HONOLULU (KHON2) – Wedding industry workers gathered outside Honolulu Hale Thursday morning calling on Mayor Blangiardi to allow the industry to resume operations below Tier 3.
Nearly 50 wedding industry workers gathered, holding signs and waving at passers-by on a rainy Thursday morning.
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“We can work safely,” read some of the signs.
Courtesy of Kuldip Shergill, Crichton Uale, and Taryn Magalianes
Courtesy of Kuldip Shergill, Crichton Uale, and Taryn Magalianes
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced eased restrictions on restaurants, gyms and bars on Thursday March 11th. Weddings, a billion dollar industry for Hawaii prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, were not included in the decision, however.
Weddings are currently not allowed to have more than 10 people, but several wedding vendors and industrial workers say this is not enough.
“A lot of stores have opened. I’m happy for you. I think what is frustrating for our industry is that we see a lot of parallels. Luaus and funerals can accommodate any number of people, but we can’t, ”said Crichton Uale, a wedding DJ and MC.
“These are fathers and mothers, families trying to make ends meet, putting food on the table and doing their best to take care of the children. They’re all fighting together, not just as a company, but as families, ”added Kuldip Shergill, who is also in charge of weddings.
Hawaii’s wedding industry “decimated” by pandemic standstill
Mayor Blangiardi stepped out of his office to speak to several workers and hear their concerns.
“My heart goes out to the people in the wedding industry who have been affected by the pandemic and whose businesses have been affected,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “The feeling is that weddings are celebrations and social gatherings where people gather and chat in close proximity, which can lead to the spread of the virus. I am not giving up on the subject, however, and I believe there is a way for the wedding industry to operate in a safe manner. The industry also needs to know that there cannot be rogue events with large numbers of people as it will affect the chances of advancement. “
The mayor says the concern about allowing weddings is the social aspect.
“The mayor came right out and it was beautiful because he came out right in the middle and everyone around him and it was just a dialogue. We felt heard. We hope that something will be done at this point at the end of the day, ”said Shergill.
Blangiardi said his government would continue talks with the state on the possibility of easing restrictions on the industry, but added that the community must do its part to prevent improper social gatherings. He said people should continue to practice safely, such as wearing a mask, keeping their distance, and washing their hands.
“We do not ask for weddings with 1000 people. We want to be able to hold small events. We want to be able to free ourselves from debt. We have been in favor of reopening since March last year, saying, “We’re going to make room, we’re going to be two meters apart, we’re going to keep it at five per table, everyone is going to do temperature checks, but let’s do it. ” ‘Said Uale.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health released its latest cluster report highlighting three social gatherings believed to be responsible for 31 positive COVID-19 cases on Oahu.
“Hearing about the clusters associated with social gatherings is troubling because it shows that people are giving up their vigilance and not taking the situation seriously enough,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “Ultimately, the state would have to approve easing restrictions or permitting wedding activities, but that’s less likely if there are clusters related to gatherings.”