Reaction mixed Joe's on the Green restaurateur Caroline Frederiksen says she expects to lose some money as a result of a smoking ban in Kauai eateries.
on smoking bans
Some Maui and Kauai
restaurateurs say it will
benefit their businessesBy Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.comBut on Maui, Curtis Takaoka, of Tasty Crust Restaurant, said he does not feel a smoking ban will have much effect on his business.
New restaurant smoking ordinances take effect today on Kauai and Maui.
Some business owners feel the counties should stop making decisions affecting their businesses, while a number are welcoming the change.
Mandi Muramoto, a manager at Barbecue Inn on Kauai, said she thinks the smoking ban will help her restaurant.
"It's going to be better because a lot of people wait for the nonsmoking side," Muramoto said. "I'm a smoker, but personally, for the restaurant, I think it's a good idea."
Under the Kauai County ordinance, smoking will be prohibited in eating establishments but not in outdoor dining areas, stand-alone bars and nightclubs.
Kauai previously had a ban on smoking in designated areas such as conference rooms with 10 or more people but did not have a ban on smoking in restaurants.
The new Kauai ordinance also provides an exemption for businesses that have a bar and a restaurant with limited serving hours, such as golf course clubhouses. This kind of limited Kauai eateries must ban smoking while meals are being offered, but smoking would be allowed when the kitchen is closed.
The penalty for a violation is $15.
The Maui County ordinance imposes a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars in restaurants, but not stand-alone bars.
Maui, Lanai and Molokai previously allowed smoking in designated areas of restaurants.
The penalty for a violation, now $10 to $25, will rise and range from $25 to $50.
Passage of the ordinances followed testimony from state health officials, saying scientific evidence shows secondhand tobacco smoke can increase the chances of lung cancer, heart disease and other respiratory problems.
Dr. Lorrin Pang, state health administrator on Maui, said the health cost related to tobacco in Hawaii is estimated at about $360 million a year.
On Oahu, where an amended ordinance took effect July 1, the city bans smoking in restaurants but allows smoking in restaurant bars until June 30 if they are separately enclosed and ventilated. The Oahu ordinance also allows smoking in outdoor dining areas.
Hawaii County is considering similar ordinances.
A Big Island bill introduced by Hilo Councilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd would ban smoking in restaurants, nightclubs, bars and bowling alleys.
Leithead-Todd's Bill 260 is in the Council's Human Services and Economic Development Committee.
Frederiksen said business is already difficult, especially with the United States planning to go to war with Iraq. She said she has talked with Canadians who have said they will not return because of the smoking ban.
"It's going to cost business in my bar," she said. "I don't like it. I think the island will lose tourism."
Steven Burgelin, part-owner of Casanova Italian Restaurant & Deli in Makawao, Maui, said he is in favor of the smoking ban not only in restaurants, but also in bars.
Burgelin said he has heard positive comments from his customers about the smoking ban. "They said, 'You know what? I'm going to take this opportunity to quit,'" he said.