It is strange to see Danny Meyer, well-known New York City restaurateur and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, appear in an article about the federal minimum wage and workers in restaurants he likely never sets foot in, and yet there he is. This is because Danny Meyer, the man behind Union Square Café, Shake Shack and Gramercy Tavern, among others, has set out to eliminate tipping at all of his restaurants, beginning with The Modern and followed by the remaining 12, by the end of 2016. 

Chef Jon Matsubara is chef de cuisine at Japengo in Waikiki, an Asian fusion restaurant serving island classics and seasonal tasting menus. He said Hawaiian food has seen positive change during his career. “We are using more local ingredients than ever before and have been able to share our progress through various social media channels,” he said. “I am equally excited and honored to play an active role in the Hawaiian food movement.”