card Surcharges | |
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HRA MEMBER BENEFIT. Learn how to recoup your card payment acceptance costs. Heartland provides you with all the tools, support, and answers you need to surcharge with confidence.
Questions: Bernie Kaelin, Bernie.Kaelin@Heartland.US 1-765-263-8625
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Food Safety Certifications | |
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Y Hata is committed to providing Food Safety Certification solutions for you and your staff. Keep your management team certified with the ServSafe® Food Manager Certification.
Classes are offered in the ChefZone Community Room and are exclusive to Y. Hata and ChefZone customers.
Next Food Manager Certification Classes
Monday, April 24, 2023
Monday, May 22, 2023
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HRA Educational Foundation News | |
Pictured at the event from left to right: with Castle High School students is Sheryl Matsuoka, Hawaii State Representative Elijah Pierick, and Katie Decker, ProStart Hawaii Coordinator. | |
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On April 6, 2023 the HRA Educational Foundation held a Top Tracer Golf Range Fundraiser Tournament and Pau Hana at the Bayview Golf Course in Kaneohe.
The event featured Hawaii restaurants and ProStart students and high schools serving up golf & great food. Everyone who attended experienced the unique golf range tournament-style event with lots of networking, food and fun, which benefitted the HRA Educational Foundation, whose mission is to sustain and train the future foodservice workforce.
To learn more about HRA's Educational Foundation, visit www.hraef.org
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Hawaiʻi Gas Issues Request for Proposals
for Renewable Natural Gas and Renewable Hydrogen
Hawaiʻi Gas, the state’s only regulated gas utility, issued a request for proposals to purchase renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable hydrogen, key resources that will enable the company to shift away from its reliance on fossil fuel.
The request for proposals is consistent with its clean energy plan and strategy detailed in Hawaiʻi Gas’s Integrated Resource Plan recently filed with the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission (HPUC).
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Plates for Sale
Need Plates? An HRA member is offering NEW plates at a discount to our members.
Please contact Nani for information, pricing, and more photos.
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March 2023 New and Renewing Members | |
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NEW
Allmixedin
Chick-fil-A
Eco Clean Hawaii
Genki Sushi
Grindztogo
Hanalei Market
Hungry Coyote
Kahua Palima
Leidos
Lenox Metals
Middle Eats
Rainbow Café
Sonic Drive In-Hawaii
The Foody Gram
Valentina's Pizza
Viper Group Media
Renewing
AdStreamz
Baci Bistro
Buffalo Wild Wings
Dave and Busters
Denny's
Dole Foods
Eggs 'n Things Hawaii
Hawaii Dental Service
HMAA
Jack in the Box
KYD, Inc.
PacRim Marketing Group
Panda Group
Restaurant 604
Sysco
University Health Alliance
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The HRA Vision
The Hawaii Restaurant Association is the organization unifying, representing and supporting the Hawaii restaurant and food service industry.
Mission Statement
To provide exceptional value through membership benefits, industry advocacy, community involvement, educational resources and networking opportunities.
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