Kokua for Sunrise Restaurant

WE DID IT!

This past week has been overwhelming and heartwarming! So many people stepped up to save Sunrise Restaurant from having to close their doors at the end of the month! The original goal of $15,000 has been designated to settle the 3 months of back rent + May rent owed to the landlord, the money raised over that amount is for upcoming rent payments. Sunrise can now sign a new 3-year lease agreement and continue to serve delicious cuisine and be a gathering place for the community. The $15,000 took care of the immediate crisis but they are not out of the woods yet. 

SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE: The new lease stipulates that if Sunrise is ever late paying rent again, the lease will be immediately terminated. We have come up with a two part plan to safeguard Sunrise in light of that:

1) We want to give Sunrise a financial safety net for the future and time to implement changes so they are never in this situation again. To do this, I am setting a goal of $50,000. I will not be organizing any more fundraisers for Sunrise, this is it. The goal has been met, so I have ended this gofundme. 

I want to repeat that the immediate and urgent need to save Sunrise has been met. This additional fundraising was to give them a safety net for upcoming rent payments (which has increased by $200), cover any unexpected business costs, and give them time to work out a plan for what needs to be reworked and changed so they can not just survive but thrive. We want to help them get to a place where they can handle unexpected emergency expenses, repairs, the increased cost of EVERYTHING, and whatever else life throws at them. 

2) Planning for the future. A circle of specialists have volunteered their expertise and time to help strengthen and help Sunrise Restaurant not just survive but thrive. 

HOW CAN YOU STILL HELP?

- Help activate the “Coconut Wireless” and remind people that Sunrise has great Okinawan food and lively entertainment.

- Go eat! Dine in or take out from Sunrise Restaurant regularly and support this wonderful family run restaurant. 

 

 

********************** ORIGINAL POST ************************

One of Hawaii's Okinawan restaurants is on the verge of having to shut down and go out of business. We are asking for your kokua to save Sunrise Restaurant and help keep its doors open.

 

Sunrise Restaurant is three months behind on rent. Their landlord has been accommodating in the past by waiving late charges and not raising the rent last year. Given that they are long-time tenants, the landlord is giving them one last chance to settle their debt and keep the business open. Sunrise must pay the balance of rent plus May ($13,314) by April 30th.

If they make the payment, they will be able to continue with a three-year lease agreement. If Sunrise cannot make the April 30th payment, Sunrise will have to shut its doors.

 

We are setting a goal of $15,000, so Sunrise can make its payment on April 30th and keep its doors open. Any money raised above that will be used to help them cover subsequent rent to give them time to get back on their feet.

 

For 23 years, Sunrise has been an important gathering place for the Hawaii Okinawan community and those who want to experience Okinawan cuisine and music. For them to close their doors (so soon after Hide-Chan shuts down) would be heartbreaking and a significant loss for the community.

 

The pandemic was particularly rough for Sunrise. With Chokatsu operating the kitchen and sushi counter and Tomoko running the front of house, this mom-and-pop operation had to quickly learn how to use social media to communicate with their customers and adapt their menu to be more suited for take-out. Their specialty was in-person, family-style dining. On the first day, the city shut down dine-in and switched to take-out only; in 6 hours, Chokatsu said he only had one take-out order. It has been a struggle, but throughout the pandemic, with the support of many wonderful people, Sunrise was able to make enough money to cover their bills.

 

So what happened to get Sunrise to this situation? When the second peak of COVID cases hit Hawaii, it impacted their business and made it extremely hard for them to keep up with their bills. Unfortunately, a number of unforeseen expenses, such as a necessary repair to the fire suppression system, all happened simultaneously, and they fell behind.

 

In March, with dine-in and take-out customers, business has picked up a lot. So what they need now is help getting through this period and a safety net until things are back to normal. Sunrise has served as a community gathering place to entertain special guests and bring together friends and family for a true Okinawan experience. Sunrise holds a special place in our communityʻs heart, so letʻs rally to help save this restaurant that nourishes our body and soul.

 

How can you help?

 

Mahalo nui loa and Ippei nifee deebiru! - Shari Tamashiro