Honolulu's office demand is concentrated downtown. CBRE put Class A vacancy in the Downtown CBD at 6.8% in early 2026, against 19.5% in the Kapiolani corridor and 29.9% in West Honolulu, and downtown led the island in net absorption in the second quarter at 36,000 square feet. The other big daytime crowds are at the hospitals. Queen's Health Systems and Hawaii Pacific Health are the state's two largest private employers, with about 9,452 and 7,439 workers. The caterers line up accordingly. 1132 Cafe & Catering delivers on foot around downtown and Memoirs Hawaii is on Merchant Street. Yama's Fish Market and Kahai Street Kitchen sit in Moiliili, Haili's is in Kapahulu and Aloha Culinary Group is in Kaimuki. Highway Inn, A Catered Experience and Marian's cook out in Waipahu, Waipio and Wahiawa.
Four of these caterers publish real prices. 1132 Cafe lists boxed lunches at $13.95, $15.45 and $19.65, an all-day meeting service at $29.50 per person, and an 8 person catering minimum. Highway Inn posts a $16.99 sandwich box, a $27.99 bento box and buffet packages from $19.99 per person for 50 or more guests, with a 20 serving minimum. Yama's Fish Market prices by the pan, like Shoyu Chicken at $73.65 for a small pan that feeds 12 to 20. A Catered Experience lists staffing fees but not food. If you'd rather order without a call, Yama's, A Catered Experience and Marian's take orders online. Chef Chai, Memoirs, Aloha Culinary Group, The Catering Connection, Gourmet Events Hawaii and L&L use quote forms, and Haili's and Kahai Street Kitchen go by phone or email.
A few Oahu specifics. Hawaii's general excise tax is 4.5% on Oahu and businesses can pass on up to 4.712%, which is exactly what Yama's and A Catered Experience add to the bill. Delivery is usually priced by distance. 1132 Cafe charges $5 downtown, $15 from Hawaii Kai to the airport and $25 beyond, while Highway Inn delivers free on orders of $2,000 and up and charges $125 if its driver sets up your chafers. Lead times are a week at Highway Inn and Yama's but two days at 1132 Cafe. Haili's, Memoirs and Gourmet Events Hawaii are full-service outfits. The Hawaii Convention Center is on a modified schedule through 2027 while it's renovated. We couldn't load Hale Aina Caterers' website, so call them directly.