The Maui Safer Outside rules served up a lot more than they anticipated.
“My staff is freaking out about it, like they’re crying, they’re in tears, they’re getting yelled at by customers,” said Javier Barberi, Down the Hatch and Mala Tavern owner. “We’ve had people that, when we asked them about checking their vaccine passport, they’ll get super upset. They’ll cause a big scene, they’ll call us names or say that we’re racist.”
The situation got to the point where the restaurant had to protect its employees.
“We have to hire extra security at Down the Hatch. We have an aloha ambassador that has to stand there, and we have to pay them. We have to train them and tell them what to do and what to look for,” explained Barberi.
Under Maui Safer Outside, unvaccinated customers have the option to eat in outdoor dining areas, but customers must show proof of vaccination for indoor seating.
However, under Safe Access Oahu, customers must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test for both indoor and outdoor dining.
(FOX - Honolulu)