Hawaii Restaurant Association

The state economy continues to show a strong recovery this year as tourism numbers rival 2019. But despite gains in visitor activity, there continue to be challenges for service industries such as restaurants and breweries. HPR's Casey Harlow has more.

Greg Maples, chairman of the Hawaiʻi Restaurant Association, says a return to restaurant restrictions would be devastating for the industry. Maples says tourists are tuning into COVID messaging from local officials, so their words do matter.

The state implemented a COVID vaccine and testing requirement for its employees last week. Now, more businesses are considering a vaccine mandate for their employees. But it's still a mixed picture.

HILO — Some Hawaii restaurant owners have come out against a proposed bill to place a 2-cent tax on each fluid ounce of sugar-sweetened beverages sold in…

Hawaii's businesses are still reeling from eight months of the COVID economy — and bracing themselves fo rmore. And in the restaurant industry, that's…