Waikiki businesses look to rebound after challenging week

After several days of rolling road closures, APEC security zones and sluggish sales, many Waikiki businesses were back in business Monday and smiling.  The concrete barriers and fencing we saw last week have been replaced with foot traffic and hungry customers.  What a difference a day makes.

"Today everyone is smiling.  I mean we’re happy, it’s all back to normal," said Damian Zukeran, Assistant Manager at Eggs ‘N Things.

Back to normal after the Great Wall of Saratoga came down.

"The Great Wall of Saratoga yes, apparently now its cleared up and business is picking back up here," said Oliver Seguin of Kimo Bean Coffee.

This is what Saratoga looked like last week after concrete barriers and fencing were put in place.  Businesses near the secured zone saw sales shrink significantly, even at world-famous Eggs ‘N Things.

"I think we were 20 percent down just around there maybe a little bit more," said Zukeran.

But on Sunday the wall came down and on Monday the empty benches were filled with hungry customers.

"Waikiki is back to normal, they finally got all those terrible barriers down and I guess we’re okay again," said Zukeran.

  "Things are looking great, everything is coming back to normal," added Seguin.  "Breath of fresh air for everyone here."

  "It’s been a long weekend but we seem to be clearing up really nice.  Foot traffic and the pedestrians seem to be enjoying the sidewalk again," added Jamal Mamalias of Kimo Bean Coffee.
 
  The owner of Ao Anela closed the store for three days because business had come to a crawl.  When asked if they reviewed how much they were down.

  "No we’re too scared!" said Ao Anela General Manager Patti Taki-Yajima.
  
  State crews were busy removing the remaining concrete barriers near Fort DeRussy.  Military personnel did the same on the beach; a welcome sight for beach rental companies that were also hit extremely hard.

  "Definitely we lost a lot of business with the rentals and everything but finally getting it out of here so we can get everything rented again," said Mark Johnson of Waikiki Shore Beach Service.  "We got our kayaks and stuff back today so it’s looking good."

  A positive spirt for what’s been a challenging week. Their message to everyone:

  "Waikiki is open," said Zukeran.

  "Yes stop everybody is welcome," said Taki-Yajima.

  The U.S. Secret Service says the agency does not reimburse businesses that are forced to shut down.