Honoring Hawai`i's Restaurateurs

The Governor shared that the restaurant industry is on track to generate $3.1 billion in revenues this year.

"We're entering a challenging time," said Governor Lingle. "We're going to meet the challenge and come out even stronger, and a big part of our ability to do that is that success of you and this industry."

Governor Lingle also noted the importance of the industry's political involvement, citing two key examples where restaurateurs, through the association's leadership, made a difference for local employees and businesses. 

"You've made a difference on the one hand by getting a good law passed which lowered your unemployment insurance tax rates, and you've helped by stopping a bad law from going into effect," the Governor said.

The Hawai`i Restaurant Association (HRA) supported the Lingle-Aiona Administration's work to lower the state's unemployment insurance tax, resulting in $151 million in savings for Hawai`i businesses over three years.

HRA also joined with the Administration, Hawai`i Hotel Association, agriculture industry and the Chamber of Commerce in opposing the "card check" bill passed by the Legislature in the 2008 session and vetoed by the Governor.

The bill would have eliminated a worker's right to a secret ballot election when deciding whether or not to have union representation in the workplace.

"It's not good for the industry, it's not good for your business and it's not fair for employees to take away the most basic of American rights – and that is the right to a secret ballot," the Governor said.

Incorporated in Hawai`i on September 15, 1947, the Hawai`i Restaurant Association is the professional association of the restaurant and food service industry in the state. In addition to representing the industry's legislative concerns, the HRA works to educate its members on ways to operate efficiently, safely and profitably, and to promote quality and professionalism in the industry.

• Read a transcript of the Governor's remarks.