17-05-2025
Businesses doing what they can as effects from tariffs expected to hit soon
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Tariffs with China are on temporary hold, but that doesn't mean we won't feel its effects. From groceries to restaurants, many businesses say costs of goods are already skyrocketing and they're doing what they can to stay afloat.
John Scott of John's World Famous Hawaii Hot Dogs has been in business for a while, but is not immune from negative economic impacts.
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'We're known for the best hot dogs in Hawaii,' Scott said. 'Been doing this for nearly 20 years. Served every country around the world. Over and over we get repeat customers.'
But business has been getting tougher. Scott says his food costs have tripled over the past few years. And that's not taking into account tariffs, which he says should hit his business soon.
'So it's kinda hard to keep it low as prices go up, so we may have to do an incremental increase, but I try my best to keep prices as low as I can,' Scott Walmart, the world's largest retailer, says it's set to raise prices this summer because of tariffs.
'You know, it's not a surprise,' said Tina Yamaki of Retail Merchants of Hawaii. 'Anytime you touch retail, there's only so much that the business can absorb. And a lot of times it's passed on to the consumer, whether it's tariffs or government mandates or shipping costs or just rising prices. It's a tough business to be in right now.'
Experts say tariffs affect all businesses at all price points from budget to extravagant. At Empire Steakhouse, owner Jack Sinanaj refuses to pass his rising costs on to his customers.
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'Actually what we do, we take ourselves losses, you know, it's slice thin like a razor to make money,' Sinanaj said. 'It's very tough. But how long we can continue like this.'
Empire features an extensive wine and scotch bar, burgers and Japanese wagyu which is subject to a 24 percent tariff. Sinanaj says now is not the time for that, because no matter if you're set up in the parking lot or in the penthouse, all businesses are just trying to survive.
'It's a wait and see,' Yamaki said. 'And I wish I had a crystal ball to tell you it's going to be over next week, but I can't.'
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