Definite discrimination. Probably racism.
I have been here a few times over the years. Discovered it back before the long lines.
Last 2 visits have been interesting.
The last time was a few months ago. I waited in line, got up to the counter and tried to order some roast pork as I had done before. "No more roast pork". She offered that I could order roast pork as part of a plate lunch but not by the pound. So that's what I did.
I did find it odd that they let people stand in a line 10 people deep without any simple hand written sign or verbal announcement that there was no more of one item. Especially since they only sell about 6 or 7 meats and most people are going there for the roast pork. I did wonder if there was more to the denial but figured small business is difficult and they might have needed to conserve whatever pork they had so that they could sell plate lunches. So I shrugged it off.
Returned again recently and stood in line. Saw a half slab of roast port handing in the display and a whole slab hanging with the ducks in the rear above the stove. So I figured the last experience wouldn't be duplicated. Got up the to counter and the same lady that always runs the counter said, "no more roast pork". I wanted to point out that there was at least a slab and a half but figured its not my business to tell someone how to run their business. If they don't want to sell something, that's up to them.
Unfortunately I drive to Aiea from town for this purchase every time so I changed my order to roast duck as they had plenty of those available. The lady told me I would have to wait. No problem so we sat on the chairs near their work table.
As we sat I began to wonder if maybe it was just me that would not be sold roast pork. So me and my teenage child sat quietly and listened to the orders of those who followed us. The first ordered a duck. The second ordered a roast pork plate. Then the third gentleman ordered 1 pound of roast pork and the lady rang him up with no problem. It was not a telephone order. He said only 1 pound of pork with no name. Others came in to pick up phone orders and gave their name.
I have a Chinese sister in-law who has ordered from this place many times and never had a problem. I have a Japanese friend who was the one who originally told me about this place who also has never had a problem. I am haole in appearance.
The first time, I let it slide. But this time it was clear there was something more sinister going on in this place when their supplies run low. My daughter and I concluded that they must not sell limited menu items to white people (at least white looking people since any true Hawaii local knows you can't tell someone's background by simply looking at them). I'm sure that many will try to defend them by saying they are not doing this out of racism but instead some other less offensive explanation like trying to serve regular customers or "locals" but I won't buy it. The individual who purchased the roast pork soon after I was refused service didn't appear to have any friendly relationship with the lady. It was as cold and impersonal an exchange as any of the rest of the customers I watched at this visit and at previous visits.
I was born in Hawaii and I've lived most of my life in Hawaii and I know this kind of racism is not uncommon, even today, but I have to congratulate Roast Duck Kitchen on being the most blatant display of discrimination that I've seen in Hawaii or anywhere else in a long long time.
I don't have a problem with a business that chooses not to sell me something. However, when a business sells a product to one person but not another based solely on appearance, that is by definition discrimination and in my opinion, in this case, good old fashioned racism.
I do thank the lady at Roast Duck Kitchen that they allowed my teenage daughter to see racism live in front of her eyes. It was an important lesson for her about the world around her. read more