Source::APN
AP/RSS
Hawaii’s restaurants are having a hard time serving an influx of tourists returning to the islands as pandemic restrictions across the nation ease.
Restaurants in Hawaii are operating at 50% capacity, and Gov. David Ige says that limit will not increase until 60% of residents are fully vaccinated. When that benchmark is met, restaurants will be allowed to operate at 75% capacity. But capacity increases won’t help some restaurants with limited space, Hawaii News Now reported Tuesday.
On Maui, Cool Cat Cafe General Manager Paul Kemp said his restaurant won’t be able to serve many more people until social distancing rules change. “Until we can kind of bring that down a little, 75% isn’t that much difference,” Kemp said. “So, if we can get 6 feet to 3 feet, that’s when everything will really come together for the restaurants and put everything really back to the old norm.”
People are currently waiting about an hour to eat at the cafe, he said. “Almost from open to close right now, we’re on at least somewhat of a wait,” Kemp said. Kemp’s cafe does not take reservations. And restaurants that do take reservations are often booked, sometimes for weeks in advance. “Things are booked out until July 31st, which is insane to me because this is June 8th,” said California visitor Samantha Ornelas.
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