Isle restaurants are being ordered to halt tip pooling, the practice of having servers share tips with nontipped kitchen staff.

The move is a result of a recent 9th Circuit Court ruling, which will force restaurant owners to find alternatives to compensate back-of-the-house, or kitchen, staff. Highway Inn, which serves Hawaiian food at three Oahu locations, has implemented a new 5 percent “kitchen service fee” on customer checks. Some eateries prefer no-tipping policies, and increase menu prices and wages.

Restaurant operators who fail to comply can be ordered to pay back wages and damages — so it’s best for restaurants to put the issue on the front burner.

Vandalism at comfort stations is discomforting

It’s frustrating, but something needs to be done. After vandals destroyed one of three Keehi Lagoon Beach park bathrooms late Wednesday, city officials announced they are looking into installing security cameras along the ceilings of the park’s restrooms.

One of three comfort stations at Keehi Lagoon, heavily used by canoe paddlers and other park visitors, was destroyed by fire. Mayor Kirk Caldwell instructed city officials to research locating security cameras at restrooms at Keehi Lagoon and other parks. Police reported a drop in vandalism after cameras were installed at a Hans L’Orange Park restroom. Let’s hope vandals don’t destroy the new cameras.