A Hole In One

Char Siu Chicken Katsu ($8)

Hidden along a sloping hillside in Aiea, Newtown Golf Driving Range has been giving kamaaina more reasons to visit than just hitting a few golf balls since 2011.

Newtown Drive Inn is home to many local favorites, such as pastele stew, hamburger steak and smoked meat. And though its tasty flavors will remain, a lot is about to change for the eatery, as it welcomes new owner Alan Watanabe.

Watanabe, who also has been the owner of Sumo Drive-Inn & Catering for the past 13 years, is excited to bring more success to New-town Drive Inn. Aside from expanding on the restaurant’s popularity, he hopes to create a more stable clientele by pedaling bentos ($4-$8) around the community and spreading word about the restaurant’s changes, with help from the golf course.

A PAR-FECT MEAL

With more to come, the only details Watanabe is letting out at this point is an exciting addition to Newtown’s menu. Char Siu Chicken Katsu ($8) may have been created by accident, but there’s no mistaking its delicious chicken marinated in char siu sauce, battered with panko and deep-fried. It’s served with brown gravy or katsu sauce, and Watanabe describes it as “something new with a twist.”

Newtown Drive Inn

98-330 Kaahele St., Aiea
487-3363
Daily, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.