October 2025

Monthly News & Updates

Chairman's Message

Aloha HRA Ohana,

I would like to give a huge MAHALO to everyone who helped execute another amazing Hall of Fame on September 29th! It was a fantastic evening of great food and drink, spent honoring 5 new HOF inductees:

• Scott Dodd of Luana Hospitality Group
• Robynne Maii of Fete and Mille Fete
• Rick Nakashima of Ruby Tuesday Hawaii and Rainbow Drive-In
• Kelvin Ro of Diamond Head Market and Grill
• Bobby Lou Yeackel of Buzz’s Original Steak House

In addition, there was the special, much-deserved recognition of our HRA President, Sheryl Matsuoka. Victor Lim and Holly Kessler led the charge with the secret to honor Sheryl at the beginning of the program, where she was presented with proclamations from Governor Josh Green and Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, Senator Glenn Wakai, Representatives Greggor Ilagan and Trish LaChica, and Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s proclamation that September 29th, 2025 is Sheryl Matsuoka Day! Even Kauai and Maui Mayors Derek Kawakami and Richard Bissen made the trip over to join in the celebration. Another sellout for this great event, thanks to many of our members and corporate sponsors, our Title sponsor Y. Hata & Co., and of course, the HRA staff and volunteers who helped make this special evening go off without a hitch. A reminder that all proceeds from this event benefit the HRA Educational Foundation, which helps the next generation of culinary and restaurant leaders!

Another great event that many attended was The Best of Hawaii’s Best Kitchens on September 27th at the Hyatt Regency. The VIP pre-party hosted by Tito’s Vodka was great, as well as the main event. Mahalo to Darrell Chock and HBK, as all proceeds from this event also went to the Hawaii Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships and funding essential to local high school students interested in the culinary and restaurant industry.

Fall is in full swing and we are in the midst of the shoulder season for tourism, which is typically a slower period for most of us. Tourism and the economy aren’t as strong as it was this time last year, either, so just know you are not alone if you are experiencing lower sales than usual. On top of that, as of this writing the federal government is 16 days into a shutdown which we are just beginning to see the effects of. Hawaii has over 70,000 federal workers, so our state is most definitely affected by this. Much is at stake, so hopefully both sides can find common ground and come to an agreement sooner rather than later; otherwise, there could be devastating consequences for our local economy, as well as the nation’s. Just know that during all of this current uncertainty, the HRA is here for you and is committed to making our industry strong in the long term.

The next event on the calendar for the HRA is the 2026 Legislative Meet & Greet, hosted by Central Pacific Bank at Tidepools downtown on January 26th, 2026. This is a great opportunity to meet our local legislators and talk story in a casual environment while enjoying some pupus and drinks as well. Mark your calendars and sign up soon, as space is limited!

Also mark your calendars for February 25th and 26th, 2026 for the 2nd Annual Hawaii Restaurant Food Service Expo at Blaisdell Center. This is another great event to meet local and national vendors from all segments of the industry, and attended by key decision makers who are looking at ways to improve their restaurants via innovation, efficiency, technology, and menu creativity & additions.

Finally, we are looking for 4-5 members to join our board of directors due to some directors' terms expiring. Please submit nominations to anyone on the Executive Committee via email or give us a call. Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence and Aloha in Hawai‘i’s restaurant industry. Your hard work keeps our community vibrant and our hospitality thriving!

Mahalo Nui Loa,

Mike Palmer

Chairman, Hawaii Restaurant Association

Managing Partner, Ho’okipa Partners LLC

Member Spotlight: Hawaiian Discovery Furniture

Locally Owned. Globally Crafted. Perfectly Suited for Hawai‘i’s Restaurants

In Hawai‘i, where hospitality and ‘ohana are at the heart of every dining experience, your atmosphere reflects who you are as well as the food you serve. That’s where Hawaiian Discovery Furniture comes in.

We are a locally owned and operated company specializing in high-quality hardwood furniture crafted to elevate your restaurant’s dining space and built to stand the test of time in our island environment.

At Hawaiian Discovery Furniture, we supply a full range of restaurant-ready tables, chairs, and benches, all made from solid hardwoods sourced through our direct partnerships with our factories. This factory-direct model allows us to control quality, manage costs, and provide an exceptional overall experience for our customers.

We understand that no two restaurants are the same, which is why we offer:

• Dining, counter, and bar-height options
• Custom sizing, finishes, and designs to match your concept
• Durable, weather-resistant construction for indoor and outdoor use
• In-stock, on-island inventory

Why Choose Us?

• Local Service: We live and work in Hawai‘i. We understand the challenges and opportunities of doing business in the islands.
• Global Craftsmanship: By working directly with our skilled partners in Vietnam, we bring world-class furniture to local businesses—without the inflated price tag.
• Professional Quality: All our furniture is built to meet the demands of daily use in high-traffic hospitality settings.

We know that in Hawaii, cooking for someone is one of the most generous & gracious things you can do because it’s who we are and it’s what we do. Hawaiian Discovery Furniture will help you set the tone to provide your guests with an experience they will remember and for which they will return.

Let’s talk story. Reach out today to learn more, request a quote, or schedule a design consultation.

Restaurant Job Openings

Restaurant and lodging job openings remained solid as hiring has slowed

Job openings in the restaurant and lodging sector rose from 880,000 in July to 986,000 in August, marking the highest level in three months. Over the first eight months of 2025, openings averaged 893,000, underscoring steady demand for labor in the accommodation and foodservices industry—perhaps surprisingly resilient given broader economic uncertainties.

Industry Experts Set Course for Restaurant Technology

As industry-related technology continues to evolve, executives representing several restaurant companies headlined a panel at The Table, the National Restaurant Association’s recent conference in Louisville, KY., to share ideas on how it enhances operational efficiencies.

Same-store Sales and Customer Traffic

Restaurant operators reported mixed sales and traffic results in August

Restaurant operators saw a modest same-store sales increase for the fifth straight month in August. According to the National Restaurant Association, 46% reported higher sales year-over-year — a slight dip from 48% in July — while 43% saw declines, up from 42% the previous month.

Help Improve Small Business Financing in Hawaiʻi

The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, and the State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) is a partner in this effort. Business owners and key financial decision-makers of for-profit businesses, are invited to share your recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, what financial conditions you face, and more.

Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours. Please help us by taking the 12-minute survey today.

Terrifyingly Good Cocktails: Bartenders and Chefs Share Seasonal Libation Recipes for Halloween

Halloween 2025 falls on a Friday, which means bars and restaurants across the country are preparing for one of their busiest nights of the year. While costumes and decorations set the scene, it's the cocktails that truly make or break a Halloween celebration. This year, innovative bartenders and beverage directors are pushing creative boundaries with seasonal libations that combine theatrical presentation with sophisticated flavor profiles.

Food Safety’s Most Wanted: Case Closed

Each September, National Food Safety Month gives us the opportunity to spotlight practices that protect guests, prevent outbreaks and keep restaurants inspection-ready. This year, we took a unique approach: we launched a full-scale investigation into the top four most nororious food safety threats in the industry. We call them Food Safety’s Most Wanted.

Almond Oil’s Breakthrough Moment: Why Food Brands and Retailers Are Betting on This Versatile Ingredient

As innovation in the oils category continues to diversify, almond oil is emerging as a high-performing, value-added ingredient, gaining traction with manufacturers, retailers, and culinary professionals alike. Its mild flavor, low-medium smoke point of 425℉, and heart-healthy nutritional profile make it an attractive alternative to more established oils across a range of applications, including sautéing, roasting, baking, marinating, salad dressings, and drizzling. 

At Any Restaurant, Context Impacts an Inspector’s Focus

During National Food Safety Month, our safety experts advise on making your inspection successful

No two restaurant inspections are exactly alike, and depending on the type of operation, the inspector may focus on different priorities. They may include specialized requirements for health-care-related kitchens or how hot-holding practices are dealt with at operations such as buffet restaurants or cafeterias.

Menu Prices

Rising grocery and menu food costs lift consumer inflation in August

Consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, up from 0.2% in July and slightly above expectations. The increase was led by a 0.5% jump in food prices, the fastest monthly gain since November 2022, fueled by higher grocery costs. Restaurant prices rose 0.3% for the second consecutive month, marking seven straight months of solid growth. Energy prices also contributed, rising 0.7%, with gasoline up 1.9%, continuing their recent volatility.

Restaurant Occupancy Costs Were More Than 5% of Sales in 2024

Restaurants in urban areas devote more of their budget to occupancy costs.

Consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, up from 0.2% in July and slightly above expectations. The increase was led by a 0.5% jump in food prices, the fastest monthly gain since November 2022, fueled by higher grocery costs. Restaurant prices rose 0.3% for the second consecutive month, marking seven straight months of solid growth. Energy prices also contributed, rising 0.7%, with gasoline up 1.9%, continuing their recent volatility.