PO‘IPU — “When the visitors come back” was the most common answer to questions posed by the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort furloughed employees, Wednesday during the food distribution that was a partnership between the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort and the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank.
“I got to overhear some of the questions being asked by the employees,” said Kelvin Moniz, the KIFB executive director. “Those Sheraton people had some hard questions to answer. Listening to those questions was so touching.”
More than half of the budgeted food packages were gone within the first 30 minutes of the drive-through distribution where the employees were wearing face masks, and did not have to leave their cars to accept the packages that included a variety of canned goods, ground beef, bread, eggs, and a case of saimin.
Volunteers from the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i and the East Kaua‘i Lions Club made short work of packaging and distributing the 100 food packages.
Employees were greeted by volunteers from the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort and guided through the drive-through with ample time to have their questions answered and greeting their associates, many of whom they haven’t seen in nearly a year since the resort was shut down from the pandemic.
“They really want to come back to work,” Moniz said. “They wonder how come some places are providing work for jobs like cleaning the toilets and they’re still waiting. The Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank took that into consideration when we put together the food package. They’re hurting.”
Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort manager Chip Bahouth added that in addition to needing food, the employees are worried about health insurance since a lot of the hotels are discontinuing coverage, or are on the verge of discontinuing medical coverage.
“I was ready to retire, too,” Bahouth said. “But between my wife and myself, medical coverage would amount to about $3,000 a month. I’m still working. A lot of the employees are in that same boat.”
He said Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort is currently open to only owners of time shares.
I would love to know why the Sheraton has not applied to become a “resort bubble”. Is the management afraid of subjecting their employees and the few timeshare owners who manage to get there without a quarantine requirement to being exposed to those who are required to quarantine? Good for them!
Now what about 8 competing resorts which are, or scheduled to become, “Resort Bubbles”?
How are these Resort Bubble properties safeguarding their employees, other non-quarantine resort guests, timeshare owners, and long-term residents against exposure to free-to-roam on property guests required to quarantine?
And the other 18 resorts/hotels/motels who can quarantine guests who must remain in their room for the duration with no need for a GPS bracelet? How are they ensuring that the guest remains in their room?
And why are all TVRs, even when owners live on site, prohibited from allowing guests to quarantine in their accommodation, which usually has a kitchen for food preparation?
I am not sure what is going on here, but it sure seems like a big benefit to resort corporations which are headquartered on the mainland and a slap in the face of locally owned hotels/motels/resorts and TVRs.
It is such a sad environment on Kauai right now. All the other islands are open except Kauai. The local government on Kauai is slowly killing not only the working people but also every store and entrepreneur on the island. You can bet the Mayor is still getting paid. And doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing to everyone else who lives here.
Oh wow, I really feel sad for the GM Chip Bahouth when he whines about not being able to retire because of his health insurance premium! He has a mega six figure salary and owns plenty property in Kauai and Oahu! What about the employees who had their jobs eliminated and lost health insurance over night? He could give a crap about his employees. Does anyone really believe he cares? He lies and only cares about his paycheck and bonus