True ‘Blue’ delights from the depths of the sea

Opakapaka ($12.95)

Selling more than 10,000 pounds of shrimp a month, Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood Market has a history of serving the most excellent of these succulent crustaceans on Oahu.

Besides shrimp though, the company has also won over customers with its other menu favorites like fresh auction fish, and house-made burger patties used in local favorites like loco mocos and more. Even the fresh house-made tartar sauce has guests requesting jars of it to take home.

Among the delectable dishes served at Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood Market is Opakapaka ($12.95). Red snapper fillets are macadamia nut and panko encrusted. This item is made to order with a cilantro Asian sweet chili sauce.

Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood Market originated with co-creator chef Glenn Sakaguchi and his original recipes. Locations grew from the first Blue Water Shrimp Truck in Kahuku in 2005, and then in Haleiwa a year later. These trucks served succulent Kahuku shrimp to local residents and visitors alike. At that time, the food truck industry was at an all-time high and business was booming.

The brand grew and gradually increased to a total of 10 trucks, establishing themselves all over Oahu, including Kahaluu, Salt Lake, Waimanalo, Aiea, Mililani, Kalihi, Waikiki and more, shares Melanie Marshall, vice president of marketing.

The company also participates with events as large as the Sony Open.

teak and Shrimp ($15.95)

In 2013, Blue Water Shrimp opened its first restaurant location as a vendor at the Ala Moana Shopping Center Makai Food Court.

Seeing the company’s success, Hilton Hawaiian Village approached the business, and the Rainbow Bazaar Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood Market at the resort became a reality.

Now, the family company is owned and operated by the next generation of brothers Marshall and Gilbert Sakaguchi II who pioneered the brick-and-mortar locations at Ala Moana Shopping Center and Hilton Hawaiian Village.

However, they also sought to return to their roots in the food truck industry and the business currently has a location at NEON Market Place at Pearlridge Center, which is also a food truck village. It has expanded to the company’s newest venture with the Hawaiian Cultural Center at Kakaako — located at the Old Fishermen’s Wharf — which includes Blue Water Shrimp and Seafood Market, Da Spot Healthy foods and juices, and Big Island Fish & Poi, a concept of Blue Water Shrimp and Seafood Market.

Having an eye for potential, the Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood owners also scouted a location on the corner of Kuhio Avenue and Kanekapolei and the spot is currently developing into a full-fledged farmers-market area.

“The future of Blue Water Shrimp is bright, keep an eye out for one in your neighborhood!” says Marshall.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Among the company’s popular items are the Steak and Shrimp ($15.95), featuring those famous shrimp sauteed in homemade garlic butter. They are served alongside a generous portion of grilled Harris Ranch Top Sirloin Steak. All plates are served with white or brown rice, green salad or potato salad and corn.