Executive Director’s Message

Hawaii Restaurant Association – Hawaii Lodging, Hospitality and Foodservice Expo

On July 12th and 13th, 2017 the Hawaii Lodging, Hospitality and Foodservice Expo was held at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall and Arena. This event, the largest of its kind in the State, was the perfect opportunity for hoteliers and restaurateurs to see all the new products and services the industry has to offer. With over 500 vendor booths, there was no shortage of interesting items to sample and consider for purchase.

This year the Hawaii Restaurant Association had a new feature to the Expo, The HRA Pavilion. This brand new addition featured a number of members of the Association hosting vendor booths. This allowed us to display some of our many partnerships that we have in the Food Service Industry in Hawaii.

The mission of the HRA Pavilion is to bring industry people together for a common goal, to strengthen our industry here in Hawaii. With many of us working together, we can better address the concerns that impact our day to day operations and the profitability of our businesses.

The HRA Pavilion also showcased the main benefits of being a member of the Hawaii Restaurant Association; we had representation from our Legislative Advocacy committee, displays from our Annual Events team, showing off our Hall of Fame Dinner and Employee Appreciation and Excellence Awards event. In addition to everything else, the HRA Pavilion introduced the Hawaii Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The HRAEF, through a program called ProStart, is currently working with 12 public High Schools on three islands.

The ProStart program is a Culinary and Food Service Management curriculum that also offers mentoring, paid internships, scholarships and State and National competitions. This program was developed by the National Restaurant Association and is offered in all 50 states….now.

The Educational Foundation and ProStart will assist in addressing one of our industries biggest problems, qualified employees. We realize that this won’t happen overnight, but we have to do what we can to support our industry.

Mahalo to everyone that supported, attended and utilized the Expo as a means to better their business..

If you would like to be a part of supporting the Hawaii Foodservice Industry, please contact us.

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.

 

Gregg Fraser

Executive Director
Hawaii Restaurant Association
808-944-9105

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