Oahu diners should be served water only upon their request

Question: A friend recently went to a Hono­lulu restaurant; printed on the menu was the advisory that “Hawaii state law prohibits water being served to diners unless specifically requested.” I’ve heard of this in mainland states where drought conditions were prevalent or threatening, but not recently here. Is this Hawaii state law?

Answer: No, it’s not state law, but this rule does apply on Oahu, by authority of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.

“Per your inquiry, there is no state law that prohibits water being served to restaurant diners unless specifically requested. However, on Oahu, in an effort to preserve and protect our finite water resources, the BWS adopted a rule that prohibits automatic serving of water in Oahu restaurants. It can be found in Chap. 2, Section 2-209-5 of our Rules and Regulations, effective Jan. 1, 1992,” said Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui, a spokeswoman for the board.

The BWS doesn’t monitor restaurants for compliance, but it does follow up on reports of automatic water service, which can be called in at 748-5041, the agency’s water conservation hotline, she said.

The rule “restricts the serving of drinking water to any customer unless expressly requested at any restaurant, hotel, cafe, cafeteria, or other place where food is sold, served or offered for sale.” Staff may serve water upon request or ask whether customers want water and serve it to those who do. The restriction does not apply to catered groups of 25 people or more. Violations may carry a $50 fine or even discontinuation of water service under the rule, which is rarely enforced.

Gregg Fraser, executive director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, said he doesn’t know of any restaurant that’s been fined for a violation, describing the industry’s cooperation with a rule that he said makes environmental and business sense.

Restaurants strive to use water wisely in every applicable aspect of their operations, he said. “We try not to waste it in the kitchen; we don’t want to have sprayers running in the sink unless dishes are being washed. … We think about it with customer service, too. Why serve something that’s not wanted? It will go to waste. Plus, if you’re bringing a glass of water, that’s a beverage you’re not selling,” he said.

Every water glass served takes another two glasses full to wash and rinse, according to the BWS, which emphasizes that restaurants and other food-service companies can lower their water and sewer bills by conserving water.

Hawaii’s other counties also encourage water conservation in this manner, Fraser said, although we could not find a rule as explicit as Oahu’s.

“We need to talk about conservation on many levels,” he said. “If it’s not on people’s minds, then it needs to be.”

Q: What’s the “mail by” date from Hawaii to the mainland for Christmas gifts this year?

A: Dec. 15 for First Class/Priority Mail and Dec. 20 for Priority Express, via the U.S. Postal Service.

Q: Can I buy pepper spray?

A: If you are 18 or older and buy it from a licensed retailer, according to the Hono­lulu Police Department. It’s legal to use pepper spray in self-defense, to protect others or to protect property, the department says on its website. The level of force used must be justified, according to state law.

Mahalo

A very belated mahalo to Manoa property owners on East Manoa Road, from Huapala Street to Kahaloa Drive and beyond, for trimming back their hedges (primarily mock orange) behind the sidewalk property line! It allows us to walk in pairs (rather than single file) or not have to step aside for on coming pedestrians. — Regular senior walkers

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.