Press
Local, State and National news about the Hawaii Restaurant Association and its members.
KHON2 – July 8, 2026 – Electricity bills see a spike in the summer months
WAIKIKI, Oahu (KHON2) — Electricity is noticeably more expensive for some. “Oh yeah, not just in store, but in our personal homes as well,” said Leilani Bushey, manager at Waikiki Beachside Bistro, when asked about seeing a rise in prices. HECO said the average...
KHON2 – July 1, 2026 – Know the rules: Hawaii’s new cash rounding law
HONOLULU (KHON2) — That extra penny at the register could disappear — or appear — depending on the math. A new law aimed at easing headaches caused by a nationwide penny shortage took effect in Hawaii on Wednesday, July 1. Businesses are now allowed to round up or...
KHON2 – June 16, 2026 – La Tour Cafe Kapolei to close its doors on June 30th
KAPOLEI, Hawaii (KHON2) — June 30th will be the last day to grab a bite to eat at La Tour Cafe Kapolei. In a Monday social media post, the European fast-casual restaurant thanked the local community for a decade of memories, friendships, and support while sharing the...
KHON2 – June 11, 2026 – Hawaii restaurants ready for World Cup crowds
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The 2026 World Cup has kicked off and restaurants in the Islands are hoping the tournament will be a game-changer for business. Those in the industry said they hope to draw in crowds after a slow spring. “Three and a half, four billion people follow...
Hawaii News Now – June 11, 2026 – Worst summer hiring season for teens? Not for Hawaii restaurants that need workers
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Federal data shows U.S. businesses aren’t hiring as many teens this summer as they used to. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says teen unemployment jumped more than a percent to 14.7% from this time last year, while a report by employment firm...
KHON2 – May 7, 2026 – Busy outlook for crucial Mother’s Day for recovering businesses
HONOLULU (KHON2) — It’s a busy week going into Mother’s Day. The restaurant and flower industry both said they’re prepared for the busy holiday, but this year, that business is a little extra important, as they’re still recovering from a stormy spring....
Hawaii News Now – May 5, 2026 – From flights to food, Hawaii residents feel the pressure of rising fuel costs
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Travelers who rely on Mokulele Airlines are feeling the impacts of rising fuel costs. The company increased fares by an average of $10 per seat on Monday....
KHON2 – March 17, 2026 – Some Hawaii businesses taking big losses from Kona Low
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The lights are still out for thousands across Hawaii, and the cost is adding up. https://www.khon2.com/local-news/hawaii-power-outage-losses/
KHON2 – March 4, 2026 – Bill looks to prohibit use of forever chemical PFAs in food ware entirely
Bill looks to prohibit use of forever chemical PFAs in food ware entirely https://www.khon2.com/hawaiilegislature/pfas-ban-bill-hawaii/









