A floating bar and restaurant service on Vava’u island in Tonga has raised safety measure concerns and what appeared to be a lack of a proper certification process.
Police recently visited the Hide Away floating business service in Neiafu waters after Neiafu Town Officer Vāvā Lapota inquired about the service’s legal status.
Lapota told Kaniva News that he was concerned about reports of alcohol being sold within the floating service.
He said the process of offering a license for such a business must include him providing a letter of authorisation to the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development.
He said he had just spotted the bar floating in the water last week and was surprised because he had not been approached about whether they had applied for an operating license.
Lapota said he had also contacted the Ministry of Health about the Hide Away floating bar. He was allegedly told that the business operator had made inquiries, but the Ministry has not yet issued a certificate.
“The legal process must include authorisation from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Police and the town officer”, Lapota said.
The town officer said he talked to the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development and asked about the Hideaway Café’s legal status. He was allegedly told about the process, including the requirement to provide a letter.
“The letter from the town officer must indicate whether they agreed for the business to be operated in the village or not.”
Lapota voiced his concerns regarding the well-being of the bar patrons and the cleanliness of the Neiafu water.
The government Ministries could not be reached for comment.
Operator’s response
Charlett Millen, one of the Hide Away business and services owners, said they are the “only fully licensed floating restaurant” in Tonga.
“We adhere to the same stringent licensing and permit requirements as all other liquor-serving establishments in Tonga, in addition to extra regulations from Infrastructure and Ports & Marine authorities”, she told Kaniva News.
She said they take measures to ensure that their business is actively preserving the environment.
“We diligently follow protocols, including a regularly updated rubbish removal and disposal log, and we welcome surprise inspections. To date, we are proud to say we have never received negative feedback”.
Safety measures
Charlett said that The Hideaway Café’s floating bar is equipped with a comprehensive set of safety measures to ensure the well-being of its patrons.
“When it comes to safety, The Hideaway Cafe is well-prepared”.
She said one of the business owners, Barry Millen, “known locally as Bear,” has been a certified lifeguard “since the age of 17 in Canada.”
“We also have life jackets on board, a requirement introduced by the Neiafu Police last year. Additionally, 95% of our guests live on yachts year-round, arriving at the restaurant by their own emergency boats. All our guests are experienced swimmers, often more skilled than we are!”
She said the floating bar also has “a floating trampoline attached, which provides extra flotation support”.
“Our restroom uses a closed composting system with coconut coir. Waste is securely transferred to our home, where it completes the composting process in a sealed unit. After at least a year, the compost is used in our garden. Similarly, liquid waste is collected and disposed of in our home septic system. Given the size of our establishment, these processes are swift, efficient, and discrete.
“We proudly maintain a strict no-plastic policy. We handcraft our own paper straws and food containers to prevent plastic from ever entering the water. Additionally, we use glassware, which poses no threat to the environment—though not a single glass has ever fallen in.
“The Hideaway Cafe is fully off-grid, powered entirely by a solar energy system that ensures our food is stored at the correct temperature in a solar-powered refrigerator. Even our icemaker is supplied by an onboard rainwater catchment system, which provides filtered water for drinking and washing.
Charlett has invited “anyone who may have questions about The Hideaway Cafe’s safety and compliance” to visit and personally inspect their facility.
“We are confident that your visit will provide reassurance and peace of mind. “
She said the Police had visited the bar on Monday.
The Hideaway floating bar and restaurant was launched in September 2023. It has been open since May 2024, and as with every year, the operators plan to remove it from the water in November 2024 at the end of the season.
