Luis Silva is a new dad and new business owner. His restaurant is the new kid on the block in the heart of Haleiwa.
"I consider it like a fresh Mexican eatery with a hint of some spanish foods," says Luis Silva.
Luis Bueno's has only been open 8 weeks. A sign the restaurant sector is rolling out of a recession.
The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) points out Hawaii's unemployment rate has dropped to it's lowest level in a year - 6.7% in April.
"Before I got a job with Luis I was unemployed for 6 months so it was kind of tough," says JG Gregory, manager.
From the kitchen to the front of the house Luis Bueno's has hired a full set of staff. Even giving an eager teen his first job.
"When I heard he was opening a restaurant where Rosie's used to be I went right over there and asked him eh can I get a position or something," says Tiger Doerner, Busser.
Doerner is working his way up starting as a Busser. With a worker's permit from the Department of Labor.
"Yeah cause I'm almost 16 and I have to get a car pretty soon so gotta work some money some how," says Doerner.
UHERO's economic forecast predicts it will take years before the state recovers from the 40,000 jobs lost since the recession began in 2007. But the report reveals Hawaii's economy is on the re-bound.
"So we weren't looking at 'what if's', we're going ahead and knowing this country has prospered thru these tough times," says Silva.
Silva predicts as the number of visitors to Hawaii grows so will business.
"They're saying record number of tourists from all over are coming to Hawaii so it's great, looking forward to it. I saw it yesterday it was busy all day long," says Silva.
The UHERO forecast says it could be another three years before the economy bounces back to where it once was.
