East Honolulu and the windward side were possibilities when Daniel Young considered expanding his family business — Young’s Fish Market — until the west side provided the right opportunity.
About 18 months ago, the former Kua Aina space became available in Kapolei Commons (if you can’t keep your Kapolei shopping centers straight, this is the one with Target).
“Once I saw it I was drawn to it,” Young said. The space required little work, aside from some general sprucing up. “You don’t fall into these types of things that often.”
The new Kapolei restaurant could start serving Young’s extensive Hawaiian menu any day now, pending a final city permit. A grand opening is set for Monday.
Young’s grandparents, Wilfred and Charlotte Young, opened their fish market on Liliha Street in 1951. Eventually the company expanded to two more locations and restaurant service, but since the mid-2000s has been concentrated in City Square Shopping Center in Kapalama.
Although Young’s catering operation has been growing, Kapolei is the first new physical location in nearly 20 years.
What’s next? Young, who owns the company with his sister, Andrea, says he would like to take Young’s to the mainland, perhaps to Las Vegas.
The market has a shipping operation, its full menu available via FedEx, but Young said shipping costs deter many potential customers. Shipping from a central mainland kitchen would keep those costs down. “There’s definitely a lot of demand for it.”
Hours in Kapolei will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, until 6 p.m. on Sundays. Call 312-1377.
— Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser
LCC’S L’ULU BENEFITS SCHOOL
Leeward Community College wraps up its 50th anniversary celebration with L’ulu, an annual gala benefitting the school’s culinary program.
Festivities take place from 6 to 9 p.m. May 4 in the courtyard lawns under the stars, featuring dishes created by 12 guest chefs, as well as the school’s students.
Music and cocktails will be reminiscent of LCC’s birth year, 1968, and the venue will be decked out in gold tones.
Chefs will include some who have been with the event for years, such as Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi, and a number of new friends, among them Robynne Maii of Fete and Chuck Wakeman of Butcher & Bird.
Tickets are $100 through Sunday; $125 after that. Call 455-0300 or 455-0567, or email fabiola@hawaii.edu.
