What's happening to Aulani??

[JC1984]

I wondered that too! Maybe they want people to spend more in the restaurants and are trying to discourage people from cooking their own meals

I have heard a lot of people say they don’t have staff to clean the grills. I think most people are intelligent people put some Clorox wipes out there and people can wipe it down .

 

[monsterkitty]

I would think part of the problem is like everywhere else.
Nobody wants to work. Many jobs go infilled I domt get it

We have to remember that before COVID many people working low paying jobs were working 2 or 3 jobs. Now they're not.

People are still working. Just not the same jobs or as many jobs.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

We have to remember that before COVID many people working low paying jobs were working 2 or 3 jobs. Now they're not.

People are still working. Just not the same jobs or as many jobs.

This is definitely the case in Hawaii. Many locals live in poverty and work 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet. HI minimum wage is still at $10.10 per hour, which is crazy low for a state with one of the highest cost of living. This is also one of the main reasons why I'm always scared away from owning Aulani. Local politicians aren't very creative and raising taxes is the only tool in the bag. And if the minimum wage were to rise to $15, most hotels and businesses will probably go bankrupt.

 

[scoobdoo]

I would guess a maintenance issue. That would be a wild cut to save money when the rate per night is so high.

this is a company that fired a resort’s dog mascot and handler to save a buck

 

[alldiz]

We have to remember that before COVID many people working low paying jobs were working 2 or 3 jobs. Now they're not.

People are still working. Just not the same jobs or as many jobs.

I totally hear you!!!
And I wish wages were an actual “living wage”
But how are the people paying their bills now if they had multiple jobs pre Covid ?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[Lilsia]

It's like.... If you have 50 people who like chicken and 100 people who like beef, and 2 people who like sushi, it's pretty obvious that you should convert your sushi bar to a steakhouse. It sucks if you're one of the 2 people who like sushi, but I don't think you can fault the decision.

We have gone twice in June, and both times there were plenty adults in and around the adult pool.

 

[monsterkitty]

I totally hear you!!!
And I wish wages were an actual “living wage”
But how are the people paying their bills now if they had multiple jobs pre Covid ?
Thanks
Kerri

They got higher paying jobs. Several of my students' parents have used the time they weren't working due to COVID to take classes at the community college or train for other positions.

 

[corgi_monster]

I totally hear you!!!
And I wish wages were an actual “living wage”
But how are the people paying their bills now if they had multiple jobs pre Covid ?
Thanks
Kerri

The gap between minimum wage and a living wage is so huge it’s not even funny. A family of 4 in Honolulu that makes $90k is considered low income yet minimum wage is something like $10.10. That‘s just bananas.

Hawaii‘s ethnic majority is Asian and in Asian culture multigenerational living is normal. Sometimes families band together out of financial necessity. But just as often, people continue to live with their parents even when they can afford to move out. 2 siblings + 2 partners + 2 parents with social security/retirement = 6 sources of income, more if the younger adults have multiple jobs. When one person loses one of their jobs, it’s not as hard of a financial hit when you have that many incomes under one roof.

Considering the median single family home price on Oahu is over $1M, I’m guessing families with 1-2 incomes under one roof were less likely to have experienced Covid-related financial difficulties.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I've been out of the loop for a month or two... is it safe to assume that nothing has changed on the reopening front? Still no sign of Aunty's, 'AMA 'AMA, leis, mugs, buffets, or housekeeping?

 

[JC1984]

I've been out of the loop for a month or two... is it safe to assume that nothing has changed on the reopening front? Still no sign of Aunty's, 'AMA 'AMA, leis, mugs, buffets, or housekeeping?

That is correct Captain. I called yesterday to reserve Character Breakfast and asked and the Cast Member confirmed.

 

[TreAntDeu]

That is correct Captain. I called yesterday to reserve Character Breakfast and asked and the Cast Member confirmed.

So like, what is open or modified right now? We are going mid January and I don't really care about the house keeping stuff. But anything else would be great to know.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

So like, what is open or modified right now? We are going mid January and I don't really care about the house keeping stuff. But anything else would be great to know.

AMA AMA is closed.

Aunty's Beach House is closed.

Makahiki (usually a buffet) is a three course plated meal.

Masks indoors.

No flower lei greeting.

No refillable mugs.

Masks indoors.

Pools and beach are pretty normal.

 

[JC1984]

AMA AMA is closed.

Aunty's Beach House is closed.

Makahiki (usually a buffet) is a three course plated meal.

Masks indoors.

No flower lei greeting.

No refillable mugs.

Masks indoors.

Pools and beach are pretty normal.

Don’t forget the grills for the love of God

 

[TreAntDeu]

AMA AMA is closed.

Aunty's Beach House is closed.

Makahiki (usually a buffet) is a three course plated meal.

Masks indoors.

No flower lei greeting.

No refillable mugs.

Masks indoors.

Pools and beach are pretty normal.

Thanks!
Never liked AMA AMA all that much compared to the other fancy places within walking distance like Mina's. So im ok with that

Aunty's was something we dont use(4 adults), so outside of the capacity of children usually being there now being all over the resort, not an issue for me

Makahiki was a favorite, but at least its open. Menu looks ok, so probably still gonna try it out.

No issue with masks for us.

Flower Lei greeting low key sucks for the ppl who have never been. But not a deal breaker for me. I think ill find our old ones and bring them with.

So, no refillable mugs? So you just buy drinks as you want them currently? That stinks. But at least I know.

And for the grills? Are they just closed outright? Seems weird, but tbh we never used them here. When have a 1 bedroom DVC so we will have a kitchen. So not affecting us as hard as others.
.
Last question, is the Ka'waa luau the same? We booked it and I'm curoius about how its different.

 

[TreAntDeu]

So olelo room, the pool bar(and menu), the quick service are all open?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

So olelo room, the pool bar(and menu), the quick service are all open?

Correct, including live music at olelo most (all?) nights.

Not sure if they're doing the roving pool service.

 

[JC1984]

And for the grills? Are they just closed outright? Seems weird, but tbh we never used them here. When have a 1 bedroom DVC so we will have a kitchen. So not affecting us as hard as others.

They are closed because they have no one to clean them. Same with the fitness center. Oh and the adult pool is not adult only anymore

 

[TreAntDeu]

They are closed because they have no one to clean them. Same with the fitness center. Oh and the adult pool is not adult only anymore

So fitness center closed too?

 

[corgi_monster]

Correct, including live music at olelo most (all?) nights.

Not sure if they're doing the roving pool service.

There is service by the pool but it can be shoddy unless you have a cabana. The servers are hustling, but there’s not enough of them.

The gym closed for a bit but it’s now open

 

[JC1984]

The gym closed for a bit but it’s now open

When did this happen? I don’t remember seeing that it reopened.