D.K. Steakhouse and Sansei Waikiki

Question

We were at Halekulani over Labor Day and in chatting with the concierge, who is a friend, was told that D.K. Steakhouse and Sansei Waikiki suddenly and permanently closed over the weekend. The concierge was shocked as they had several friends/contacts at each. who were earning pretty good livings.

Have not heard an explanation. I hope the hotel was given a heads up so they could start working on replacements.

Answer

Good question — yes: based on recent public statements from the operator D.K. Restaurant Group, the restaurants and have indeed closed permanently.

Here’s what is known — and what remains unclear — about the closure, and some context for what may have prompted it.

✅ Confirmed closure

The D.K. Restaurants website recently updated to state: “It is with bittersweet emotions that we announce the closure of Sansei Waikiki and d.k Steakhouse.”
Several restaurant listing and review sites now mark d.k Steakhouse as “Permanently Closed.”

⚠️ What we don’t know (officially)

The closure notice from D.K. Restaurant Group does not provide a public explanation or detailed reason for shutting the two locations.
Despite the closure, there has been no formal public statement (as of latest available information) outlining plans for replacement restaurants, successors, or what will become of the physical space inside the hotel/resort where they operated.

📌 Context & related issues in recent years

The parent company faced a labor-law violation case in 2022: the U.S. Department of Labor found that the group had required servers to share tips with managers — a violation — and recovered over US $117,000 in back wages and damages for 70 workers across their restaurants.
That kind of legal and reputational pressure may have contributed to tightening economics or operational strain — which, combined with higher costs in Hawaiʻi, shifting tourism patterns, or other unknown factors, could have made continued operation unsustainable. But this is speculation — the closure notice did not cite labor issues or financial hardship.

👥 What this means for staff and regulars

Your concierge’s reaction — surprise, concern for staff livelihoods — is shared by many locals and regular customers. The closure likely impacts a community of long-time staff, vendors, and regular diners who considered these spots part of Waikiki’s restaurant fabric. The abruptness seems to have left many feeling “in the dark,” contributing to frustration and sympathy for staff.

🔍 What to watch / What to do now

If you’re visiting Waikiki and were hoping to dine at one of these — don’t count on it; they are listed as closed.
If you wondered whether “maybe it’s temporary or relocating,” the official closure wording leans toward permanent. But the landlord (hotel / resort property) may eventually lease out the space to a new concept — so the address might host a new restaurant later.
If you know staff (friends, contacts) who worked there — you could follow D.K. Restaurant Group’s communications or alumni social-media groups; sometimes staff re-group in new venues or other restaurants locally.

💭 My take on what might have happened (but not confirmed)

Given the 2022 labor-law issue, combined with likely rising operational costs (food, labor, rent in Waikiki), it’s plausible that the economic pressure — perhaps exacerbated by lingering tourism fluctuations — made the business unsustainable. The closure may have been the result of a “perfect storm,” rather than a single cause. But without a detailed public statement, we won’t know for sure.

D.K. Steakhouse and Sansei Waikiki

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