HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawai‘i restaurants are once again feeling the strain of short staffing as the holiday season brings both higher demand and fewer available workers.
Mike Palmer, chairman of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, said staffing challenges are nothing new, especially in Waikiki, but this year has been especially difficult.
“The staffing is… it’s always a challenge in Hawai‘i, especially in Waikiki,” Palmer said.
While diners are out spending and eating again, Palmer said a slowdown in tourism earlier this fall forced many restaurants to cut hours and reduce full-time positions.
“A lot of restaurants have cut back on staffing… tourism and sales have been down,” he said. “People who were getting full-time hours get hours cut, then they go look for a second job.”
At Shore Fyre in the International Market Place, general manager Chad Soudelier said the holidays bring a familiar seasonal hurdle: student workers heading back to the mainland.
“We have a lot of college students that live on the mainland, so most of them want to go visit family,” Soudelier said. “That’s where we have a lot of shortages right now.”
Those who stay behind are feeling the pressure. Hostess Kindrah Nelson said she expected to be off for Christmas, but may now have to work overtime and double shifts.
“I was one of the first people to call off for Christmas, but now I might be having to work overtime and doubles,” she said.
Nelson added that the high cost of living is making the situation even tougher for many hospitality workers.
“We’re fishing a lot, so most of our groceries come from the ocean and rice,” she said. “He works three jobs, I work two jobs, I DoorDash, and I’m a student trying to get my degree.”
Restaurant owners say staffing levels should improve once students return after the holidays. For now, they’re relying on whoever can pick up extra shifts.
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