Rising food, shipping, and insurance costs plus fewer tourists are squeezing Hawaii restaurants, which is bad for local owners, workers, and diners facing higher prices.

• Big City Diner is closing its Windward Mall location after 11 years, with some staff moved to other restaurants.
• Shipping costs to Hawaii have jumped 80% over five years, hitting small family-run places hardest.
• Tourism is down and the usually reliable off-season has been unusually weak, so less money is flowing through the community.
• Health and liability insurance, minimum wage, and utility bills are all climbing at once.
• Owners are cutting hours, adding self-order kiosks, and pushing off-peak specials before raising menu prices as a last resort.

Outlook: The Hawaii Restaurant Association expects more closures if costs stay high and visitor numbers do not pick up.