HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The Food and Drug Administration said dogs in outdoor dining areas do not pose a threat to public health, but Hawaii law still bans pups that are not service animals from lanai-style dining areas.
The Hawaii Restaurant Association said rules for dogs in dining areas are a bit of a lose-lose for restaurants -- If a restaurant bans pets, animal lovers will not eat there.
"The other side of it is, well, we have guests, guests who are allergic to maybe the dander or something. So because they're allergic and they see a dog in the restaurant, they're not going to come back," said Sheryl Matsuoka, HRA executive director.
Service animals are allowed in restaurants by law, but the proposed rule change would allow pet dogs to stay beside their owner -- as long as they are restrained -- at outdoor dining spaces.
Some local eateries already have that standard, like Aloha Beer Co.
"If it's a question of just making it official, I think we should absolutely do it. Set more clear parameters in place. As far as we know, we only allow dogs in the open-air areas," said Aloha Beer Co. marketing director Candice Ishikawa said.
They even have a dog-friendly menu, one item consists of a chopped chicken bowl with vegetables, bacon bits and an egg yolk.
"And then we also have our pupsicles, and that is our blended frozen fruits and it comes in a little shape of a paw, and also a dollop of whipped cream," Ishikawa said.
The rule change would not require pets to be allowed in outdoor dining spaces, but it would give restaurants the choice to legally allow them.
The Dept. of Health said there will be a virtual hearing on Thursday, Dec. 12 for the public to weigh in on dogs in outdoor dining spaces and other food safety regulation changes. Health officials said they will consider those comments and send recommendations to the governor for his signature.
"I really feel that the restaurants, you know, they're businessmen. They know what's best. They know their community. Let the business make the decision," Matsuoka said.
"On a really busy day, we might have upwards of even 8 to 10 dogs. And you know, you'd be surprised. There's no crazy barking or peeing or anything like that they're all really great and well-behaved," Ishikawa said, "I kind of was under the impression that it was already allowed, you know, across establishments in open air areas."